The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-05
WHAT H ARE SAYING
Little Rhody's Humiliation.
New York Nail ana Express.

Poor iittIs Rhode Island is in u shocking
state Of decentralization. She would unques-
tionably shrink within herself for shame had
she the necessary space. Never again viii she
point tho finger OF scorn or ridieule at her
neighbors In the Union. She has had many
problems to solve, but for the first time In
her history she has today a record TO live
down. For half q century, we are informed
ny tho commission appointed to revise the
statutes Of Roger Williams commonwealth
there has hardly been u legal marriage cere-
mohy performed in Rhode Island. Here is a
state OF things, indeedl A blow which might
well shatter the very keystone OF any State,
but which. when siEtd at ono In close
proximity to the landing place Of she Pilgrims
-one where for many, many years the atmos-
phere was suh used vita an azure haze. re-
nected from the blue laws Of Now England
becomes truly appalling in its possibilities
and it's possible effects upon the moral and
mental balance Of the hitherto weltpoised and
righteous little Rhody. =
The fact that tho conditions suggested are
the result OF inadvertency, and not intent.
removes the taiat OF criminality, but not the
burden Of humiiiatiop. 1t disarms confemna
ton, hut substitutes pity, which Is not less
revolving 10 tho highly polished sense OF
dowH east rectitude and sell-appreciation. IL
replaces the horns with the ounces cap. but
yet adds little to the beauty of little Rhody's
head gear.
The present distressing dilemma 10 due TO
tho discovery Of an unrepealed law Of 60 years
sgo. providing that no marriage should be
legal unless performed by the proper officials
or by a duly licensed clergyman Of some re-
hgious denomination. To mako such license
legal. registration by clergymen was re-
quired. For this purpose proper registry
books were furnished TO all the town and city
clerks; but after a few years the law was
permitted 70 become a dead letter, and was
finally forgotten, with the result that nearly
every marriage solemnized In the State since
that time has been in violation OF the State
law. and hence invalid. II any enterprising
citizen. with n record for research, has at
hand any legal relic calculated to prove more
embarrassing to the pulpit and to the good
folk Of q model community. Rhode Island is
willing to pay handsomely for IL, and retire
with satisfaction to second place In the list Of
utter. but undoserved, degradation.
The General Assembly having adjourned
until April. q retroactive bill for relief from
this condition OF stranded public morality
cannot be considered until then. Meanwhile,
Rhode Island will bury her pride deep in the
sands Of her ocean.lapped shore. Newport
will don sackcloth and ashes for the company
in which 10 has mixed. Engaged couples viii
seek the hymenial altar in States where there
are ties that bind, and the clergy and the
press will unite in suppressing a discussion
which. az best, can be productive only of en-
barrassing and distressful reflections upon the
Intelligence OF tho past half-century. as de-
veloped within the boundaries Of their be-
loved little Rhody.