Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-05-04
The Bachelor Bin Decided.

The Bachelor Bin Decided.
The Gruysville Philosophers met
| last Monday evening at IT, residence
Of Prof. II. Hewitt, to consider the
| bachelor bill now before the legislat-
ure, and to debate it in all its bear
ings before it was passed by the leg
islature. For, If it should be passed
by the law makers before it has been
duly handled by this scientific body,
1t will certainly be II failure.
Prof. John X. Wallis opened the
discussion by saying: Gentlemen:
/ suppose you are all aware that the
| bill now pending and debated in our
Legislature is matter Of vast inn
portance to the state, the nation and
mankind in general. Marriage, !
in life; that, on that act depend the
| happiness ana destiny of the race,
not only of those living, but of gen
erations yet to come. Such an act
requires mans best intelligence aud
most serious consideration, The
emotions and passions should be en-
tirely out of the question. Love and
humanity should be the only mo-
| tives to prevail in this relationship.
And for the state to compel men in
to Z condition and position for which
| they nave no desire or fitness Is to
destroy the best interests of HUMANE
ty.n Then, in eloquent and classic
terms, lie contended that there were
chronological, physiological, physi-
| ognomical and psychological reas-
ons why men should not marry and
| that if the state could not prove the
contrary to his assertions, after care
| full investigations of these condi-
| lions, the law would be a serious Diet
riment to the people. 1t was evident
from his historical quotations that
| he was we'll versed in the subject. He
| eloquently recommended the state
tai, moral and physical examination
of all who proposed to marry.
Pref, II. Hewitt arose and said he
was sorry to differ with Prof. Wallis.
H had known him many years and
had always este emed very highly
his philosophy until he became ac-
quainted with Horticulture, which
latter had produced IA wonderful
change in his opinions. Thus he was
compelled 10 differ with Prof Wal.
lis. Marriage, he thought, was mans
best estate, that nature and provi-
dence had both designed he should
marry, that God had even command
ed it, and provided him an help
meet. That ninety per cent of all
the tramps, prisoners and good-fOr-
nothings were unmarried men. He
said James Buchanan was the only
bachelor president we have had in
the United States and he was the
only complete failure. He showed
that woman has humnnizing iuiiu-
ence, and that in the domestic, re-
| ligious and social spheres she was
the controlling power. That was the
| reason and cause of our high state of
| civilization. He thought that the
state had "A perfect right to provide
| for those who did not have brains
enough to provide for themselves,
and that for these reasons he was in
| hearty sympathy with the proposed
| law.
At this part of the discussion the
brethren became SO excited that DR..
Guudry was compelled TO demand
order. Five or six were Oh their
feet, all anxious to be heard. The
! president called ON Prof w. Bennett
who stepped into the arena, He
stretched himself tc his full height
after partaki"g of a little fresh
water, then assuming an oratOrical
attitude, raising his right hand and
/ pointing his index finger at the last
! speaker, he exclaimed: "Gentiemen
Gentlemen, Gentlemen! am sur
prised at that mapi"
Or. Gundry called him to order
and said, "Prof. Benuett, we are con
sidering tho bachelor bill now before
the legislature, not personalities.
want you all to remember this. for
If you don't | will give you pill
that will quiet you all. Now sir, &c
ahead
Prof Bennett thanked the presi-
dent and proceeded, stating that. in
his opinion, Prof Wallis was per.
fectly right, and had advanced argu.
meuts enough to convince any body
of men; thot the proposed law was
not only an infringement upon iudi.
vidual rights, but would be disas