Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-27

THE VALUE OF MARRIAGE LICENSES.
Two girls aged fifteen and eighteen and
two boys twenty and twenty-five respective
ly, all of Brooklyn, took it into their heads
TO marry lastweek, and marry they did. A
minister was found who without reluctance
reformed the ceremony. In York State,
ss IN Psnnsylvanis, no license is required
and IT is necessary for the maid to be only
sweet sixteen in order that she may legally
change her name. 10 this instance trouble
has arisen out Of the dual marriage. The
high contracting parties had not the con-
sent Of their parents and the matches were
genuine runavays. The couples have been
summary forced assunder BY the strong
influence Of the parents over their
daughters, and the Rev. gentleman
has been generally condemned for
marrying girl under sixteen, although
he declares be asked that question and was
answered afirmatively, which the girl
denies, and the domestic muss
which these two elaudestine marriages have
kicked up is quite pronounced, and the
newspapers are not modersting the storm
in the least by their discussion OF it.
Such instances as the above are numer-
Gus, and their recurrence is constantly TX
citing the attention of thOughtful people as to
whether or not the Ohio and West Virginia
law is not the better one. 1t compels the
contracting parties to apply for q license,
and its issuance does not follow unless the
applicant brings the proper witness
to satisfy the officer Of the
law that the legal requirements
are complied with. Such as the consent Of
parents, when necessary, proper age, etc.
By this arrangement the religious or civil
officer, as the ease may be, is relieved of all
responsibility in the matter, 50 that the
license is produced and drawn up in &C
cordanee with law. This plan Of procs-
dure by virtue Of its publicity aud
red tape, deters many q pair
from entering into 50 grave 8 life contract
at ~Lap,hszzard, or on the spur Of the mo-
ment. In this modern age society is so
made up that the most ineongruous spirits
intermingle promiscuously with comparative
ease, and form slledged ~impromptu attach
ments that have no adhesive quality as soon
5 each knows and understands the others
real social intellectual, financial or re-
HSS%SIghsracter. In fact, what ought to
0e the most holy and sacred alliance on
earth, that no finite being ought to sunder,
is often scarcely co~nsummsted, before either
one, or both the misersbles begin to regret
their lot, and seek 3 separation. Notably,
the skating rink and the dance house
are resorts wherein the conditions
preeminently exist for inconsiderate and
Maynard youths and msidens, who either
are u~nrestrained or understandable at home,
TO consummste these legal misalliauces and
from which are soon to follow coneomitant
and i~rreparable evils.
The solemnizafion of marriage is Of all
other contracts the n requiring the most
careful scrutiny and ~weightiest conSidera-
tion. It's the fswest number who do these,
so that the aid Of the law and church are
needed 20 prevent as much as possible, the
mischief arising from neglect Of these
requisites. Hence the value Of the license
or the proclamation of the bans.f from the
altar as an aid to obyiste inconsiderate and
improper marriage alliances.
The Roman Catholic church understands
the advantage and excellence Of hedging
around the wedding vows all the delibera,
ton and publicity possible. The priest
proclaims the bans from thS altar weeks
in advance of the ceremony
g that all deeply interested
parties must be fully spprised Of the occur,
renee. Hence it is one hears Of so few
divorces or separations among the members
Of that denomination.
There can be little doubt but the more
Importance given to the marriage contract
by legal preliminary preparation and eouss-
qntnt publicity, the better it Is for the
moral and peaceful condition Of society both
individually and collectively, aud as q help
to the accomplishment Of that end the mar
rage license system in the several States Is
an advanfsgs 0Ter the no license system in