Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18

existence and rapidly on the increase. The
number of divorces today has reduced the
marriage relation to a temporary state"
DO you agree with Mrs. Parsons that
there should be one code of morals for men
and women DR.. Peters was asked.
yes; believe in one code of morals for
both sexes, bat think that the attitude of
the average man in placing woman on
pedestal of virtue that he himself has prob
ably fallen from is wholesome attitude
and his demanding more of her than he de-
nands or expects from men is an indirect,
but very sincere, compliment to woman.
1t is WELL too, for the family that the wife
and mother should be above reproach in
every possible sense.
las to the public school teachers and
state-paid nurses directing the home train
ing of children, am too old fashioned to
believe in that idea. The home training of.
child should be done by the mother, an
mothers should be we'll equipped for th4fp
work. So ys>N g
Training schools for mothers are what
we need more than public school nurses,
that girl about to marry should be able
to Of taa eb sds knows of the
Qualification of Health.
Certificates of health should be neces-
sary for persons who wish to marry? The
number of marriages between persons ut
terly unfit for their duties as husbands,
wives, and parents Is disgrace to So
ciety and menace to the health, mental
and physical, of the nation"
do you think that divorce should be
made more difficult for persons with chill
dren than for those who are chldless?"
well that is not a vital issue just now,
as divorces are applied for in most cases
by the childless.
THE same class of people who do not be-
Heve in children are firm believers in and
frequent patrons of the divorce courts
AS matter of fact, if certificates Of
health and of knowledge of chi;d-training
were made compulsory, the number of mar
rlageS would decrease enormously"
The Rev. George p. Eckman, pastor of ST.
Paurs Methodist Church. said:
of course I am opposed to any such
IDEAS No Christian minister would have
any other thought but opposition, for the
pernicious influence cannot be estimated
The Rev. Julian K. Smyth, pastor of the
Swedenborgian Church Of the New Jerusa-
lem, said:
Mrs. Parsons book, if like the announce
ments in the morning papers, is perfectly
beastly. The dreadful influence is beyond
computation
The Rev. DR.. Oliver Hall. pastor of the
Universalist Church of the Divine Paterni-
ty, said:
Having seen only excerpts In the news
papers, 1t is difficult to discuss the entire
book. However, the doctrines preached are
perfectly idiotic and would tend to be dan
gerously promiscuous. OF course I must see
the whole book before can arrive at def
mite and final opinion"
Mrs. Parsons idea.
Mrs. Parsons, who is the wife of Con-
gresham Herbert Parsons and a daughter
of Henry Clews, the banker, propounds the
following:
into simply by agreement between the cou-
Piles. Definite period of trial or "proba-
tionary'' marriage. at the termination of
which the relation may be continued or
abandoned by agreement. provided there be
no children
Couples separated by such agreement not
law to have no jurisdiction in opposition to
individual DESIRE
Legal supervision during stated period
of couples slgnifying an intention of enter
ing upon marriage contract; this to insure
the physical and mental fitness of the par
ties to the match.
"A 'part-time' marriage relation, If mu-
tually satisfactory. to be maintained during
certain days of the week.
'Polygamy satisfies to certain extent
the desire for variety to which transiency
of relationship Is often due"
Mrs. Parsons and her father left this
morning for Washington.
Too Bad to Be True.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALBANY. N. Y, November 17.-Anent
Mrs. Herbert Parsons book the Right Rev.
William Crosswell Doane, Episcopal bish-
OPP of Albany. who for years has been
laboring for uniform divorce laws in all
Of the states. had this to say tonight:
This is the most revolutionary and in
decent performance of anything I have
ever heard. l cannot understand why a
woman in her position expresses such ideas.
1t is too bad to be true The only thing
to be said of the book, so far as have
read the excerpts, proves to me that 1t is
fundamental denial Of the religious, civil
and social position that marriage has al
ways occupied.
Society Women Indignant.
Newport and Boston society women and
workers for the lifting of the sex are horri-
fed at the ideas put forth in the book Just
published by Mrs. Elsie Glenn Parsons
daughter of the New York banker. Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe, the celebrated publicist
combats the idea. Rev. DR.. Thos. vanness
Rev DIR. George w. Bicknell, noted lecturer
and traveller. says that 1t would be q most
dangerous thing with the present fckleness
of Americans Rev. Herbert g. johnson,
the millionaire poster pastor" declares
trial marriages would be used by men and
women for purposes OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; Sam
uel ]. Elder, the noted lawyer and counsel
In many divorce cases, says the suggestion
Is disgusting.