New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-04
DIVORCE AT u. OF P.
TRUSTEE RESIGNS.
UaIter q. Smith Refuses to
Accept Vie5cs of Professor.


Philadelphia. Dec. 3.-A mild sensation
was sprung here to-day when announce
ment was made that Walter George
Smith. a prominent attorney. had re-
signed as a member OF the board of trus-
tees OF the University of Pennsylvania
because OF a difference OF opinion be-
tween himself and other members of the
board over the appointment OF pro-
fessor who held certain views on the
question Of divorce.
Mr. Smith was quite prominent in the
recent movement 10 make the laws gov
eruing divorce uniform throughout the
United States. He comes Of a distin-
Iuished family and was selected by Arch
bishop Ryan 10 speak for Philadelphia
Catholics At the Catholic Congress at the
Worlds Fair in Chicago
The official announcement issued by
Provost Harrison Of the university
stated that Mr.. Smith found IT impos-
sible to concur with his colleagues in
matter Of educational policy"
Mr. Smith also issued a statement. in
which he said that he presented his res
ignation in May last and that it was ac-
cepted at the November meeting Of the
board.
He further said that he resigned be-
cause Of a difference OF opinion as TO the
Yropriety Of the election of Or. L. p.
Lichtenberger as an associate professor.
His objections 10 DR.. Lichtenberger, he
said. were not based upon any limitation
Of personal character or ability, but be-
cause Of views expressed by him a. a
meeting Of the American Sociological
Society in Atlantic City last year. The
views referred 10 We're upon paper by
Professor George Z. Howard. Of the
University Of Nebraska. entitled is
Freer Divorce an Evil2"
Mr.. Smith declared that he was OF the
opinion that the views held by Dr.
Lichtenberger were not such as could
properly be held by a professor in the
university, in the department dealing
especially with sociological questions
In the publication Of the American
Sociological Society, which Mr.. Smith in
his statement refers 10. DR.. Lichten-
berger is quoted as saying.
We might as well seek TO stop suicide
10y prOhibltive legislation as divorce.
I he sane method, as Professor Howard
has indicated, Is constructive treatment
II the causes rather than destructive
treatment Of the results
Maria &c in the aspect We are discuss
ing is the legal sanction OF the social
custom Of the family. II is dependent
upon law neither for its institution nor
for its perpeJuatiOn We need 10 get rid
OF the fear that the family VIII disinte-
CRATE unless held together by law. The
In vii fs-Te
as the necessities Of life require with
scant regard for our laws on the subject.
If these CONGRATULATIONS are approx
mately correct, then Il is certainly clear
that the actual compelling forces in the
sphere Of religion and ethics are not
ecclesiastical enactment and reactionary
clerical resolutions which represent the
conservative influences in the Church,
but those which reside in the nature of
our modern social intellectual and re-
ligious life.
DR.. Lichtenberger came 10 the Uni
versity OF Pennsylvania from the New
York School Of Philanthropy.
DIT Edward 7. Devine. general secretary
OF the Charity ORGANIZATION Society. which
conducts the New York School OF Philan-
thropy. ar which DR.. Lichtenberger studied
az a fellow. said last night that the Penn
sylvania professor had not studied the di-
vorce situation while working under him,
but had made popular amusement his main
subject
His general attitude always seemed
very sensible. and he is q man of high
character said DR.. Deviue HIS y4ews
on divorce which have come 70 my notice
were expressed in Judicial manner and
were those rather Of q slatisJiciau than Of
one recommending sweeping changes
lie always felt that the number Of di-
vCrces granted did lot by any means req
resent the amount Of the evil. as there
might De many harmful and miserable con-
ultl1us where there would Ouiv be q few
divorces. However 7 know that d.. IAch-
rtUbeTger = not man who would adr0-
Gale any breaking up Of the home.
Mr. Smith Is an able man. and 7 am ex-
CeedlCgiy sOrEv II conditions have been
such that le decided ne could no longer
remain trustee Of the University OF Penn
sVlEsui3 "