New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-22
NO MOCK MARRLAGES.
Ladies Hungarian Society at Var
OUer HaJing Them at Ball.

Fer nine years the Ladies Auxiliary Of the Hun
garlan Literary Society has filed its Golfers by
means Of peasant ball az which mock marriages
and divorces have been the chief attraction and UP
20 the present time objection has ever been
made 10 the performance. The seeds Of dissension
were sown, however. when the success Of the
peasant ball attracted the attention Of a society
fn Paterson y J. and LED 10 an imitation OF the
Hungarian methods A local clergyman protested
against what he termed a desecration Of the mar
rage rite The affair got into the newspapers and
some Of the members Of the Ladies' Auxiliary TO
the Hungarian Literary Society began 10 think
that their matrimonial mimicry just the
thing. When IL was proposed therefore, TO carry
out the usual arrang ements for the peasant ball.
which is TO take place on New Years Eve at Sui
ze-s Harlem Casino, they entered q vigorous pro
test and the point was hotly contested
The president. Miss Ethel Moskovics, headed the
conservative party and her followers being largely
II the majority. the reformers were voted down.
But. though beaten. the latter have not been ST
fenced. and intend 10 have something more 10 say
at the next meeting. Meantime the usual prepare
tions for the ball are going on.
These mock marriages and divorces are our chief
source Of revenue" said AIOrirz Cukor honorary
president OF the Hungarian Literary Society, 10
a Tribune reporter yesterday and TO give them
Up means 10 give up the charitable work for which
the proceeds OF the peasant ball are used. The
alleged improperly OF the performance unable
10 see, and ! don't think il would ever have oc-
Cured to any Of the members OF the Ladies AUX
iisry had il not been for the Paterson incident.
The thing is national Hungarian institution. and
PEASANTS bail with mock marriages and divorces
Is given every year in Budapest for the benefit OF
the city hospitals The best families in the city
take part IL The festival and II is patronized by
members o. the royal family and nobility. The
Crown Prince used 10 be the patron while he was
Those who object TO the continuance Of the
practice say that il leads 70 disorder and undue
levlty Of behavior. but 1 think our experience Of
nine years shows that this is not the case. Last
year we mad i've thousand people al the ball, with
only one policeman, and he wasn't needed. The
bah is always a family affair. Grandparents.
parents and children come together and the old
people take part IN the marriages and get
The ceremony bears no resemblance whatever 10
real marriage ceremony. The hail is trans
by consrables in real Hungarian costumes These
olleeEs arrest az co99-@s sen ~4-EIls on
ne preteXt that II IS against the laws or the VII
lsRe for young man and woman 10 appear n
I.o-e togeIeE al.!ess ley Sls -eL1-go' ~ ne
cnsent 70 De married ne taxes them 70 lle tenn
po-sry clergyman. and II not he escorts them TO
have paid WfsteTe2 fne the judge thinks suitable
70 their means. In the mock marriage ceremony
the and woman are asked II they viii have
sn ol5eT bo W. og nc brde nser The brf5e 1
Is made out with fictitious names or no names
all For this Zee is exacted, according 10 what
the clergyman thinks the man would care 10 pay
after going through the divorce court the couples
may be married again II they choose ana lhey can
repeat The process as many tines as they Ike
opposition 10 The practice IS very serious and
don expect 10 hear anything more about Il. The
vheiT1ling minority the meeting thar think
they viii either stay away from the next or
say nothing. Out OF hfty-fve present at the last
meeting only seven spoke against the mock mar
riaRes. and only Eve others sympatnized with
them"
IN addition these attractions the Ladies Aux
EIary Is providing this year a representation OF
me recruiting OF soldiers for the revolutionary
army n the Hungarian revo ution o. 1875 This
viii be made. Ear possible, true picture OF
the tire "a question. and TWO Hungarian dances.
the Levente and the NerbUngOs. viii be introduced
frro il Costumes for the scene and Tor the vii
layers are being brought from Hungary FOR The
occasion.
The ball is always given ca Acw-Year's I've and
one q the ways in which the money IS expended
70 give Christmas treat 70 three or four nun
ored children who are literally supplied with
coLhes TOYS and candies, each Elrl getting cloak
and dress and each boy 2 suit
b. q committee Of the Ladies AUXILIARY, VINO
though most OF them are employed during the day
checrfuliy ceyote their spare time to climbing up
and Gown tenement stairs