The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1886-01-10
Decrease In Marriages.

A comparative record Of marriages
in the State OF Ohio has been compiled,
which shows remarkable decrease in
the number during late years in lro-
portion To the population. During the
year preceding the War there were
over %. 900 marriages out of popula-
ton OF about 100000. The War re-
duced this number TO an average of
about l9 500, and the return of peace
ran up the number to 30,479. This
large increase denoted that there were
u good many faithful girls who waited
patiently Tor the young men to whom
Ihey had plighled their troth. Alter
:hat the average number OF marriages
was about 26 900 n year for number
of years; but following the panic of
1873 there was drop to 20 4S9. The
revival of business in 1882 was marked
by another increase 10 80 600. but the
succeeding depression OF 1884 again re-
duccd the number TO 2S.72O.
While these statistics indicate pretty
clearly that good times promote mar
riages and hard times depress the ma
lrlmonial rs well rs other markets, it
is still more significant TO note that the
number OF marriages in proportion to
the population Is very much smaller
thaa formerly. The annual average
before the War was about one marriage
TO 100 inhabitants; the same proportion
now would give $4,000 marriages per
annum, whereas the average for the
last live years has been only little
more than 5000. Fcwer births are
recorded than twenty-five years ago.
though the married population is 20
per cent larger.
These marriage statistics of Ohio may
be accepted as denoting an appreciablc
decline in the family lite of this country.
OHIO occupies middle ground be-
tween the lnickly settled Eastern States
and the newer States and Territories; il
is one of the most prosperous States in
the Union, and there is certainly AS much
encouragement Tor domesticlty there
rs in any other portion OF the country.
1t may be fairly assumed, therefore,
that if marriages and births are le-
creasing III Onlo in proportion TO the
population lne same is true OF other
States and even 10 a greater Xtent iE
some OF them. The tendency is cer-
tainly TO be deporcd. Hard times will
account Tor ialiug-off in the numOer
Ol marriages in certain years, but will
not explain the decrease in the general
average. The drift OF modern civiizi-
ton in the crowded communities is to-
ward celibacy. Tue influences are nu-
merOus. Among the ciasses VINO are
IN comfortable circumstances and
ought TO maintain modest, happy
homes there is Il desire Tor display aud
an indulgence in eXtravagancc which
warn young men against the RESPONSE
Utilities OF Il fanny. Among the wealthy
classes Il Large proportion vi the young
lnrn acquire haUits which divert Their
attention from marriage. As our cities
grow in population the proportion OF
poor people Increases, aud marriage,
with its attendant expenses Of family,
is formidable affair. Many otncr
conditions could be named winch are
deterrent in their influence on mar
riases. The autl-marriage tendency is
especially 10 DC deplOred because IL M
pics increased immortality. IL eau
only be counlcractcd Dy The cultivation
Oh more moderate modes OF iamay life
and lie repression, SO far as possible
OF social wees. - CaicdQO IftOate.