The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-02-05
Superior CIergymen Ask the Legis
Iature to Revise the Marriage
Laws OF the State.
KENOSHA MINISTERS SAY "AMEN.n
None of Them Desire to Talk on Matter
But All Look Happy at the Prospect of
a Change in the Laws.

/ Way up IN the northern peninsula of
the state the ministers of West Supe-
rior, knowing the trouble and loss of
wealth that has been brought to Ke-
nosha ministers by the True Marriage
bill, ia true brotherly spirit have
sent petition to the state legislature
lder1anding.that,new laws be enacted in
regard to the marriage of couples in
the state. The ministers of Superior
declare that the present laws are ferc-
ing couples to go to neighboring states
to wed and that the Wisconsin legis-
lature should place no restriction of
five days nature on the marri.-z e
license.
The Kenosha ministers were seen
and when shown the resolutions sent
out by the Superior ministers they
were tickled to death but they refrained
from speaking for publication. Each
and every one of them seemed to echo
a loud "Amen" to the sentiments.
The resolutions passed by the min
listers at Superior, which will be pre-
sented to the legislature in few days,
are as follows:
Whereas, The present marriage
law, enacted during the legislative
session of 1899, though a manifest i'm
provement over existing former laws,
through its five days clause works
hardship upon many, which to us
seems an unnecessary one; and
Whereas, The object of the law.
viz, preventing clandestine marriages
and Opponents, is not accomplished
because of another clause providing
for dispensation from the former
clause by a judge of court of record;
and
Whereas, Many persons intending
to marry in our state find it more con-
venient to cross the border line into
one of our four adjoining states where
such provisions do not prevail, thus
being able to be united IN marriage at
once after obtaining d license and re-
turn the same day if desirable; and
Whereas, Owing to the present law
considerable financial loss is OCCASION
ed to the state by the many seeking
marriage in adjoining states, this be-
ing manifestly unfair to our own
commonwealth; and
Whereas, The present law does not
relieve the person officiating at the
marriage ceremony from the further
responsibility in performing it i'm.
posed upon him by the general statu-
tory provisions, rather than placing
that where it properly belongs, /. e.,
the state issuing the license, the said
person being still required by law to
administer the oath and apply the
questions subsequent to the granting
of the license.by the state.
| We, the undersigned committee of
the Ministerial association of the city
of Superior, appointed by that body,
respectfully request our representa-
tives IN the present state Legislature to
bring about, through legal means,
these desired changes, repeating the
present law and substituting for it one
that is more nearly uniform with those
of our neighboring states; providing
for system of licensing to marry
which recognizes the proper place of
responsibility and which does not COM
pei residents of the state to seek the
marriage bond in an adjoining state.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. LITH,
W. J. PATTON,
II. ALBENRAUS,
Committee of Superior Ministerial
Association