Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-09-09
CONDITIONS
ALARM

The recent startling announce ment made by the government statis- tician, that here have been three thousand divorces granted in this county in the past twenty years, has been subject for much discus sion, in view of the fact that many statements regarding the divorce evil were kindly submitted to the Graphic readers by local ministers, who have given the subject much study. It is true that three-fourths of the decrees were issued to negroes, but the other fourth or about two- thirds were granted to what Chancel- Tor Elliott terms a floating popula- tion.' =
 The ministers of Pine Bluff and elsewhere have discussed the divorce evil for many years. They all have their different views on the subject, but in almost each instance the preachers declare that marriages should not be performed by magis-
 
 monies are devoid of the sacredness that should surround couple at such a serious time. It is the intention of almost every leader of a congrega ton in Pine Bluff to discuss this di- vorce evil in his pulpit within the next few weeks, Chancellor Elliott having addressed a communication to each of them for consideration, cit ing the grounds that warrant divorce decrees in this state and informing them of the number of decreeS that have been entered on the records in this county in the past twenty years.
 W. D. Buckner. L.L. D.
 In my opinion" said Reverend W. D. Buckner. rector of Trinity Epis- copal church. this morning, the di- vorce evil could be remedied to a great extent if marriage ceremonies were conducted exclusively by minis ;ers of the various churches.
 When marriages are performed in a justice court they are looked on as civil contracts, which the princi- pals believe can be broken at any time The position of the Episcopal church in cases of divorce and mar riages is decisive, in that no person who has been divorced can be mar ried again, except the innocent party and that must be on spiritual grounds. I can. see no harm in elope- ments if the couple loves each other. I have never performed a marriage ceremony for any person who did not have a license duly issued from the court house. Whenever minor has been married by me, the consent of one parent has always been neces- sary before such license was secured. Oftentimes I have called up the pa rent, in addition to the fact that knew the consent of the parent had been given, to get their consent by word of mouth.
 As to elopements, if the couple is of age the parents have no right to object and if they are not of age, it must be necessary for one of the pa rents to give consent before the li- cense is secured. Any minister, in my judgment, who is presented with such a license in either of the above cases, is perfectly justified in solz emnizing the rite.
 "The report of the government , Ilstatistician does the white popula- tion of Jefferson county a great in- justice, in that it does not segregate the divorce cases found in the record here. The people abroad do not know that three-fourths of the divorces is sued in this county were issued to negroes. It leaves them under. the wrong impression. The report should be segregated
 Reverend T. Y. Ramsey.
 "I feel that the divorce evil is a matter that demands universal and immediate attention," said Reverend T. Y. Ramsey, of the First Methodist church, when interviewed. The con- ditions are alarming It is matter that strikes the root of the family. There should be uniform divorce law It should be drastic I am not Competent to say what the features in it should be. There should be more care in the issuance of marriage li censes. The ministers and not mag istrates should perform ceremonies.