Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-06-13
MINERAL POINT, WISCONSIN. THURSDAY JUNE ID, 1895
A Protest Against Charivaris.

While there is primarily no disre-
spect or harm intended by most of
those who take part in the chariv-
aris, which have become too reg
ular attachment to weddings in this
city, the practice is one that should
be abated. Tho indiscrete and rowdy-
ish element of boys and youths al
ways form part of these gatherings,
and in almost every instance during
these proceedings-at best of ques-
tionahle propriety-this worser ele-
ment becomes Extensively prominent.
The following letter of Rev. +. w.
Straw, condemning the charivari,
and calling for its abatement, is
timely and should be needed:
TO the Editor: While performing
the duties of my calling since living
in this city have been an unwilling
witness to the charivaris connected
with wedding ceremonies, and wish
to protest against them. A wedding
is usually considered time of re-
ioicing, but Mt the same time there is
l.
hour. At the wedding ceremonies
in this city at which have otficiated
the ceremony has been so disturbed
by the beating of pans and by rap
ping ON the windows and doors that
1t was impossible to go through the
service and prayers with any de-
corum. This has been very annoy
ing, yet | would not make public
complaint Of a personal annoyance.
But there are three reasons why these
exhibitions ought to be stopped.
First-They are direct encourage
ment to rowdyism in the young peo-
| pie. There is license demanded
which would be considered intorable
at any other time. Every part of the
grounds are entered and every kind
of liberty taken. | have seen the
walks and doors so crowded with
boys, and sometimes girls, that 1t was
almost impossible for the guests to
enter the house, and this was not by
children, but by young people of from
| II to Ia up to 20 years Of age. Such a
thing fiavors too strongly of the back
woods to be continued by the people
of Mineral Point.
! Second-It has ONE to be a regular
thing that money Is demanded as d
| tribnte to this lawlessness; the de-
mands are made in such a manner
| that no refusal will be taken. The
| only alternative is more disturbance
and more liberties taken. The right
| is claimed to remain until such de-
mands are complied with. A court
eous refusal and explanation by II
| ladyy recently, was answered In the
/ Iaxrf Ita
| gentlemen (?) who were demanding
two dollars. Sometimes their de-
mands are made by five or six differ
ent crowds in one evening. There is
not much difference between such
exactions and robbery. If these boys
| and girls were "hoodlumsp in some
tough neighborhood in large city
| it would not occasion surprise--it Is
surprising in a city like Mineral
| Point.
Third--The money thus demanded
| is largely spent for beer and cigars.
So that a wedding ceremony means
! the treats for any who are uman-
nerly enough to demand them and
| boorish enough to persist in the de-
mand. The crowd may not be, as
a rule a drinking crowd, but there are
| always some who drink, and at such
a time they influence the others.
think quite likely the blame be-
longs more to some Of the older peo-
pie than to those who participate,
because they have allowed it to go
on, and sometimes even encouraged
it. But | submit that a custom which
tends directly to rowdyism among
the girls and to rowdyism and drink
ing among the boys is not fit to be
tolerated in our city. If the parents
will keep the younger children at
home, and those interested will re-
fuse to encourage the matter by sub
mitting to the demands, and then
perhaps few arrests shall be made,
this disgrace to our city will soon be
at an end. +. w. STRAW.