Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-11
WIVES Sinking
DUTIES CAUSE
Of DIVORCES
Avoidance of Motherhood Among
American Women Denounced by
Judge ExcuIpating Albanian.

remarkable arraignment of the
tendency of modern women to avoid
motherhood was delivered by Judge
n. Charles Burke, of Baltimore, in
dismissing the bill filed by Mrs Laura
F. Outlaw for permanent alimony
from her husband, Charles w. Out
law. who is in Atlanta on a regular
business trip.
Mr.. Outlaw is a former Albanian
and at one time made his home in the
southern part of the State He said
last night that his case, because of
the circumstances involved and the
striking language of Judge Burke in
rendering his decision, had attracted
attention all over the country. The
decision, which constituted a com
plete vindication of the husband said
in part:
Wife shirks Duties.
II can not escape the conviction
from a careful consideration Of all the
evidence in this case, that the really
great cause OF the trouble between
these young people was the failure of
the wife to appreciate the duties and
responsibilities Of the married life and
to face them with a proper spirit. She
shrunk from them. She was unwtll-
ing to assume them. Her child, as
stated in one of her letters, stunned
her. She had an ever present fear of
again becoming a mother This dread
was great source of unhappiness to
her. If she had met her obligations
in the right spirit and the right sense
of duty and discharged we'll and faith
fully all her duties as a mother. her
character would have been strength
ened, her affections broadened and
refined. and for all the cares and
trials she might have endured in the
rearing and training of her children
she would have been compensated a
thousandfold. Unfortunately, she had
false notions on this question"
Motherhood a Crown.
In conclusion, Judge Burke says:
Motherhood is woman's highest
crown"
Mr.. Ferald, in his book. THE New
Womanhood," has said:
AN education of destruction is
sweeping wide and deep below the
surface of our social life. Fine houses,
fine furniture, fine raiment are pur-
chased by the slaughter of the inno-
cents, and the fact is a matter not of
shame, but of boasting. The advanced
American stalks about, proud as a
MQdoc chief in feathers and war
paint, but the scalps at her girdle are
those Of her own unborn offspring
When whole communities regard a
house full of children, however win
some and happy as a matter of gibe
and censure, and when reduction of
family becomes a great domestic
ambition. II ought to be said and
known that the desire and fact are
among the surest indications Of the
decline of races and OF nations II
the wife is not willing to discharge,
with a brave heart and in a right
spirit all of the duties Of the married
life, or if she has lost all love and all
respect for. her husband, she had bet
ter remain separated from him. But
If she retains some affection and re-
spect for him and is prepared to do
her full duty as wife and mother, and
he is willing to exhibit toward her
some of the old love, attention, con-
sideration and respect, and treat her
kindly and to provide for her rea-
sonablv comfortable home, il is inf
nitely better that they should let all
the unhappiness Of the past be for
gotten and begin their married life
anew"
a suit filed for a divorce previously
by Mrs. Outlaw was dismissed.
on the announcement of " Judge
Burke's decision. Mr.. outlaw at once
began Suit for $4,000 damages for
alienation Of his wife's affections
against his wife's mother on whom
he laid much of the blame for his do
nestle troubles.