The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-07-08
DIVORCE AS CENSUS SHOWS 1T
An Error to Assume That the Cure Of
Drift Is In Legislation. m
From the Century.

From the Century.
The census figures dissipate many
false impressions. 1t is often assumed
that many couples separate precipi-
lately before they have given marriage
a fair trial; but the average interval
before separation exceeds six and one
half years, and Is not diminishing.
Since more than half the couples live
together above four years, while In the
majority OF cases the duration Of mar
rage exceeded seven years, it would
be rash to surmise that people are
forming risky and unstable unions in
full view of their easy dissolution.
Nor Is divorce usually sought in or
der to remarry. In Connecticut during
a period OF years, the number of d.
vorced persons married was about 40
per cent OF the number divorced in the
same time. In Rhode Island, from 1889
to 1896, the proportion was only 20
per cent. Remarriage is one OF those
cases In which, as DR.. Johnson puts 1t
hope 'triumphs oyer experience" and
IL Is not all certain that the rate for
divorced persons much exceeds that
for widows and widowers of the same
age. Certainly the restrictions that
many states are imposing on remar-
rage do not seem to affect appreciably
the divorce rate.
1t is doubtful IL one divorce in 20
is obtained by migrating to a liberal
state. A divorce colony" at Sioux
Falls or Cheyenne obscures the fact
that divorce has descended among the
plain people. few of whom can afford
to seek relief outside their own state.
1t Is erroneous to suppose that the
explanation and cure OF the drift to-
ward divorce is to be found in legisla-
tton. Twenty years ago Professor Will
cox, On the basis OF the most rigid in
vestigations. declared, THE immedi-
ate, direct and measurable influence
OF legislation Is subsidiary, unimpor-
tant, almost imp~erceptible." DR.. Dixie,
the secretary of the National League
for the Protection OF the Family, said:
The direct influence Of lax laws in
producing the great increase Of divorce
In the last 40 years is relatively small"
Moreover, the tendency OF legislation
for the last 20 years has been decided
ly in the direction OF greater strin-
gency.
The failing grip of the legal insti-
tuition need not entail q corresponding
abandonment OF the hallowed ideal Of
marriage as a lifelong union. II the
iron clamp be loosed, II does not fol-
low that the silken cord Is weaker. AL
though In 3S years the resort to d.
vorce has become three times as fire.
quen, there Is little to show hat cou-
pies are taking the VOWS of wedlock
with any other desire or expectation
than union till death. Nor can we con-
clude hat wronged spouses are less
faithful than formerly to this ideal.
The loveless couples of the good old
times" appear to have been held to-
gether by public opinion, religious or
dinance, ignorance of a remedy, the
expense OF divorce or the wife's econ
omic helplcssness, rather than by a
heroic fidelity to an ideal.
In 10 cases Of out 20 the marriage
purports to be shattered by some
fragrant wrong, such as adultery, cru
city, drunkenness, desertion, impris-
onment for crime or neglect to provide.
Nevertheless the growth OF divorce
cannot be taken as a sure sign of in
creasing d~epravity on the part OF hus-
bands or wives. Often the cause"
that figures In the record Is q screen,
for some deep seated irritant. Physi-
clans declare that many marital trou-
bles have their rooeJ In the pathology
OF sex, and do rot argue moral fault
on the part OF either spouse.
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