The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-26
DIVORCES in JERSEY
NEWARK HEADS THE LIST
WITH 1856 CASES..
Hard to Satisfy Courts of Cruelty.
Material for Probihitionists, Which
They Intend to Use.

TRENTON, Aug. 26.-Statistics show
that extreme cruelty formed the basis
for only three divorce DEGREES granted
in 1906 against 405 granted for deser-
ton and 1872 for infidelity. There were
1.O04 petitions for divorce filed during
the year, the major portion of which
alleged cruelty.
One thing shown by the figures is
that cruelty is something the court
does not admit until 1t has been thor
oughly proven. Desertion is more
J easily proven, and the court holds that
opportunity and disposition needs only
to be proven in the infdelity cases.
Those who have been in the divorce
courts say thai the hardest thing
to get in New Jersey is a divorce on
the ground of cruelty. The Vice-Chan-
cellors and special masters do not look
with eager eyes on domestic spats. al
though they are quick to jump at infi-
deity and desertion.
With New Jersey in line with three
or four other States in passing the
| uniform divorce law its effect on the
divorce mill will be interesting when
it can be watched next year. Up to
the present time, the uniform divorce
law not going into effect until January
4 next, COS petitions for divorce have
been filed since January l, 1907. This
is an increase in the number OF petit
tons.
The figures for last year show that
two-thirds. of the DEGREES of divorce for
desertion were granted to wives, n
one-half of the DEGREES on the ground
of infdelity were also granted to them.
Regarding the new uniform divorce
law. some comment is being made rela-
tive TO the decree nisi, which is given at
the end of the hearing or jury trial, and
which does not become operative as a
final decree until six months after, In
order that the losing party may have
an opportunity to appeal to the Court
of Errors.
This question has given rise to much
thought whether the final decree be-
comes operative at the filing of the de-
cree mini or six months after the sign
ing the final decree. Some counselors
contend that the final decree should
date from the signing of thesdecree n1si,
and If that be SO upon the late OF
the filing of the absolute decree the Pc
titioner is free to marry at once. 10
this view many jurists dissent, holding
that the petitioner is not free to enter
again into the marriage state until SIX
months from the date of h hling OF
the absolute decree, making practically
a double probationary period.
Regarding the DEGREES granted last
wear. ntemperance caused about 81 pei
cent. of them, and these figures have
been taken by the Prohibitionists and
will be used in the next Legislature in
%support OF another local option meas
ure.
The number of residents divorced In the
various cities of the State last year fol
lows:
Atlantic City. 10; Asbury Park, 8; At
llantic Highlands, 2; ~Bordentown. l; Beivi'
dere, Q; Bridgeton, IS; Boonton, 2; Bay
onne, 8; burlington, 4; Camden, 81; Cape
May, /; Cape M3y Court House l; Dover
Q; Elizabeth, 70; Englewood, 3; Eatontown
IL: Frcnchtown, 2; Pennington, l; Iioboken
10: Hackcnsack, s; Hackettstown. 1; Jer-
sew City, IS; Lambertville, 2; Long Branch
q; Lakewood, 3; Millvil >. 6; Morristowh, 8
Montclair, /; Mount Holly, 4; Newark, 1876
New Brunswick, s: Newton, 2; Orange, 2
Paterson, S.; Plaintield. 8; Passaic.r7; PERTH
Amboy, 4, Princeton. /; Phillipsburg, Z
Red Bank, 4; Rutherford. 1; Somerviie. 9
Salem, 8; Summit, 1; Schooley's Mountain
i sussex, l., IrenIOH, 90, 1OWu VI OAioh
2; Westheld, /; West Hoboken, 4; Wash
ington, 5; Woodstown, l.
This makes the total number Of DEGREES
of absolute divorce granted In 1906, 81.
The number OF divorces granted eacf
year from 1890 to 1905 follow:
1890, 2S8; 1891, 31s; 1892, 346; 1893, 1868; 1894
S78; 1895, 397: 1896. 800; 1897, S72; 1898, 449
1899, Asst, 1900, 512; 1901, 5O2; 1902, SCI; 1903
$50; 1904, 569; 1905, 629.
Intemperance has resulted in many di
vorce cases in New Jersey. Thousands o
petitions filed in the Court of CHANGER,
show that the grounds for seeking a de
cree was tbs direct or indirect result o
intemperance. Desertion is due in man,
instances to the evil of over-indulgence IL
intoxicants, whether by the wife or hus
band.
The number of petitions filed during TIL
year 1907 jumped from in January, IS, t.
lis in June. Those in the other month
were: February, 20; March, 10; April. 9S
May. 40. The present month has beel
in no wise bashful, as up to the presen
time $50 persons have signifed by tn
filing Of their applications In the CouT
of Chancery that the single state woul,
| l.. ~o~uo - kt1tr ItIrt.-