The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-10
nHE DAILY Angus.
SENATOR TABoRss MARRIAGE.
From the washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
The fact that q Catholic priest oficiated
at the marriage Thursday evening of Sem
ator Tabor and Miss McCourt has provok-
ed considerable comment, as both parties
to the marriage are known TO have been
recently divorced. and the practice of the
Catholic Church is opposed to solemnizing
marriages OF persons divorced A state
ment purporting to come from Father
Chapeile, who performed the ceremony
was published this morning to the effect
that he had made what he thought was
thorough investigation, and was mlsinfoa-
med as to the qualifications of the parties
WHAT SENATOR TABOR SAYS
A Star reporter called upon Senator Ia
Dor at Wizards this morning and asked
him about the statement made by Father
Chapelle He replied that Father Chapelle
did not ask either himself or Miss McCourt
whether either had been divorced or not;
if he had they would not have hesitated to
state the facts. 1T would have been just
as easy he continued, . for us to be mar
ried by Protestant as by Catholic. but
Miss McCourt's father has always been a
strict Catholic and he desired that we
should be married by Catholic. He en-
gagged the services of Father Chapelle,
who called upon me and asked me few
questions, none of which appearance in
any way to the point in question,
WHAT THE PRIEST SAYS
A STIR reporter this morning called
Father Chapelles attention to the publish
ed statement: On Thursday evening [ was
called out of church by Mr.. McCourt who
was accompanied by some relatives. He
professed to be a practical Catholic, and
said he was anxious to have his daughter
married by "a priest. | asked him how
old she was and he said about twenty two
Then further asked him whether he knew
of any impediment or objection to the mar
rage, and he clearly answered that he did
not. Not satisfied with that went to see
Senator Tabor, and asked him the usual
questions in cases of mixed marriages, to
which he gave perfectly satisfactory an
swers. If did not PROFOUND, categoric-
ally the question whether they had either
gone through the divorce court, it was be
cause the assurances of the lady's father
did not lead me to suspect the necessity of
asking such question. In an interview
this morning with Mr. McCourt he told
me that he was himself entirely to blame
for not having stated the fact to me when
I asked whether he knew of any impedi-
ment to the marriage.
&c That statement puts you right, re-
ked the reporter, when the father had CON
luded
Yes. | know, was the response. but
| have been greatly annoyed. | was led in
to trap, and now I hope that the affair
will not be agitated."
*'Will this marriage stand?" continued
| the reporter.
In the eyes of tue law, was the reply.
I suppose it is a marriage, but as far as
the Catholic Church is concerned it is no
m xraS mare form >
What is the position of the Catholic
Church in regard TO divorce? continued
the reporter.
The position of the Catholic Church is
just this. " was the reply, we allow a limit
| ed divorce: that is, separation of the part
les for cause But neither IS allowed to
marry while the other is alive"
This is absolute, them" asked the report
err.
'.There is no exception or deviation
| known to this rule by the church, . was
| the reply.