Year: 1879

THE SPEAKER OF THE ARIZONA HOUSE OF REP


REsENrATrvEs EXPLAINS HIS RELATIONS WITH


DIVORCE CASE.


Tho San Francisco CA~osice of February 1s con-
tains the following remarkable account of the
dal leading to the Smith divorce case, which Is
before the San Francisco courts -


In the Arizona House Of Representatives on the
10th inst Hon. Thomas Fitch, the Speaker. took
casion to reply to the statements contained in card
signed by Mrs. DR.. w. r. Smith, and published in
San Francisco paper Of the 5th, charging him with
degree Of responsibility for Mrs Smiths
marital infelicity and particularly with completely
in the scheme Tor divorcing DR.. Smith from his
wife through the medium Of the Arizona Legisla-
ture. Speaker Fitch hrst denied that he had
anything to do, directly indirectly, with the
passage of the bill for Smiths divorce that he had
heard Of the bill until it introduced in the
Houses and he declared that when the bill was intro
duced by Mr.. Purdy. the Representative from Yuma.
he was taken quite by SURPRISE the more 30 from
the fact that early in the session resolution had
been passed the sense of the House that
no Legislative divorces ought to be passed.


Mr. Purdy from M % Yuma here arose arose and nd veraed the
was responsible for the introduction of the Smith
Divorce bill, and without opposition 1t was incor-
Speaker Fitch had part in procuring the passage
Of the bill and he Purdy) did not know that Fitch
bill had passed both Houses; and he had personal
acquaintance with DR.. Smith himself. Mr.. Purdy
stated that he introduced the Smith Divorce bill at
the instance of o number of friends in Yuma.


Speaker Fitch, resuming cited the principal charge
directed against himself and family contained in the
card of Mrs. Smith, as follows-


Two years ago DR.. William F. Smith deserted his
wife and supplied her place. in all particulars with
tSs si assent IF ME- Fitch and wfe "''n


This accusation Speaker Fitch characterized as q
base fasehood and he proceeded to narrate his rela
Prescott Miner


STATEMENT OF THOMAS FITCH.


While the relations between DR.. Smith and Miss
Carpenter unfortunate and deplorable, believe
1t to be lie that they were criminal and the asser
ton that those relations such as they were ever re-
ceived the assent of my wife myself,
ceived anything but bitter opposition is utter
falsehood. never have censured. cannot now CEN
sure, Mrs. Smith for her determined and continued
efforts retain possession of the husband who
to have been equally resolved to elude her embraces
It was nominated in the bond that he should adhere
her. and 1t is her legal right to enforce the bond
If she can; but her statement that entered
her homo or helped rob her of her hus-
band IL without shadow OF foundation. DR..
Smith he informed me, and a. had reason to be-
neve TO true had ceased to occupy practical mari
tai relations with his wife for year before
met him. They Iyed under the same roof. but their
relations, want of relations, generally under
stood by their friends. Our families visited each
wife directed. ut the request Of Mrs. Smith.
toward restoration of conjugal felicity between her
and her husband. but in vain; there were
why could not be. It Is not for to state what
those reasons were


A BEAurruL AND ACCOMPLISHED GIRL.


At the time whereof speak my wifes niece. Miss
Annie Carpenter. was living under our protection
beautiful. accomplished girl. and as wilful. unman





some months Of acquaintance Mrs. Smith informed
my wife that Annie was in the habit OF meeting DR..
Smith ut his Office and expressed her apprehensions
that all was not right between them We Investigated
tho facts and sstounded by statement
the part Of the child that it was true that she and
to marry he could obtain judicial separa-
ton from his wife. We reasoned and demonstrated
with her in vain. called the Doctor to account. He
told boldly that he had not lived with his wife
a husband for more than year; that the situation
was understood by their friends; that he was now
ed n he WI m in
love with Annie, and determined to marry her as
soon as he was free. Both myself and wife were in
despair at the stuation. Some people would, per-
haps, have discarded tho child and disassociated
themselves from the ruin and disgrace which would
follow. We did not follow that course. We persuaded
Annie to go the Eastern States with my wife, hop
ing there to surround her with new interests and
her from her unfortunate fascination. She
went to New York with my wife, and after fort
nights stay started back to San Francisco. leaving
my wife to follow. on her return succeeded in in
ducng her to go to her father in Nevada, where she
remained less than . month. aud came back to San


THE HUSBAND APPEALED TO.


In perplexity and despair went to DR.. Smith
and urged him upon every consideration OF
manlincss and honor. since the girl would
that he should give her up. and leave us in peace.
He agreed to do 50. He wrote note to her to that
effect. l gave her the note. She left me quietly,
without o word went into her own room, burned
her letters arranged her wardrobe. sent one Of the
hotel servants to the drug store. where we were In
the habit of trading, secured six ounces of bella
DONNA swallowed 1t. lay down the bed and turned
her little white face to the WALL We discovered and
saved her. though. perhaps it had been better for
her had she then gone TO ''the dark house and the
long Sleep. After that arranged affairs to to
Arizona tried to bring her with us; but she would
not come A year age last summer took my wife to
San Francisco for medical treatment While we were
there the girl lived with us again suppose she met
consent or under my roof with my knowledge. I
would not have turned homeless dog upon the
MU''c the child who. however wiifui or however r
gone astray. had carried in my arms from
her childhood In the meantime DIR. Smith
ceased in fact to live with his wife. He had previ-
ously purchased in her name and conveyed to her
believe him. that he gave her every thing the world
he had left atter years of profitable practicefur-
niture. library. everything except his instruments
then to also pay her sufficient support.


MISS CARPENTER IN NEVADA.


Since then, for fifteen months, Annie Carpenter
has been OF the time with her father in Nevada,
aud the rest of the time suppose. In San Francisco
that he could marry her. Before God. do not be-
lieve that the relations between her and Dr. Smith
have been any other than as have stated. In that
fifteen months have made repeated efforts, by letter
and telegraph to persuade her TO give this affair up
and Join us here. knew that IL she came she
would como to live the life of q recluse with
the reputation OF a Magdalen; but anything
was better than existing conditions, for
did not believe that Mrs. Smith would ever
to loosen her thral her husband the doc
tor. When this bill TO divorce W. \. Smith from his
wife presented by the gentleman from Yuma
but did not feel IL be my duty to interfere IT, by
abandoning his residence and practice in San Fran
and going TO Yuma. he could obtain legal di-
vorce, IL was not my business to thwart him. The
most that he could obtain by such q divorce the
legal right to avoid the physical presence aud be
protected from the personal prosecutions OF his wife.
No property rights could be taken from her.
She apprenend, still force him In California to
contribute to her support and still compel him to
divide his property but by this Legislative divorce
he is enabled TO legally marry again. provided the
ceremony shall be performed in Arizona. l have
stated az IL under the solemnity of an oath.
the unvarnished facts far I am concerned. In
reviewing the whole matter do not see to-day how
could have acted differently. Those Who are will
ing TO be satisfied with the truth will bc glad that
have offered this public explanation. Those who
desire to misropreecnt me Will doubtless continue
TO do My own conscience In clear. for feel that
In nothing have done moro or less than humane
man ought 70 have done.