Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-05-04
PERNlclouS READING.
Danger LurltlnE In Papers Devoted tC
Matrimonial Advertising.

Danger LuritlnE In Papers Devoted to
Matrimonial Advertising.
The publisher of n matrimonial adj
vcrtising sheets sends us ccpy upon
which ho has written the following
memorandum: "Over five hundred
leading newspapers havo occupied
from ono to twelve columns each in
discussing mony in ridicuiing) while
very few understand it Please
road"
This is so fair-sceming request
that in spite of the pressure on our
timc-a pressure which the publisher
of weekly like the one referred TO
can not probably comprchend-wc
have complied with it. We have
''rcad;" and we think we can under
stand why "many" of tho five hun
drcd leading newspapers have occu-
pied some space in ridiculing the pub
lication referred to. If they had read
it n little more carefully they would
have found it too serious for ridiculc
and would probably have condemned
it.
Tho papor in question purports to be
devoted 10 seekers of domestic happi-
ness" What it is really devoted to
seems to DO the making of money out
of the silly, the foolish and tho cranks
who believe in matrimonial advcrtis-
ing, and the wicked who find in sheet
which does such advertising an oppor-
tmity to ensnarc the silly and foolish.
1t is filled, with the exception of n few
columns devoted TO self-cxploitation
and specious pleading in behalf of this
miserable method of bringing marriage
about, with advertisements, or what
purport to be such, of mon and women
who want partners in wedlock.
The descriptions which the advcr-
tisers give of themselves have all the
popularity of bill of sale or chattel
mortgage, and are quito as devoid of
sentiment Ono, for instance, de-
scribcs herself as "a widow of 80, feet
4 inches in height, dark eyes, light
hair, weight 160pounds. well educated,
fair musician and fair housekceper.
She admits an incum nrance in the
shape of zone boy"-agc, size and
weight not givcn-and wants to corre-
spond with "a Western gentleman over
40, widower or bachelor" She closes
with the suggestion that she will be 80
dutiful wife to good man." Another
says she is "a noat little housckeepcr"
who sis willing to display her abilities
in making home happy" but how can
she (she asks unless some good, true,
temperate man over 40 whom she could
love proposes?
Another, on the masculine side of
the paper describes himself as y "gen-
tlcman of y years, five feet seven in
chcs, fair complexion, not much money,
but n true and honest heart" He
neither smokes, chews or drinks
whisky; and does not say what vice he
docs patronize in place OF these. Still
another is 81 widowcr of As, having
property and income sufficient to sup
business in town where he is we'll
known and can give tho best of refer
ences." He wants 1.-The acquaintance
of n lady of suitable age who has no
children"
1t can hardly be necessary to say to
intelligent, right-minded readers that
this whole notion of advertising for
wife or husband is degrading and de-
moralizing. Our system of marrying
and giving in marriage is bad enough
at its best, resulting as it so often does
in ill-sorted unions, which the courts
are compelled to break. 1t is infinitely
better. however, than system which
has It's foundation in the matrimonial
bureau There is pretense at least
in all cascs-and the fact in n great
proponderance of cases-of mutual ac-
quaintanco and of liking, if not of ro-
mantle attachment. ltmay be n lottery,
but there is chance at least of drawing
n prize, and, as n matter of fact, the
majority do draw prizes. In n system
of marriage upon the bargain and sale
theory embodied in the advertisement
plan it is inevitable that the vast ma
jority must draw blanks.
No woman of real refinement with
right views of the married state, its
meaning and its responsibilities, could
content herself with a man who would
answer an advertisement describing
the particular kind of n husband want
ed, as ono would describe carriage,
horse or n pug. No such woman in
deed would advertise for husband.
What is true of the woman is true of
the man. Detroit Free Press.