Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1915-03-22
NEvADA.s SHAME IN CATHOLIC EYES

wouldbe Divorces ar relieved of hall their troubles by the latest
divorce enactment OF the. state OF Nevada-one Of the latest recruits to
Freeman,s Journal '(Catholc) has made February %, 1915, "a black
day Of shame that has pllored the executive and the majority of the
legislators of that state as willing to subordinate the sanciy Oft the home
to mercenary considerations" The legal residence of one year has for
a considerable time been demanded by Nevada of those who would in
woke the otherwise easy provisions of her divorce laws. Formerly her
period OF probation "a six months, and she tried the longer period
with apparently disastrous results IN lei own as veil as hr VISITORS
patience. "The home-breakers who hocked to Reno from all parts of
mans Journal The agitation to reduce the demands upon the petition
eB' patience a aided by hotel proprietors and shopkeepers Of Reno
who are charged with arguing that an easy divorce bHl' would "help
business" As the Journal proceeds:
1T a a eae of filthy luere versus the stability of homes, and
ncre carried the day. The community which will be benefited, in a
financial sense, by this unchan income is rejoicing we the prospect
of the money that will flow into it in consequence of the breaking up
of thousands OF homes The following press dispatch speaks for itself
"RENO, New. February Ex-Governor Boyle signed the easy di-
vorce' bill at SIS this afternoon, after waiting four days to take acti'"
"The state, and particularly Reno. gave its first sigh OF relief to
night and jublaion reigns
1.-The new bill amends the law 50 as to restore the residence re-
quirement OF six months instead OF the one-year clause.
Its effects open the way Immediately for the revival OF the colony
in Reno, and Reno is preparing for it
""The state, and particularly Reno, a its first sigh of relief to-
night and jubhation reigns' What a train of thoughts is started BIZ
these words. JubHadon reisns-Why? Do they who are jubnating
think for a moment of the thousands of orphaned children, OF the homes
made deso1ate, of the blasted lives of men and women who had sol
EMMY plehted their faith g n another when they pronounced their
by the undermining of the very foundation OF social order. namely, the
family? If they do. they must indeed. be heartless to rejoice W the
prospect OF adding to their wealth at such a cost to humanity"
This letting down OF the bars, observes this Catholic paper, should
have the effect Of calling attention nee more to the moral gangrene
that is eating its way into the vitals of the nation" For,
"t presen there is in the United States n divorce for e>ery
twelve marriages. That statement of itself should have the effect Of
impressng all true lovers of their country with a sense Of absolute need
for curtihng the spread of the evil the state of Nevada is just nw fos-
terng. 1t is imperative that legislative restrictions o n enforcement,
instead of being Felaxed, should be increased. 1t is too/much to expect
that all the states OF the Union ar take the Catholic view O the sane
hy and indissoubity OF the marital ties. At present South Carolina
is the only state in which that view is enforced by atute law. When a
South Carohnian, whether a man or woman, plghts his or her faith at
the marriage ceremony, he or she knows that the law of South Carolina
will insist that the persons $50 pighted shall carry ot the mauiage o
tract till death intervenes. No South Carolnians are found in the Reno
divorce colonies. These colonies would have n o existence if the noble
example set by the Palmetto. state were followed by her sister common
weaths.
"In the absence OF such desirable imitation, the various states OF
the Union could make their laws relating to divorce far more stringent
than they are at present Catholics "a be counted upon to help on that
Catholics, whatever might be their political affiliations, would be bound
in conscience to vote against a political party favoring divorces made
easy 1t would be a case in which religious convictions would take prec-
edence OF party feahy"