The morning call., 1894-07-04
FIGHTING OVER MARRIAGES.


fight about. European dispatches an
nounce that revolution and civil war in
Hungary have been averted by the pas
sage after a struggle which has lasted
twenty-five years of The civil marriage bill.
To understand the importance attached
to the measure il must be remem bered
that Hungary is peopled by 100000 Cath
olics, 100000 Protestants and about
100000 Jews, Serbs, Roumanians and
other SlaYs. Eight matrimonial codes are
in force which abound in strange and
contradictory provisions. Catholics and
members of the Greek church consider en-
gagements as binding az marriages; among
Protestants engagements carry no legal
weight. In the Greek church candidates
for matrimony must show written an
thority from their parents. No such re-
qurement is exacted by Catholic priests.
a son of one church married according to
the rites Of another is not married at all.
In a suit for divorce, If the defendant
changes his or her faith, the suit is thrown
out on demurrer. When Jew becomes
a Catholic, his first marriage is annuled,
and he may marry again. But if his first
wife turns Catholic, his second marriage
becomes null, and the second wife is no
wife at all. Each of the eight matrimonial
codes gives to some one church exclusive
control Of marriage among the members
Of its faith, and in actions arising out of
marriage or divorce the courts are bound
to decide according TO the canons of that
church.
Many years ago, in the hope of introduc-
ing uniformity. civil marriages were in
stituted. But the clergy Of all denomina-
tions set their faces against them. The
Christians denounced civil marriage as
relic of barbarism which Christianity
superseded. The Jewish Rabbis pro-
nounced such marriages mere illegal con-
nections. With such vigor did the CON-
bined clergy labor that civil marriages
were discredited, and respectable people
viewed them with such dsapproval that
the offspring of many marriages were re-
garded as little better than illegitmate.
A prominent Hungarian parliamentary
leader had it thrown in his teeth that his
father and mother were not really married,
having only been united by magistrate
The French law recognizes no marriages
as valid unless they are solemnZed by a
civil magistrate. A bill to that effect has
been regularly introduced at each session
of the Hungarian Parliament, and once or
twice it has passed the lower house. 1t
has always been thrown out by the House
of Magnates. At the last meeting of Par
lament it was beaten in that house by a
msjority Of twenty-one. But the Hnnga-
rian people showed such disposition to
rebel that the Emperor thought it his duty
to interfere. Hungary has, in times past,
flown to arms on less pretexts than this.
Francis Joseph had interviews with the
recalctrant mobiles, and the result was
that ten who had abstained from voting
last session now agreed to vote for the bill
and fifteen of those who had voted against
it promised to absent themselves. SO the
bill passed by slim majority of four. and
the danger of trouble was averted
The importance of the measure arises
from the fact that it is regarded as the
precursor Of other changes in the ecclesi-
astical code Of Hungary. The Prime Minis
ter, Dr. Wekerle, has already introduced
bills providing for the free exercise of re-
lgion, for assuring to Jews the same rights
as Christians. and for preven ting arbitrary
interference with the faith of children of
mixed marriages. The Emperor is known
to be in favor of these changes, while bis
heir, Karl Ludwig. is supposed to be
against them. They will not become laws
without struggle. The Hungarian Mag
mates are naughty and high spirited, and see
in every innovation an encroachment upon
their time-honored rights, and the common
people are turbulent and unruly. prompt
to rise in arms at the least suggestion that
they are being unjustly dealt with. To
keep the peace among the various races
which constitute the Hungarian people
requires the most delicate handling.
Whether the Hungarian prelates will
throw their influence to the side of reform
may be inferred from their action on the
civil marriage law; they may possibly
follow the example set by the Bishop of
Breslau when civil marriage was instituted
in Prussia and make the best of lost
cause.