Marriage And Divorce

A MUCH DISCUSSED SUBJECT BY STATE JUDGES.

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THEY WOULD MAKE LAWS MORE STRENUOUS.

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ASSOCIATION WAS IN SESSION AT LANSING TUESDAY.

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Lansing, Mich., Dec. 31. - The tenth annual meeting of the State Association of Judges commenced in the supreme courtroom Tuesday afternoon with Judge Clement Smith of Hastings in the chair. As preliminary to the regular program, Judge Wiest of Lansing spoke briefly of the necessity for a proper place for the connnement (sic) of youthful criminals. He also spoke of the necessity of a prison for women.

In his annual address Judge Smith spoke of the need for dignity and integrity on the bench, remarking that no man is dignified unless he is honest and upright.

Chief Justice Hooker read a paper on "The Late Mr. Justice Long," and paid a high tribute to the character and ability of the dead jurist.

Judge Willis B. Perkins of Grand Rapids read a most scholarly paper on "Some legal phases of the trust problem." Remedies for existing evils were suggested in the line of federal legislation and the creation of a system that would establish an official in every federal judicial district, whose duty it should be to look closely after corporations and their operation and report to a central bureau, these reports to be open to the inspection of the public at all times.

"Judiciary and legislation" was the subject of a paper by Judge Frederick W. Mayne of Charlevoix, who said he would have the laws amended so that all courts of inferior jurisdiction would respect and give full force and effect to ever enactment of the legislature until such enactment is declared unconstitutional by the supreme court.

Taking up the subject of marriage and divorce, Judge Mayne suggested that the marriage laws be amended as follows: The license shall be taken out three weeks prior to the marriage and two publications of such license be made in an official paper; increase the age limit of females to 18 and males to 20, and permit marriages below those ages only when permitted by probate jdges for cause; repealing the present probate marriage law; requiring on the part of the male a showing of moral character and ability to support a family; prohibit marriage where indiscretion or family history would tend to the development of criminals, paupers, feeble-minded, consumptive, blind children, etc.; recognize the common law marriage only to make the offspring legitimate.

The following amendments to the divorce laws were suggested: Providing that one year shall lapse after actual separation of the parents before bill for divorce can be filed; six months must elapse after bill is filed before decree is granted; prohibit the marriage of either party for six months after granting of decree in all cases, excepting where decree is granted for incompatibility of temper, and of offending party for two years after granting of decree, with longer periods in extreme cases; where service is obtained by publication the actual post office address of the defendant to be given, and the clerk to give notice by registered letter of application; every case should be contested, the prosecuting attorney to receive a reasonable fee therefor, to be paid by the applicant; two responsible parties to be called as witnesses to the character and good faith of the applicant; in no case should decree be granted where the applicant has been guilty of violation of the marriage obligation; no bill to be filed until the party has been a resident of the county for one year.

Judge Mayne also favored the proposed indeterminate sentence law and advocated an amendment to the constitution so as to increase the salaries of circuit judges and other inadequately compensated officials. Circuit judges should be entitled to their expenses when away from home on official business.

Judge Newnham of Grand Rapids advocated an amendment to the divorce law, which would require the prosecution under the criminal statute of the offender in cases where divorce is granted for offenses of a criminal nature.

Last evening the visiting judges were entertained at the annual banquet of the Ingham County Bar Association.