Case Name: CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS v. NANCY EDWARDS
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1868-01
Citations: 1 Phil. 534
Docket Number: 
Parties: CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS v. NANCY EDWARDS.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 61
Pages: 534–535

Head Matter:
CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS v. NANCY EDWARDS.
A petition for divorce] because of adultery by the defendant,' need nofc allege that the petitioner has not been guilty of adultery.
Petition for Divorce, heard ex parte before Buxton J., at Eall Term 1867 of the Superior Court of Yancey.
The petition prayed for a divorce on account of adultery by the defendant. Upon reading it to the court, it appeared -to contain no allegation that the petitioner himself had not been guilty of adultery. Thereupon the court declined to-proceed unless the petition was amended upon that point. The petitioner excepted to this ruling, and declined to amend as required, but offered to submit his conduct and character to the jury on a proper issue. His Honor therefore dismissed the petition, and the petitioner appealed.
Merrimon for the appellant.
No counsel contra.

Opinion:
Pearson, C. J.
It is a maxim in courts of equity, that " a party must come in with clean hands," and probably it would be good policy to require one who files a petition for a divorce, to purge his conscience in the manner indicated by his Honor. It certainly would prevent a great many applications.
But the subject of divorce is regulated by statute, Rev. Code, ch., 39, " Divorce and Alimony," and there is nothing in the statute to authorize a construction, which would empower the court to impose a " test oath " of this kind. On the contrary, the fifth section, which declares what matter shall be set out in the petition is silent as to an averment of this kind, and the tenth section provides that, if such matter shall he proved, " the same shall be a good defence, and a perpetual bar against the suit," thus ekpressly making it a matter oí defence, and no where intimating that the party shall take an oath of his own innocence as a condition precedent to the right of instituting the suit.
Order in the court below reversed. This will be certified.
Per CuRiAir. Order reversed.