The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1911-06-10
NEVADA PRESS COMMENT
Publicity That Hurts Nevada

Suit has been filed against the no
torious William Ii. Schnitzer, father
Of the facile divorce law. charging sub.
ornation OF perjury in procuring a
decree for q client who produced
bunch Of rent receipts which purported
to represent her legal residence in the
colony that has brought shame to the
State of Nevada.
This sustains the prediction of the
Tribune during the session of the last
term Of the Legislature wherein it was
stated that the encouragement vouch.
safed Divorces would sooner or later
undermine the morals OF the com
muniiy where they were practced. II
is not a question OF right or wrong in
this particular case as much as it is a
travesty on the dignity snd integrity OF
the courts. Since the latter permitted
wide latitude in the fling and proving
Of complaints it is the natural sequence
that some of these complainants would
take undue advantage OF the law by
smuggling through gauzy cases that
would scarcely endure the light of day.
Elsewhere in Nevada the courts have
endeavored to surround divorce COM
plants with such safeguards as discre-
ton might dictate. but Reno, in lite
capacity as the chief city Of the State.
the one most easily approached and
with many scenic and physical attrac-
tions, has preferred to cultivate the
divorce colony. This legal farming
has naturally placed premium on the
business OF separating dissenting
couples with the least amount Of fric-
tion but, notwithstanding every at.
tempt to harmonic differences, there
is a reign of jealousy and envy that
occasionally ferments into scandal.
The Tribune has always maintained
that the best way to preserve the senf-
blance of decency in the granting Of
divorces was to let in the light and give
the public chance to realize what is
going on. Instead OF contributing to
the cause Of deoency few of the courts
have pandered to the worst class OF
whilom residents by allowing them to
cloak their complaint behind the seal OF
secrecy. II the courts and the bar Of
Washoe County did not connive at this
form OF fling, the custom could not
exist for moment. The judges, in a
sickly way expressed their adherence
of the practice in stupidity vapid
opinion which threw all the response
bility ON a subordinate official. There
the matter ended.
II the courts of Washoe County want
to purify their calendars they must be.
gin by inviting the scrutiny OF CON-
plants. They must abolish secrecy and
leave all complaints open for public in
spection. This Is the only way to bring
about the square deal" and. until this
is done, the citizens Of Nevada will be
treated to other scandals as great, II not
greater, than this suit against Attorney
Schnitzer. II subornation OF perjury
has been committed, 1t is dollars to
douRhnuts that the former associate OF
of the notorious Abe Hummel is not the
only one to point the way to an imam
GUS prostitution Of the courts that slt In
Reno. Schnitzsr has been made the
scapegoat Of the Reno bar. He Is not
an archaugel but all the calcimine IN
the State could not conceal the hideous-
ness Of the conduct Of other less notori'
ous practitioners whose tactics would DO
credit to Beelzebub himself f.-Goldheld
Trihuna