The Savannah morning news., 1901-01-01
WEDDINGS AND PROSPERITY.
A Subtle Connection Between the
Two shown by Statistics.


Two shown by Statistics.
During the year 1900 that expired in
noise and glory at midnight last night,
there were united in the holy bonds of
matrimony, within the confines of Chat
ham county, Just 1882 holders of tickets
IN that lottery. And it wasn't a very
good year for weddings either.
From O'Clock on the morning of Jan.
to O'Clock on the afternoon of Dec.
81, 1900, Clerk Keilbach, of the Court of
Ordinary, issued 1856 marriage licenses.
This was smaller number than was is
sued for amy year since 1897, when 100
couples were given legal permission to
try their luck.
1t has been said that the number of
marriages is in quite constant proportion
70 the prosperity of the community. be-
ing large in years when business is good
ana the people fourishing and becoming
relatively small when an era of hard times
begins to have its effects.
Inc marriage expert can figure out some
SUCH conclusion from abe statistics that
are preserved in the office of the clerk
Oh the court of Ordinary. In 1892, when
the country was in a condition reasonably
rage licenses. In 1893, when the hard
times began to make themselves felt the
number of licenses fell to 659 1t was 666
IN 1894, 6SS in 1895 and $50 in 1896 In 1897.
When returning prosperity made a man
willing to give some few hostages to for.
tune, the number of licenses issued furnped
10 $780, and in 1897, when the tide of good
llmes had reached it's flood. the number
reached 1926. That number is the highest
ever reached in Chatham county.
In 1899 there were S25 mar
rage licenses issued, and in 1900 7e6 Tho
large number of marriages in 1898 has been
explained by saying that many couples
mad postponed their nuptias until the re-
turn OF good times, and these back num-
oers We're added to the events that would
have been pulled off at any rate
For two years now the month of ADril
mas led in the number of marriage Ii
eehses issued. In 1850, Clerk Keilbach is
SUED ninety-fve licenses, an average of
more than three day, during the month
OF April. In 1899, he isused eighty-seyen
licenses during the same month. In both
years December ran April a close second
there being seventy-seven licenses in that
month of 1900 and ieighty-two in 1899
theories seem rather unable to cope
with this situation of affairs and to ac-
count for the preference exhibited by the
bridal couples for these months of the
year. In April it may be that the in
huence of the spring makes itself felt and
IN December the approach of the Christ
man season, with it's practice of giving,
possibly induces the young woman to give
herself But this is surmise To one who
has had no experience with such things,
May would seem to be as nice a month
to get married in as April or any other,
and yet during May of last year but fifty
two licenses to wed were issued This
was the smallest number for any month
during the entire year.
1t is rather curious to note that during
the past year the number of licenses is
sued to white couples was increased by
seven over that of the preceding year,
while the number issued to negroes was
decreased by thirty-siX. Still though the
number of negro marriages was far in
excess of the marriage of whites, there
being sos of the former to 291 of the lat
ter. This apparent advantage is over
come by the divorces, wherein the me-
groes are parties about three times as
often as their white neighbors
The following is a tabulated statement
of the number of licenses issued for each
month of the year 1900, to white and col
ored couples, with the totals for each
month and for each race and for the
year: