Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15
Continued from First Page.l

ional governor and not by a state leg
islature. The state constitution was
imperative and 1t was well known that
such laws as this, promulgated BY
| gubernatorial decree, were open TO at
| tack. This, however, was not allowed
| to interfere with the prospecting BUSH
| ness. Lawyers familiar with the situa-
ton obtained divorces for their clients
at Cuernavaca, confident that the next
constitutional legislature would ratify
the law and all DEGREES granted under 1t.
| The assumption was justified, Tor on
June 7 last the first legislature convened
In Morelos for II years resolved itself
into a constitutional convention and
ratified all DEGREES issued by all gov.
errors during the period OF PROVISIONAL
government. The courts under Meu.
can procedure must bow to the will Of
any legally constituted legislature func-
tioning within its own sphere OF acttv-
ity. Thus all divorces granted under
| the famous law were legaAzed.
Cuernavaca's infant Industry has
| grown at q healthy pace since Gov.
Velasco set up the first sfmplifled d.
vorce machinery in 1924. The modern
| time-saving devices added by his sue
cesssors have accelerated its develop
ment. The number Of DEGREES issued
during each Of the last six years has
been as follows: Twenty in 1925, so in
1925, go in 1927. $50 in 1928, $50 in
1929, 325 in 1880.
| Requirements Not Severe.
Requirements imposed by the Cuer-
navaca divorce court could not be called
severe. OF course. q legal residence
must be established In the state. But
| only one of the parties to the marriage
affected needs establish such a residence,
and for him the procedure Is made as
simple as possible. No long and tedious
separation from ones work or pleasure
or next husband or wife-to-be Is con-
sidered necessary. Especially II one has
made the initial payment on divorce
lawyers fee, one may possess legal
residence in Cuernavaca without neceS-
Sarily living in it. In fact, one needn't
ever see It. A note to an efficient law
yer, accompanied by power Of attorney
assures prompt attention to this and
similar details.
The nonresident desiring to estab-
lish residence IN Morelos must be reg
iStered on the census roll and manifest
his intention Of living within the state
1t may be assumed safely that no More
los court would attempt to restrain any
one who later found 1t convenient tc
alter his plans for moving there In fact
Upon completion Of this registration
the lawyer receives for his client q GER
tiflcate of legal domicile, issued by the
mayor Of Cuernavaca.
Return Receipt Requested.
Equally convenient methods of serv-
ing papers in divorce suits were estab-
lished by the Puente law. Husbands OF
wives about to be divorced in Cuerna-
vaca are annoyed by no process server:
or persistent fellows with subpoenaS
The defendant In the suit may be citec
by registered mail and in order to avoiC
miscarriage of justice the law require:
that return receipt be requested. Si1
days, exclusive Of time required By
transit in both directions, are allowed
for the defendants answer.
Service by registered nlail--with re.
turn receipts, however, optional. Tit
law recognizes that the plaintiff in such
case may be ignorant of the defend
ants address. It is assumed, however
that the plaintiff can provide the full
name Of the defendant, and he is re.
quired to do so. Whereupon, If the adj
dress Is lacking, notice of the divorces
proceedings Is published in the oflcia
gazette of the state of Morelos. Thu
law stipulates that it shall be published
at least once.
But even If the defendant, who ma!
be a resident Of China, fails TO reSponC