The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-01-23
LICENSES AND DIVORCES.
Ten Licenses to Tie In Probate Court
and Eight United.
ALL WERE NOT REACHED
Won Hands Down-Aungst Getting
Ready to lOffer Inducements
So as to Keep UP With
Divorce Court.

The probate court, where marriage
licenses are issued and the two are
made one, and the common pleas court,
where marriage ties are severed and
the one made two, have had a close race
this week. But Cupid is the victor.
When the common pleas court adjourn
ed for the week, on Friday afternoon,
the probate court was ahead and the
score stood S to TO-. That is, ten couples
had been granted marriage licenses
and launched into a state Of conjugal
bliss while eight couples had been part
ed and sent to enjoy a state of single
blessedness. 1t would undoubtedly re-
quire a very exhaustive metaphysical
examination of the subject to discover
whether the probate court group or the
common pleas crowd were the better
pleased with the weeks proceedings.
Upon the ground that the joy of the
ten couples is of a positive nature and
the satisfaction of the eight couples
of a negative quality, it might be argu-
ed that the probate court output had the
better of the argument as against the
product of the common pleas court.
However, both crowds seem to be very
we'll satisfied, as yet.
OF course it is not to be supposed that
the judges of the common pleas court
were trying to eclipse the record of the
probate office. Judge McCarty refused
divorces in two cases tried to him or
the record would have been even. And
if all the divorce cases assigned for trial
at the sessions during the week had
come to hearing the probate record
would have been left so far behind
that the element of competition would
have been entirely lost.
There were just twenty-three divorce
cases on the assignment for trial dur
ing the week. Ten came to trial and
the balance are held over for the future.
AS it was the probate office had a
hard time to keep the census of Stark
county families even and on the up
grade. The probate office got start
Monday while the other courts were
busy with the motion docket and other
matters. Two marriage licenses were
issued that day. Tuesday the license
market took a jump and four more
were lined up. Wednesday added two
more and Thursday finished the list
with two more. Friday is considered
an unlucky day and very few licenses
are ever issued then. There We're none
this week.
The divorce mill got a little start
Monday afternoon but did. not accomp-
lish anything till Tuesday. Separation
was provided for three pairs then. We'd
nesday another was added. Thursday
sent one more couple away divorced
and on Friday, the unlucky day for the
license court, the divorce list grew two
more. The lead of the probate office
could not be overcome, however, when
time came for adjournment. But there
are thirteen divorce cases assigned for
trial next week and unless Master
Cupid watches his points he may find
himself behind at the end of next week,
at least.
The record makes a bigger showing
for the divorce side than at first ap-
pears when it is considered that it is
much harder to get a divorce iilan it is
to get marriage license, and more
expensive too. The cheapest kind of a
legal pettifogger will not get divorce
case through the court for less than
about $95 while marriage licenses are
freely offered at rs cents apiece.
In view Of these facts 1t looks as If
something would have to be done
"NSi VIZ Si'iiSi W SliHluldIc the IIldlTl-
monial market or to check the rush for
divorces or there are likely to be q lot
of empty houses. Then the rents will
come down and real estate men will
howl and a panic be precipitated forth
with.
But 1t is thought all this can be avert
ed. All that is necessary in this free
America is to call the attention of the
rising generation to the needs in the
case and 1t is anticipated that all will
go well. And then, in about two week.
Judge Aungst will take entire charge o.
the probate office and he may be ex.
pected, with reason, to take some step!
to improve the situation. He Is al
ready preparing to lay in blg supply
of those mammoth marriage certih2ate
OF various designs and sizes, wrought il
all the colors CT the rainbow and cover
ed with frisliY looking little cupids an,
orange blossoms and lilies of the val
ley. A few of these displayed upoi
the walls Of the Office. it is expected
viii bring such trade as viii keeI
the new deputy busy all the day long
and throw the common pleas court com
pletely In the shade.