Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1901 — Divorces in Indiana. [ARTICLE]

D ivorces in Indiana.

The statistican of Ind.ana has ■done an important service of sociology by compiling the statistics of marriages and divorces throughout the entire state. If the same work could be done, and done as thoroughly, in every other state a more exhaustive study of the divorce question would be possible, and the needs of uniform legislation would be more apparent. The reports of the statistician show that during the year ending June 30, 1901, the total number of marriages in jt.he state was 24,007, and the total number of divorces granted was 3,009, or about 13 per cent. Undoubtedly some of these divorces have been granted, but It is extremely doubtful whether such a large percentage of marriages as this should have been annulled. Other statistics -are also of interest. The divorces granted ta “wives were 1,967, to husbands 659, and this is about the proportions in other states. It does not follow from this that women are more prone to rush into the divorce counts than men. The causes explain the numerical difference. Of the total „ (1.967) divorces granted to wives 792 were for abando. ment by husbands and 901 for cruel treatment by them. These are sufficient Causes and explain the apparently large proportion of wives seeking divorce.