The Washington herald., 1910-02-13
By EX-ATTACHE.

/ Popular sentiment among the English
speaking races runs very much along the
same lines where matters of principle
and moral welfare are concerned. Com
munity Of speech, and necessarily Of
literature. lead to perhaps unconscious
/ sympathy; in this sense. that they all
approach questions affecting honor. de-
cencysand home life from much the same
standpoint
/ II is therefore not altogether surpris-
/ ing that here lin the United States in
Great Britain and in Australia, the rep
/ resentatives OF the people, in difference
/ 10 public sentiment. are engaged In the
consideration Of the problem OF publicity
IN divorce proceedings. In Congress. at
Washington, bills have lately been intro
duced. one Of them by Representative
Murphy of Missouri to prohibit news
papers and other publications from print
| ing the details Of divorces and similar
cases. under the penalty Of imprison-
ment.
In England, royal commission has
been appointed by the King and govern
ment 10 deal with the question Of pub
lefty of divorce trials. and to. report 20
the crown and TO both Houses Of Parlia-
ment, as to whether any further legis-
lation is advisable, and with the view
OF restricting the press in the matter
And a committee OF the Federal Parlla-
ment of Australia has been appointed
for similar purpose.
Can Exclude Press
Before going any further il may be
as we'll to state that in England a Judge
has the power 10 order a case 20 be
heard in camera. excluding not only the
public. hut also the Representatives Of
the press from the trial and Furnishing
as contempt Of court any newspaper
that happens TO secure and publish de-
tails Of the affair through the indiscre-
ton OF one Of the lawyers. principals,
/ Of witnesses In the case.
But judges are always reluctant to
order a trial In camera, the very name
/ Of which conveys to the public mind an
/ impression OF something so indescribably
vile. foul. and unprintahle. as 10 cover
with a suspicion Of ignomiuy all those
1 concerned in the suit
With regard 10 America in a number
OF States Of the Union. the Judges are
entitled TO by statute 10 withhold the
testimony and the pleadings in a divorce
, case from the public, and even 40 seal all
{ the papers relating TO the action. so as
10 prevent their ever falling into hands
through which they might in after years
/ become known and get into print
This is left at the discretion Of the
judges: and without imputing TO them any
dishonorable motives. the fact remains
that their prerogative I'm this respect is
almost always exercised in favor Of the
very rich. the socially prominent. All the
influential; whereas people less fortunate
I " situated have to bear the brunt Of the
fullest kind Of publicity.
Impression a Bad One.
The very widespread impression which
prevails 10 the effect that the secrecy is
a purchasable commodity. at the service
l OF only those who are endowed with long
purses, OF equally long arms, and beyond
| the reach Of those in moderate circum-
stances. would cease, If the right OF
determining whether the details Of the
case should be published, or remain con-
cealed. were no longer left 10 the discre-
ton Of the judges. and If one law were
enacted which would be applicable not
only TO the rich. but also 10 the poor.
That popular sentiment in the United
States, Great Britain, and Australia. that
is 10 say, the best and most general kind