The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-11-11
MARRIED HIS SISTER.
Queer Legal Tapsle That is Vexing the
New York BARGE Ohaoia1s.

New YORK, Nov. 5.--General
O'Berne is in a quandary. AS acting
Superintendent of immigration at the
Barge Office in the absence Of Colonel
Weber, who has gone home to Buffalo
to vote, the General is required to pass
upon case presenting some very recul-
lar ard unprecedented features.
a family by the name Of Muller ar
rived Saturday from Mscklenburg, on
the steamer Fuerst Bismarck. The
family consisted of mother, daugh-
ter. son aud a son-in-law. All had
tickets for Elgin, III. The daughter,
Marguerite Muller, was detalEed at the
Barge Office because OF her condition.
According to the custom which OBJ
tains at the port of entry in such cases
some one must marry her or bonds must
be given for her support. it appears
that the knowledge Of this requirement
came to the family on shipboard, and
the brother, John Muller, agreed to mar
~ his sister.
After the brother-in-law had gone
West Yesterday, and in the temporary
absence of Mrs. Muller, John and Mar
suerlte were married by Pastor Keyl, OF
the Lutheran Mission in State street, in
the presence OF General O'Beirne.
Upon the mothers rsturn the discovery
of the fraud was made, and both brother
aud sister were detained at the Barge
Office for further action.
General O'Beirne said this morning
that he had been grossly imposed upon
aad that he would have the deceiying
couple on board ship in less than tWen-
ty-four hours. and would see that they
were sent bask to Europe.
sit was deliberate fraul," he said,
"perpetrated for the sake OF getting the
girl cut of the Barge Office. l told the
young man that he was not compelled
to marry the girl and had Pastor Keyi
tell him the same thing. They insisted,
however, upon the marriage ceremony
being performed and went through 1t
with all APPARENT reverence. The dis
covery Of the actual relations OF the par
vas an astounding revelation. shall
consult with the United States District
Attorneys Office to-day and learn what
must be done. IL anything, to have the
marriage annulled."
at tho Office Of the United States
District Attorney it was said this morn
ing that the case had not been brought
formally to their attention, and that un-
til it was no opinion could be passed
upon it. ;,
MIR. Frederick R. Coudert, The well
known International lawyer, was asked
to give an opinion upon the case.
II think," said Mr.. Coudert, chat
great ieniency should be exercised. The
brother undoubtedly acted from a worthy
motive and under extreme pressure. He
saw no other way Of getting his sester
to her destination sand saving her rom
open disgrace, and to send her back In
the streerage at this season Of the year
might possibly result IN her death.
'.As to the law in the case: II the
couple, a, I understand it, were, at the
time of the alleged marriage, which, OF
course, w.s no marriage at all, still un-
der United States jurisdiction, then no
States lar has been violated, and I know
of no Federal law which covers the case.
1t seems to me that the best way is to
drop the whole business and let the peo-
pie proceed to their destination. GER
tainly would never take part IN the
prosecution ofsuch case"