Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
nlvnrce h the unIted states.

statistics 90 10 show that while in one
wears record IN France. there were s.24S
divorces granted: in Germany. s.lsl; In
Russia. LIS: in England. 5oS; there were
N the United states. IA divorces grant
Cd for various reasons. What reason can
We give for this immense number as COM
pared with other similar civilizations?
What excuse can be rendered.
II this record IS not disgraceful what
shall we call IT.
Do Americans hold the marriage rela-
tfor more loosely than others or DO our
AVS permit indiscrIminate marriages TO
be followed by the same sort Of divorcesE
What does Il mean?
This evil is becoming one Of terrible
growth and magnitude. In looking over
the records OF New York city a few years
ago Il was stated there we're 1900 divorce
cases handled in the regular divorce
courts IN one single year. Thirteen thou
sand homes broken up. children's lives
saddened. grass widows thrown out on
the world uuarrels over property and
new marriages. OF immoral lives contin-
ned. Among the 200 IL Is not uncom-
mon for married men and married women
to form new entanglements In society
and get divorces and marry among them
selves and all go along leading society
Just the same as ever.
What does such society really stand
fort Money. VIII do all these things Tor
the rich. and II sets the pace for those
not 50 rich. and IL is only the low down
who get berated for the Immoral features
q this divorce business.
Much Of It grows out OF the haste ana
silly love making OF silly people. Any
fellow that can get a dollar and half
IN his pocket 10 buy a license seems able
TO marry any silly girl who Is bent on
marrying. and getting away from home
that she thinks or believe 20 be disagree
able to her happiness.
Much OF Il grows out OF the disregard OF
the authorities in granting such licenses,
and the carelesSness OF ministers and le-
gal officers In performing the marriage
ceremony. Love at first sight sometimes
turns out to be no love at all. and we are
told OF Chicago Judge who ordered
divorce because a man slammed the door
and hurt his wife's hand within ten min
utes after the application paper was Med.
Something must be done 20 put a stop
70 hasty marriages II no check can be put
on divorces. A marriage certificate ought
70 be a health certificate always. It is
not fair or Just TO unborn children 20 al
low them 10 come here with such a load
or disease added to inbred sin. as some
diseases entail. A drunkard should never
be granted a license TO marry, because
he Is too much married TO liquor TO be
a suitable husband for a wife. Fully two
thirds OF divorces are granted for cruelty
and neglect OF wife and children.
All marriages should be published at
least month ahead OF time. Secrecy is
. poor Ingredient in the marriage MKT
ure- When a woman consents to a Sc
cret marriage she is FiskIng everything
she holds dear. The inference is natural
that there IS something 10 be complained
Of or something TO be ashamed OF in such
hidden affairs.
or ali the things IN mortal life. marriage
should be best understood II you are not
sure. dear girls. wait until you are sure:
and while parents counsel is not always
pure and disinterested. II Is both in ninety
cases out Of every hundred.
IN my opinion marriage should carry
a bond for performance OF contract. No
man can handle public money unless he
makes q legal bond. A girl well raised
and respected ought TO be equal to the
value OF q postoffice or a revenue position.
There must be something done about the
mating OF all sorts OF folks in the mar
rage relation.
Il Is doubtless the slackness, the loose
ness the indifference and the unconcern
Of our marriage license system in Amer
lea that produces such an avalanche OF
There seems 20 be very little saeredness
in the business according TO general ex-
perience. A wedding means a frOlic. fine
clothes and q start of. 20 end where-nO.
man can tell. as certainty.
lok on a wedding TO be almost as
serious as a funeral In many cases. IL is
really more so. because death sometimes
stops divorce proceedings. for one or the
other. and weddings seem 10 be a supply
place 70 furnish them. Ignorance and In
difference are at the bottom OF many OF
them Something must be done TO make
a better showing In America