Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-03

this information. He quoted figures show
ing the number Of divorces per 10000 of
population. They were:
Japan .....:....'.'..'..........
United states ......................,,.,... 70
SWIleTIand '.'..s............,....... ~
Graance 2S
GerAny ...,'.,;;...'..'''....'.... 10
England and Wales...., 2
He gave the commission much other in
terestlng information concerning divorce in
the United States.
Divorce tn United States.
1t appeared to be fairly well established
he said, that at the present time one mar
riage in every fifteen, or possibly sixteen,
in tho United States would ultimately be
dissolved by divorce. In all the states
adultery was ground for divorce, but in
dependently of adultery, there was
variety OF other grounds. Desertion and
cruelty, in varying forms and degrees
were common grounds of divorce. In six
teen states the deserton need be for only
one year; in seven states it must be for
two years. and In one state for five years
Cruelty was a cause in nearly every state
and in some OF the states "outrages rem
dering life together insupportable," in
dignities rendering condition intolerable,"
personal abuse or conduct rendering life
burdensome," and treatment endangerng
health or reason were also specified
grounds.
In thirty-five states habitual drunken
ness was cause for divorce. In a very
large majority of the states conviction
for felony was a ground.
Minor Causes.
In five states conviction for felony prior
10 marriage and unknown to the other
party. and in one OF the states the fact
that a spouse was fugitive from justice,
was sufficient cause. Associated with
drunkenness in some OF the states was
habitual addiction to various drugs, such
as opium morphia and choral Insanity
In varying degrees from mental incapacity
TO incurable lunacy, was a cause in nine
states, Vasrancy was ground in two
states, and neglect to provide for the wife
and children of the marriage was a cause
in nineteen states. In Louisiana public
defamation of one party by the other" in
Florida violent temper" and Ia Kentucky
violent and ungovernable temper" were
causes In Kentucky, New Hampshire and
Massachusetts, the Joining OF a religious
sect or society which believed, or pro-
fessed to believe, that the relation between
husband and wife void or unlawful was q
ground for divorce.
Despite the widespread belief in England
to the contrary. In no state was incom.
patibility, Of temperament" a cause for dI.
vorce, with tho possible exception of IN,
state OF Washington, where the statue an.
thoriSed the court to grant a decree wher
II should be satisfied that for any cause
tho parties could no longer live together
In two, at least, OF the states divorc,
operated automatically, and without tn,
institution OF legal proceedings. therefore
in case of a sentence TO imprisonment 10,
life.
No Concern of Public,
The view was spreading, he said. that n
an unhappily married couple desired I,
have their marriage dissolved II WAS 8
matter which was peculiarly their own at
fair, and one with which the public had
nothing to do. or nearly 100000 divorces
only about 10 per cent were defended a.
was of the opinion that the frequency a
divorce in the United States and the grow,
ing Indifference to the duty and obliga
tion OF marriage were primarily due Il
the fact that marriage In America wa
defined by statute to be merely a civi
contract and that no form OF solemnizln,
the ceremony was provided or required
There were too many causes for diyors
In America and too few in England. m
health of the race from a eugenic nom
OF view, was imperiled by obliging
woman to live in marital relations with
husband who was confirmed drunkard
or was subject to recurring attacks OF IN
sanity, or who had in him the seeds OF a
incurable disease. When the strain I
which either spouse was subject by In
continuous cruelty OF the other IA
reached the breaking point, it was wis,
not only in the interests OF the partie
themselves, but OF the state and the churc
that the law should Intervene.
Not n Sign of immortality.
Mr.. Crane added that the greater nun
Der OF divorce cases In the United State
as compared with England did not mea
that there was greater immortality i'm IN
States. 1t was due rather TO the levtt
with which people regarded marriage. an
besal laxity as to the marriage tie.
j. A, Barrett, another American ba,
rister. thought the comparative chea-
ness Of divorce I'm the States was the a
rect means OF avoiding a great deal OF !,
regularity. The statement that one ma,
Tlage In fifteen was likely to be dissolve
was, true only SO far as registered ma
riages, were concerned. but there W.,
thousands OF marriages which were nevs
registered at all, so that the figure wa
misleading. The causes OF divorce WEI
as numerous and liberai,tn other countri.
as In the United States. In Formos
''ioQuAoity" was a cause OF divorcing
wife.