Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-02
MARRIAGE IN THE DISTRICT
Laws Not Enforced in Regard to the Union
of Minors.
Reasons Why This City Is to Some
Extent the Gretna Green of
NeighbOring States.

subject OF more IMAM pdsSiHS ihlSASS' A'o-
alone to the contractors thereof but to
their relatives, friends, scquaintances and
sometimes many others as well. But the
laws in force in the District of Columbia
or rather lack of laws, governing marriage
are far from familiar to the public in ger.-
eral. In speaking of the matter a few
days ago with a Star reporter the head OF
a well-known Washington family said:
II should like to be Informed II there Is
any law in this city that would, II enforced,
prevent young men from marrying under
twenty-one years of age? Ny attention
was recently called to the case Of young
man, nineteen years old, who is receiving
an income of s. per week, and who, within
the last week, married young woman
more helpless and poverty stricken than
himself. OF course. he took her home 20
his mother, who is a widow with large
family, and who has had very great diff
Guilty in providing the actual needs of life
for herself and little ones.
Il have always understood that a young
man or woman under twenty-one years of
age was a minor in the eyes Of the law and
not legally responsible. II this is so, how
can a marriage contract be binding between
minors?
II have son nearly grown continued
the husband and father, whose notes in
business 1 am compelled to indorse. He is
able and willing to pay his debts, yet no
business man will trust him until l au-
thorize them TO do so over my own sigma
ture. If my son is not legally responsible for
his debts and business dealings because he
Is under age how can his marriage, under
age, be legal?
Again. is there no law under which the
ministers, priests and others authorized
to perform the marriage ceremony can be
punished for binding together, as is done
every day, such persons as l have referred
to?
Responsibility of Ministers.
I'm my opinion, minister or priest who
marries a couple for the fee he receives,
who does not make proper inquiry into the
character. age, means of support, ETC., of
the applicants is a disgrace to the church
he represents"
What is the result generally of such a
marriage as 1 have alluded to? We all
know only too we'll No man ought to be
allowed to marry until he has arrived at
such an age as will insure a proper under
standing of the Importance of the step he
proposes to take, and can prove that he is
able to support himself and wife.
IF a law could be enacted and enforced
placing the age at which man can mary,
say twenty-five years. the population
would not increase rapidly as at pres
ent, the business Of the divorce courts
would be largely decreased. and much mis-
Now, strange as 1t may seem, there is no
law in force in the District of Columbia
prohibiting the marriage of minors. Under
the old English law girl fourteen years
Of age may choose her guardian, and it is
considered at that age that she should not
be denied the Plight of naming her hus-
band; consequently, licenses are issued by
the clerk of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia to all who may apply.
However, should parent request that a
license be refused young man the
ground of youth, as is almost daily oc-
currence, the clerk will make known the
protest to the applicant, should he mate
rialize. But in case a demand is then made
there is no other course left but to issue
the license.
Law Disregnrdcd.
It is also not generally known that re-
gardipg ministers there is penalty for
marrying persons under age. Chapter 80,
section 10, of the compiled statutes in force
in the District Of Columbia, provides: IF
any minister shall join in marriage any
male under the age Of twenty-one years. OF
any female under the age of sixteen years,
and not before married, without the con-
sent Of the parent or guardian of every
such person, personally given, or sig
nifled under the hand and seal of the said
parent or guardian, and attested by two
witnesses, he shall forfeit and pay $500
current money $1, 1913. 33 49,
1t is needless to state that no attention
whatever is paid to the statute quoted, for
rearly every day persons are Joined in we'd
lock at the city hall. within a stones
throw thereof, by ministers of the gospel,
and 10 questions are asked except those re-
quired in the form for the marriage cere-
mony.
One of the chief sources of revenue for
the clerks Office is the cash received in re-
turn for licenses to wed, and it is indeed
a dull day, and a Friday, too-it is con-
sidered unlucky to marry on Frday-that
an assistant clerk is not almost constantly
engaged in handing out the all-inlportar'
certificates bearing the necessary seal
the Supreme Court, in exchange for dol
lar bills.
In this connection it may be stated that
any person can obtain license for any