LYING JUSTIFIABLE TO SHIELD A WOMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 5 July 1907, Page 4

LYING JUSTIFIABLE TO SHIELD A WOMAN.

' Now York, May 14. [ TJio question whether lying in defence of a woman's honor is justifiable is being hotly argued by lawyers all over the country. A recent divorce case at Chicago, in which a well-known man refused to give evidence against a woman, and declared that he would rather perjure himself, is responsible for the controversy. Two judges of the Chicago courts approve of this code of honor. .Judge Me Kwen, of the divorce court, declares that it is-justifiable for a man to k *lie like a gentleman to shi-dd a woman." •Midge Kavanagh says: "A man who te«diiies against a woman for the purpose of destroying her reputation is so contemptible thai he is beyond belief." Other Chicago judges who have been interviewed are quoted as saying that lying under tliese these circumstances is ■ r\.-usable, if not permissahlc, Ihe professors at the Chicago Law School condemn perjury, but declare thai a man should refuse to testify against a woman, and take any punishment at (iatschina by the Dowager Empress fjuence.