Per 100,000 married population.
| 1900 | 1890 |
|---|---|
| 513 | 316 |
Rank according to average number of annual divorces per 100,000 population.
| 1900 | 1890 | 1880 | 1870 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wash. | Colo. | Colo. | Wyom. & Ind. Terr. |
| 2. | Mont. | Mont. | Mont. | ... |
| 3. | Colo. | Wash. | Utah | Rhode Is. |
| 4. | Ind. | Ore. | Wyo. | Wash. |
| 11. | Wash. |
| In city | counties | In other counties | Excess of city rates | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 1890 | 1900 | 1890 | 1900 | 1890 |
| 266 | 140 | 162 | 103 | 104 | 37 |
Number and cause of divorces granted from 1867-1906.
| Desertion | 6,446 |
| Cruelty | 4,026 |
| Neglect to provide | 3,087 |
| Adultery | 699 |
| Drunkenness | 674 |
| Combinations of preceding causes | 1,388 |
| All other causes | 891 |
Thus we have the most recent government statistics. However, a review of conditions in King County during the last year will give us a more accurate idea of conditions. The records show that almost 25 per cent of the total number of cases filed in the superior court were divorce cases. The figures show a total of 6,710 cases filed, of which 1,539 were divorce cases. The increase in the number of divorces over 1912 is approximately ten per cent.
Of the total number of divorce cases filed decrees were granted in 986 cases, and nearly 200 cases are now pending. The majority of applicants for divorce are wives, the larger number asking for divorce on the grounds of cruelty. The ratio of marriage to divorce in this county for 1913 is 3.5:1.
Judges of the superior court, while ascribing different causes to the increase of divorce, all deplore it. One judge holds that a change in the laws would tend to decrease the number of divorces. Other judges hold that divorce is a social matter that is entirely outside of the particular form of law and arises from personal and local surroundings.