The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-18

ACFC9nury MShfS$~
sUpeE Ross REVIEWS THE EVILS ATTENDING
TINE INCORPORATION or xATKisosIAL Asso-
CATIONS, AND REFUSES TO cHAHfhS i"o
SOCIETIES.
A special to the Philadelphia Press OF
vesferday from Norristown says:
Judge Ross has placed himself on record
.v.inst matrimonial insurance by refusing
rnnljcations for charters to The GOODWIN
and Matrimonial Societies OF fottsto"h:
The applications were similar 10 tnose OF
associations chartered in Bcrks, Lebanon,
and Dauphin counties, and were Dased on
the act OF April -, 1874. Their avowed
objects were 10 issue certificates OF mem.
bership In certain specified amounts, ana
To nav the parties for whose benefit the GER
fifcates were issued from fund 10 De
raised l,y assessing all the members In cscn
case OF the marriage Of member. Inc
applications were duly argued by counsei,
and to-day the Judge rendered his decisioh
against the applicants. delivering an opm-.
ion embodying the reasons Tor MS ac'ioh'
REASONS FOR THE REFUSAL.
After stating the object Of matrimonial
ASSOCIATIONS, the Judge says that their tend
cncy l. 10 induce parties 10 contract mar
,.iaces from mercenary motives, when ne
dcnlored as n great evil, and that stu
worse tendency is the great encouragement
which the associations give TO fraud upon
marriage and upon innocent parties. "lhe
laws of Pennsylvania regulating marriage,
saws the Judge, care almost criminaii!
negligent In reference TO the measure OF
proof required 10 demonstrate marriage,
and I'm many OF our sister States they
are equally vicious; and II this new
temptation be afforded bigamy viii be
A misdemeanor OF common occurrence.
innocent women or unsuspecting men VIII
become the ready prey OF matrimonial
sharpers, who will marry ana take the
benefits Of the association wherever and
whenever they think they may safely do
so.'
GRIsT TO THE DIVORCE MILLS.
The tendency to increase divorces is an
other reason stated against this system OF
contracting marriages. "The facility by
which divorces may be procured by uu-
scrupulous suitors In many OF the States Is
already fruitful cause OF matrimonial
auarrels and absolute divorce. When par
ties have the temptation OF certain sum as
the reward of second marriage the ties OF
the first are greatly weakened, and the mar
rage bond will be readily severed. The
scheme also affords IN inducement 10 ailcge
marriage where none has taken place, and
thus cast q cloud upon the legitimacy OF is
sue. There is no more fertile source-no
one thing more destructive family honor
and domestic peace-than questions as to
marriage and the incidental inquiry as to t.,s11
Legitimacy Of offsprings arising out Of such
questions
EARLY MARRIAGES.
Another evil produced by matrimonial
associations is the inducement they hold
OH; to young people to marry who are I'M
fitted physically and mentally TO enter into
80 solemn and continuing relation. "De-
serted wives, unhappy homes, and aban-
doned children are the results OF these UNI
fortunate alliances. The divorce courts
and the records Of the Quarter Sessions in
desertion cases show the frequency OF these
evils resulting from marriages based upon
the inconsiderate action Of youth and pas
sion, before Judgment has controlled the one
and reason modified the other. A great
moral writer has said that the two great
pillars OF society are the sanction OF an
oath and the institution OF marriage. This
Court will not lend its aid TO sap the foun-
dations OF either. Such, however, would
be the effect OF incorporating societies OF
this character"
Judge Ross concluded by announcing
that the Court would refuse all such appli-
cations. The decision will have whole
some effect upon the community and nip
i'm the bud quite number OF societies
which were being organized.