The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-12

rect. the scheme is undoubtedly good one.
MurphY's methods have so frequently
been exposed that he is pretty well known
to the public Efforts have been made time
and again 70 break up the scanda Gus bust
ness, but always without success The
county clerk will listen TO no proposition 70
dispense with Murphy's services, nor will
he explain why room has been set apart
for the fellows use, and space thus given
him that rtghtlyfully belongs TO the people,
One explanation offered is that the enter
prise is immensely profitable A good many
persons who have watched Murphy do not
hesitate to say that his income from
the business IS not less than so, OOO
year, while others are inclined to name
higher figure. Both estimates are
particularly too high. although they would
have undoubtedly been apprOx imately cor
rect when 1t was customary to suppress
marriage licenses for people who were about
70 contract marriages that they did not
care TO have published. Murphy was always
a valuable friend to those couples. By the
exercise OF some potent passes, which were
not apparent to any Udy but the county
clerk, he could have license buried so
deep IN the book of record that it would not
be resurrected for weeks and months. Muir
ply probably did not give these trihing
services out Of a feeling Of sympathy for the
man who did not want the fact that he was
TO be married published.
A reporter Of the Herald visited the
county clerks office yesterday and watched
Murphy at work for nearly half an hour,
during which time he captured three
couples. He is always alert, and notwith-
standing that he carries wooden leg he is
so active that .erY few persons get away
from him. One moment he is at the license
CLERKS window scanning the faces of the
candidates for marital bliss. and the next
moment he is scraDiug and having before
blushing maiden. Then be is at the door
impatiently waiting for a couple that has
begun to move out. As they approach
him he smiles in q seraphic way.
He readJusts the little white choker,
SO common to ministers of the
gospel, twirls his moustache once
or twice and advances to meet his
prey. He has become SO hardened in the
business that he does not hesitate a moment
TO tell what be wants. He whispers a few
words to the groom, smiles at the bride and
finally points to his Office through the
round glass of which several incandescent
lights are glowing brightly. The loving
pair glance at each other, CYCLE, and then
turn in the direction of the room, which
they enter. Murphy follows them. The
door is closed. and five minutes later the
business Is over. 1t is one of Mr.. Mnr-
phys boasts that he ties his knots quietly
but quickly. He says he does it so as
not to offend the tender sensibilities of the
bride. The ceremony, including the subse-
quent cash transaction. rarely takes over
ten minutes. and when it is over the newly
made man and wife are ushered into the
corridor and ushered into the world. Muir
ply loses no time in stumping back into the
office for more prey. This is Murphy's rou-
tine from morning till night, and from one
end OF the year to the other. If he has any
regular duties as Waterman he makes no
pretence of attending to them. All his at
tention is conferred at the license counter,
and his time is chiefly occupied in the little
room where he ties the knots
Murphy came here from Evanston, and
he has been justice Of the peace for nearly
twelve years He was elected originally
through sympathy for the loss of his leg
in railroad accident and he has been re-
elected twice He first went into the mar
rying business during the time Mike Ryan
was county clerk. The latter made him a
Waterman in the Office and be has held that
position ever since. When Wulff succeeded
Ryan he found Murphy's business SO pros
porous that he did not feel equal to the task
of depriving him Of it, and so he has re-
manned through the present regime with
out being moleSted.