St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-27
NEW JERSEY MATRIMONIAL
MILLS.

New Jersey has long been Gretna
Green for ioye-sick SWANS aud their
inamoratas from New York and Penn
sylvania. A half hours ride from
either city would land couple at Cam
den, where there were scores of JUS
tees. notaries and clergymen in wait
ing to perform the marriage ceremony
to order. The laws OF New Jersey have
not heretofore required the issue of
marriage licenses. while those of the
adjoining states have been very strn
gent. Couples who could not procure
the consent of parents or guardians to
their marriage have had no difficulty in
clipping TO New Jersey and there hav-
ing the nuptial knot tied, and no ques-
tons asked.
The law just passed by the legisla-
ture requires that when parties non
resident in the state are married they
shall produce license from the clerk
of the court of the county whence they
came. and if under the lawful age shall
in addition produce certificate from
their parents or guardians asserting to
the union. FThese certificates are to he
filed with the clerk of the court by the
person performing the ceremony, and
any failure to do so is visited with Sc
we're penalties.
The new law, as may well be mag
ined, is not popular with those who
protited under the old system. The
business of marrying clipping couples
had grown to great proportions. Matri-
| monial shops were recognized institu-
ton in Camden, Trenton and Jersey
City. There were justices and clergy
men who made specially of the bust
ness, had runners at all the boat land
ings and railway depots to solicit trade,
and grew rich from the fees received.
AS may be supposed, they were none
TOO punctilious. They did not require
proof that the parties applying were OF
the legal age or had the parental appro-
val. A Ereeuback Was sufficient to
| soothe any Qualms of conscience that
might attack them. Most of these mar
rlages, numbering in Camden alone over
five thousand last year. were productive
OF much misery, and as "a consequence
the dockets of the divorce courts in the
L
tests from New York and Pennsylvania
were of no avail for long time. and it
| is probable that they would have re-
| manned unheeded still, had not the
courts in those states recently declared
New Jersey marriages illegal and void.
This had the effect of keeping many
clipping couples away from the New
Jersey matrimonial mills. aud has had
its influence in bringing about the re-
cent enactment.
Our marriage laws generally are al
together too lax. 1t is possible for any
couple, no matter how unsuitable. to be
Joined together III wedlock. Negroes
marry white women with impuniLy,
Chinese are mated with Caucasians; the
aged man, tottering TO his grave, es-
corts the child to the altar, and there
is always clergyman found with mort
buDd conscience TO perform the cere-
mony. The reform OF the future must
lie in the direction OF increasing the
difficulties i'll the way of those contem-
plating matrilnony. it is grave mis-
take to say that all men and women
should marry if they have the chance.
Many are unsuited for the relationship.
and by plunging into wedlock not only
ruin their own happiness, but that of
their partners i'll folly. besides bringing
misery upon their children, If they
should be so unfortunate as to have
any.
1t is full time that the matrimonial
shops of New Jersey were closed. The
new law will no doubt be productive of
improved conditions