New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-19
IN ODD UEDDING.

4 story is current of an odd wedding in
BROOKLYN. 1t seems that an aged colored
man employed rs packer in a large china and
art goods establishment, is also preacher of
the Methodist Episcopal persuasion. On a re-
cent Friday one of the clerks employed in the
bookkeeping department of the store, together
with pretty "saeslady" appeared before the
old man, in his domain below stairs. ana with
some laughter and glgglins requested him to
marry them. Whether they did tails in fun and
by way of buTlesquing the ddrkhued packers
professions to clerical dignity, or i'll sober
earnest, OF whether one may have acted in jest
the other in earnest, is one Of the questions now
under vehement discussion in the FuitOnst.
shops. They gave him fictitious names, which
supports the theory that a practical joke was
intended He asked the usual questions as To
their willingness to take each other for hus-
band and wife, to which they gave affirmative
answers. He then pronounced them married.
He appears to have given no certificate. and
they seem to have paid no fee, two facts which,
again, accord best with the practical joke the
Org. However. an animated discussion has
arisen whether-the packer having been an
ordained clergyman-the young couple are not
ellectually married.
Whether the person who oficiated was a
clergyman or not, is wholly urimportant
THE TRIBUNE has several times explained that
i'll New-York State no sanction from priest or
magistrate no form of words or ceremonies.
are needGu to constitute a valid marriage. On
this point young people are liable to be mised
10y "reminiscences of English novels which
abound IN instances OF II supposed husband re-
pudiatng his marriage ties because the priest
WIS not duly ordained ; or the license was not
issued in due form; or the register was signed
in fictitious names. English law was formerly
very strict in such requirements, and still pre-
scribes certain forms as essential. The like
policy prevails i'll several of the States. The
advantages of it are that 1t facilitates ascertain
ing who are married, and determining 0ues-
tiOns of support of wives, legitimacy Of chill
dren, and descent OF property also that it en-
hances the dignity of the marriage relation.
The disa lvantage is that il gives opportunity
for innocent, cOniding wcAlen to DO BETRAYED
by hear. less libeItines; for whatever the re-
quired ceremonies are, the man. if they are
made essential to wilehood. by a crafty imita-
ton of them can reserve "a legal ight to repu.
date at his pleasure the woman who has be-
Iieved herself his wife. For this reason Chiefly.
many of the States, New York especially treat
any actual agreement OF competent persons to
take each other in marriage as valid mar
rage, no matter how it is expressed or how 1t
is proved. Their laws do indeed prescribe
ceremonies, perhaps require license, or a pub
LEGATION Of banns, OF the attendance of priest or
Il magistrate, or ii record of the AFFAIR IT, how
ever, either of these things is neglected the
culpIit is fined or possibly imprIsoned-the
neglect forms no objection to the marriage.
a Judgment 10y Chiel-Justice FOlger, widely
published few years ago, put this doctrine in
very salient language. And numerous cases
are OH record in which most informal and meg
ular agreements of marriage have been en-
forced such as a wedding solemnlzed by a
mock priest an impromDtu bargain between
an engaged couple while riding by themselves
in chaise "A mans introduction of a woman at
a boarding house OF among common friend1 ss