The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-11

Matrimony and the cost of justice
were the two subjects discussed in the
lower house yesterday afternoon. At
ter debate that spread itself over the
greater part of two days, and in which
nearly every member of the house eX-
pressed his views several times over,
the Kenner marriage bill, or the
wreck of the bill. as its author
ironically termed it, was passed In the
form finally accepted it prohibits the
marriage of males under the age of II
years, and of females under the age of
! Is years, these being the only particu-
lars in which the present law is
changed.
Calls justice of the peace fee bill
was also passed, with a few amend
ments. This bill provides for a higher
schedule than the present law, but
/ lower than the old territorial law and
lower than the fees recommended by
the code commission.
House bill No. 81, Kenner's marriage
/ bill, was taken UP as unfinished bust
ness. 1t had been amended on the pre-
vious day by changing the ages of
males from IS to 16 and of females from
/ 16 to Il.
/ the ages at is and 20, which was ruled
| out of order, a similar amendment
having been disposed of on the previous
day.
O'Brien offered an amendment fix
ing the ages of 10 and H. Duffin
moved to lay it on the table, but hast
lily withdrew his motion when he
learned that ii would table the bill.
O'Brien's amendment was rejected.
KENNER TRIES TO SAVE IT.
Kenner made a desperate attempt to
rescue his bill from destruction. 1t
was evident, he said, that the temper
of the house was against the measure.
As amended, it would leave things
about as they were before. His pur-
pose in framing the bill was to fur
Their the interests of society under
present conditions. without reference
to the conditions of 40 years ago. 1t
might be proper for a girl of Il to be
fondling a babe of her own, instead of
doll, but he did not believe it was
right. He could not understand why
certain members should insist on re-
tanning about the only thing left of the
old conditions. He was willing to make
another concession to those who were
opposed to any change, and offered an
amendment fixing the ages at II
and Is.
Sloan thought vicious principle
was involved in this legislation. The
obligations of parents should not be
invaded by the law. 1.-The next thing"
said he, will be proposition TO legis-
late children into existence"
Romney favored the amendment and
the purpose of the bill, in the interest
of the sanctity of the home.
Thoreson thought this was a piece of
special legislation called forth by an
incident that occurred in this city a
few weeks ago. The people were not
clamoring for such law, and the
legislature should let good enough
alone.
Bennion could not understand how
certain members knew so exactly what
their constituents wanted and what
they did not want. He did not believe
the people were in favor of these early
marriages.
The discussion was further carried on
by Greer. Dotson. Lund and Taylor
The latter member as an illustration
of the evils of early marriages, REL fed
an epitaDh he had seen on a tomb
stone in England, as follows: Twelve
years I was a maid; one year I was a
wife; one day l was a mother, and then
I lost my life
To put an end to the interminable
debate, Roylance demanded the pre-
ment was adopted by a vote of 81 to 10.
SPECIAL LICENSE.
Kenner offered another amendment.
providing that a district judge might
grant a special license TO parties under
the ages fixed by law, with the consent
of the parents, and when it was made
to appear that marriage in such cases
would tend to conserve morality.
ria tod hn L.
stricken out, because he thought no
such stigma should be attached to any
marriage His amendment and Ken
ner's amendment were rejected
THE BILL PASSED.
Sloans motion to strike out the en-
acting clause was defeated and the bill
was then passed. by a vote of 90 to a.
Even roll call did not shut off debate,
to explain their views as their names
were called.
On Kenner's motion, the capital pun
ishment bill went over, and the regular |
order was proceeded with.
Calls justice of the peace fee bill /
was taken up as unfinished business, |
and Mr.. Calls denied the statement /
that it made sweeping reductions. |
Compared with the present law, it pro-
POSED an increase. but fixed the fees |
lower than proposed by the code COM
Greer said the bill was satisfactory !
to the justices with whom he had com
and O'Brien declared it con-
tanned provisions Objectionable to mag /
istrates he had consulted.
Parrys mind was still running on
and he wanted to reduce the |
marriage fee from So to So 1t was a /
very enjoyable ceremony and the Of !
floating Justice was usually Toasted |
and otherwise entertained.
Robinson proposed u reduction to 80
cents, lin the interest of Republican
ism and for the purpose of fostering
infant industries
Calls. one of the two unmarried
members, was perfectly willing to pay
SIS when the critical moment arrived.
Finally, on Murdocks motion, the
fee was fixed at $3.50.
With a few more slight amendments
the bill was passed by a vote of IL
to l.
The committee on highways and
bridges presented a favorable report
on =. p Sorenson's bill for an appro-
priation TO build a bridge over the
Grand river. and it went to the COM
nittee on appropriations. Martins bill
$1,000 for improvement
Of the road between Moab and Month
cello was also favorably reported
The judiciary committee recon-
mended the rejection of house bill No
81, as the subject was covered by the
code commission report.
The public health committee recon-
mended tne rejection of Dotson's mort
gage tax repeal bill, on the ground that
It was unconstitutional. On Shepards