The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-14
DIVORCE, AND SOME COURT
 RULINGS ON THIS VITAL SUBJECT


1 observe that the conscience of the 'ublic, of the bench and of the bar eems awakening to this fundamental ocfal truth. Several state bar asso- fations have adopted rulings, bind ing upon ak members of the profes- sion which will operate to reduce fraudulent practices, and in a number )f states plan is proposed which requires an interval of from five to thirty days between the issuance of a license by the state and the marriage ceremony.
 Calling the Banns.
 In New York, Judge Alfred J. Talley of the court of general sessions has championed the need of this legisla- ton, and his words are well worth repeating. Writing for the New Y ork American, Judge Talley observes:
 'I do not say that this legislation would be panacea in domestic eases dockets, or that it would perform miracles with human nature, But am convinced that this is the one measure the state could take which nasty and ill-advised marriages and the sufferings which they bring
 It is not the publicity, necessarily, but the interval of a month in which the step, which would bring about the desired reformation. So far as the state is concerned, marriage is the most important relationship up-
 
 ter. It is scandalous that a step up- on which the welfare of the nation and of future generations rests. may be undertaken with no more restric- t1on or effort than one encounters in ordering a meal Or buying a theater ticket.
 Our laws or lack of laws make it possible for a man and a woman to meet at a party, go to the City Hall, get a license at one window, and have ceremony performed at another, and all in one day.
 Judge TalIey then draws attention to the value of the old Catholic cus- tom of "cal1ing the banns'', a custom still retained in many non-Catholic countries abroad.
 The custom publishing the banns, required by some churches, is based on centuries of experience and thorough understanding. of human weakness. Hasty, impulsive marriages are rarely successful.
 Bigamy, annulment and divorce cases and many consequences result ing from misrepresentation, coul be were required between the getting of the license and the performance of the ceremony. grant that people may fall in love on sight, and that love may be rekindled in some persons more quickly than in others. But if the emotion is genuine, it will last thirty days. If not it is not affirm foundation for a home.
 Once they are married, little can be done to regulate peoples affec- tions. The time for legislation is be- fore the marriage ceremony is per formed.
 The truth of Judge Talley's obser- vations must be admitted by all who have come in contact with that great source of social disorder, the home wrecked by divorce.
 Begin in Time
 It is as singular as it is melancholy, that so many social workers of mark ed technical ability, have failed ut terly to recognize why divorce is so common against us. As Judge Talley has pointed out, law can do very little once the marriage ceremony is per formed and not a great deal before the contract is entered upon We must begin with the child. But to we have absolved our obligations to the child when We have given him a cou~~e in sex-hygiene, and provided him withplaygrounds. They alone it would seem, suffice. Our schools too. ruled, unfortunately, by a philosoph which instead of telling the child, You can do it and therefore you must" have told him You do not like to do, and therefore you need not" have done much to bring up a generation which is ready to abandon the most sacred obligations as soon as they entail hardship. If we do not begin to teach our children, even the youngest, "to overcome themselves as the old ascetics would put it, our