Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-26
Regulating Divorce Are
Considered at Portland.
Uniform Laws as to Divorces
and Return Of Statistics
Are Also Proposed--wiIl Be Second
Draft Next Year.

~ Portland, Me-, Aug. 25.-The COM
fnissioners on uniform state laws met
at the Falmouth hotel Saturday morn
ing and resumed their discussion of the
draft of a proposed uniform law to
uroyide for the return of statistics of
marriage and divorce.
The draft of law came to the COM
missioners from the national congress
on divorce, and was rewarded by some
8 s5of the commissioners as the most i'm
portant proposed legislation referred
to them, and by them to be sent to
u the several states with their indorse-
ment.
William George Smith Of Philadcl-
phia had the previous day championrd
the draft for the proposed law. was
recognized by Pres. Eaton, and sup
ported it in Il long and very able
speech.
He resumed his discussion of the
draft whore he left off at the close of
!. the previous session. and explained it
Iggsscction by section. Mr. Smith DEFEND
~ ed the proposed law. He said that the
IN there arc times when it is better for
ri all concerned for the courts to grant
4 a divorce to mismatcd couples He
{ s moved the adoption of the report and
i, his motion was seconded by Peter ".
81 Meldrim of Georgia.
4 Pres Eaton supported the motion OF
Mr.. Smith.
Robert l.. Taylor Of Indiana thought
~ IL
y law could hardly be bcttcr"d. He asked
that thc commissioners vote on the pro-
posed bill section by section This was
opposed by John G. Richbcrg of Illinois
j who thought that the time had come
to act. and who did not see any hope
that the bill would be improved on in
the short time the commissioners could
devoteAto it.
ON motion of Francis r. James of
Ohio. the report Of the committee or
marriage and divorce was received ana
the commissioners then adout,d the
recommendation inade by the commit
tee through William George Smith of
Philadelphia, that it be approved by
the commissioners and sent to the sew
rral states. Mr.. Smith explained that
The law can only be regarded as Il frame
M"rl, 10 be built upon by the states
With the proposed uniform divorce
law. the frame work to he built upon
" tn" states as Mr.. Smith said. sent
by til" congress On divorce to the COM
sl mission, rs. wcr" the following rrstrir-
II tions On hasty and ill-consid"rcd mar
y riages
Il. "A-An application for Il marrag"
~ license should be made f" the proper
officials Il sufficient time in advance Of
y the issuance Their, of, to Civ" III least
H two weeks notice Of the application.
"R Such Application should state n"
fun names of the parties and their re-
1. spectiva places of residence.
s. "C-That the official to whom the ar
n pcatiun is made shall cause to br
ssgven notice by publication in some
~ newspaper of general circulation pub
! llshed in the county. if any. 10y at least
{ one insertion two weeks prior to iSSu
q ancc of the license. which notice Sail
, state the fun names of The parties and
I their respective places Of residence.
1aa"D-No license shall issue in any
county other than the domicilc "f on"
aof the applicants.
.E-No license shall issue where
either applicant is Il minor. without
the written consent duly attcstcd If
parents or guardians.
F-Nn marriage shall be- Solcm-
hlzed without the presence of suitable
witnesses, nor except upon liccno"
duly issued"
Resolved. That is is the sense of
mis- conference that the committee on
marriage ana divorce take up actively
the consideration Of the question of:
FIRST Family GcScrtion and nom
support law. and
Sec"nd-A law regulating marriage
and licenses to marry and that the
Commute" aS soon as may be possible
report [" I'll" conference 4 tentative
form Of uniform law on each side If
mos" subjects. for the consideration
ct the conference"
The commissioners next took up and
r"hSid'rrd the proposed uniform law
l"r STOCK certificates. 1t provided for
we issuing, transferring. delivery. as
HIS"m"nt. delivery Of uHindorSCd Ger
"H'atcS promise to transfer. levy
AID attachment. creditors remedies to
reach certificates, lost or destroyed
''rlhcat,S. issue of now certificates
~ order Of the court ana legal drtini-
""hS. The proposed law is very long
ana goes into the mnutcSt details Of
stock certificates.
the commissioners considered tho
"rait and suggestions and referred it
10 committee for further conSidcra-
'"h. and a second draft will be sub
""'''d next year for adoption. The
commission, rs then adjourned.
me coal consumption head is
s''''er ~ England than Of any other
country