Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-03-22
Compulsory Marriage.

"A distinguished allenlst" expresses
the opinion that we need law making
marriage compulsory before the age.
of 25, or 80. at the latest. He gives as
his reason the fact that medical re-
search has shown that wedlock con-
duces greatly to health and sanity. In
order to make the benefits OF this state
universal, he would make it compul-
sorry. This attitude of mind is by no
means rare among n certain type of
scientists, says the Cleveland Leader.
In the cold logic of science, as these
gentry see it, there is room for the COM
pick emotions, attractions and repul-
sions that go to make up human ma
ture, observes the Philadelphia Bulle-
tin. Having established certain con.
illusions as the result of physiological
or psychological investigation, they
take it for granted that they have
sounded the depth of truth, and that
the welfare of the race demands the
hard and fast application of the rules
which they lay down. The idea of pa
ternal government regulation of mar
rlage is by no means new. 1t has been
preached with much feivor by sun
dry "reformers" with an abiding faith
that the world can be made bright by
Legislative enactment. Fortunately,
the hard common sense Of mankind has
almost always rejected their nostrums
with contempt The scientist in ques-
hou might better devote his valuable
time to other matters. Marriage is a
great deal older than science and the
process of natural selection by which
it is attained in most lands will not
be affected by scientific dictum. The
cry that not enough people enter into
the matrimonial relation in these days
needs no attention. In this matter,
above all others, freedom of choice
when individuals have reached years
of account liability is essential, and will
remain unimpaired. There will never
be any lack of happy homes in this
rePublie Nature, which is more pow
erful than all doctors, will regulate the
problem in her own way.
We rise to ask for information, an
nounces a Nebraska writer. Does the
memory of man extend back far
enough 10 remember ever seeing a
woman with frosted ears? We have
reached the slope on the other side of
life, but woman with q frostbitten
ear we have seen not. The architects
of woman's headgear never build them
with any thought Of warmth, and the
brevity of them precludes taking In
the ears unless they are extremely
long, and no matter how cold the
weather, almost every lady you see on
the street will face the most biting
wind, while her ears look like n danger
signal Oh either side of her head. The
only way we can account for the phes
npmepa i: the wonderful warm heart
each one Of these dearcreatures carries
in her bosom. They nre styled the
weaker sex, but for real fortitude to
stand pain, suffering and cold they can
put TO shame the bravest lord of creae
ton on earth,
An aged Georgia negro, Nathan by
name, is employed by gentleman
| very prominent in state politics, says
the Youths Companion, That Nathan
also has an eye to political favors is
shown by the following conversation,
| which recently took place between him
and his employers "Marse Jim said
Nathan, SIS you gwine in dis yere race
fer GOVERNOR" Haven't thought
about it, We'll, eff yer does run an
| gifts elected, will You give me job?''
Certainly would remember you, Ma
than. What would you like?" well
sub, I'd des like ter black boots roun'
de capitol "And what would you ex-
pect for that service?" well, suh," he
replied, II should say four dollahs day
woul! be reasonable. Das what de
yuther legislators get"
There is a woman in Delaware 4:
years old, who was married when she
was 10, and has given birth to 10 chill
dren. The amount of walking he,
husband has done in the not too quie,
watches of the night would probably
qualify him to enter a six-days' go-as
| you-please pedestrian contest.
A letter received in Georgia was ad