The Indianapolis journal., 1883-01-27
TURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1888.
FOR. THE PROTECTION oF MEN.

Lnat IL Is Only as II DOuy lllat Tue prOSIess vi
the lawmakers is slow.
Individual members are wide awake and
loaded down with bills for the benefit of
their constituents, which they lose no op-
portunity of introducing. Sessions are too
short for all these bills to be passed upon, but
the able representative has, at least, demon
strated the fact that he is "wilin'," " and
thatis much-in case he wants q renomina-
ton. In many instances it is even possible
that the mere introduction OF a bill is all
that could be desired, and we'll that its pro-
gress toward becoming a law is checked at
that precise stage. There are measures, how
ever of importance, and bearing directly
upon great social events that are yet liable to
be overlooked, unless special attention is
the relief of unprotected single men,
introduced day or two since
by the honorable gentleman from Knox.
The title of the bill is not in these words,
but, divested of the learned and legal forms
necessary for its comprehension by legs-
lators and reporters, this is undoubtedly its
meaning. The gentleman from Knox, with
a yirtuous and eommendable desire to guard
his male constituents from the bold advances
of women who wish to marry them whether
or no, asks the Assembly to make it mis-
demeanor. under severe penalties. "for any
person or persons to compel or attempt to
compel in any way person to marry another
against his will"
Hasty and careless readers OF legislative
proceedings, if any such there be, thinking
vaguely of the Sabine women, or recalling
fabulous tales heard in youthful days OF
lovers who seized maidens fair and rode off
with them over hill and dale, might suppose
the measure was TO apply 10 such of the male
sex in Indiana as were addicted to similar ex-
ploits. Or they might think it referred
to both sexes alike. But no. A second
glance at the language shows the ''persons"
meant are ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS women.
Does it say IA man or woman who compels
another man or woman to marry contrary
10 their respective wishes?' Or does it say
'any person who shall be forced to marry
against his or her will?' Not at ALL The
word person" which may mean either sex,
is perhaps used to m islead some other MEM
her who has a large family of daughters
he would not wish to check on the matri-
monial war path; but the expression against
his wll'' makes the meaning of the measure
obvious
Thoughtful persons, of whom the member
from Knox is evidently one, have viewed
with alarm the encroachments women are
making on what every right.minded man
must regard as his own prerogative. Long
since did woman cease to remain contented
and submissive in the home circle while
waiting patiently for some man to come
along and marry her She broke out of the
sacred inclosure and looked around on her
own account. The movement which was
general, went by the popular name
of the advancement of women" with
reference to education and intellectual
progress, but rs events show, it was
nlsinly crafty and preconcerted action hav-
ing in view the capture of marrageable
young men. Has not the irruption Of young
places enabled them to obtain an advantage
which they never had before and one very
disagreeable to the young man? By this
constant association they are enabled to learn
h. s 81, u, Il. i
which he is accustomed to leave behind when
he enters society. Instead OF sitting quietly
at home, allowing the youth to whom she is
engaged" to wander about the country in
the old free way, to engage" himself TO
other girls, she keeps an eye on him and in
sttutes breach of promise suit asking dam
ages in large sums. Or she pursues him to
his daily haunts, and camps in front of his
house until he marries her TO get rid of her
Something like the latter case has happened
in the county of Knox, which has probably
opened the honorable members eyes to the
dangers which menace unmarried men.
Whether the gentleman believes that
it is becoming customary for
women to seek out and propose
marriage does not appear but he evidently
fears it. Perhaps he is himself unmarried,
and having been proposed to, wants to find a
means OF escape. To be sure, no man need
accept woman who asks him to marry her
unless he chooses; but, apparently, the inn
preston in Knox county is that he will be
safer to do so. familiar saying about
woman scorned seems to have been demon
strated there.
1t may seem to old-fashioned people who
go about with their eyes shut that a woman
is unable to "compel a person to marry