The Washington herald., 1907-12-31
SUICIDE
Nearly 200 Couples Rush to
Wed in New York.
NAME FIRST BOY THEODORE
This Promise Is Made by 266 Bash
full Brides and Bridegrooms-eIect,
and the President Il Promptly In
formed-Sew License Law VIII Net
City 100000 I'm n Year.

New York. Dec 50-City Clerk Scully
and his force Of clerks were all but
swamped to-day with applicants for mar
riage licenses. Hitherto any couple that
wished 10 get married could do il without
the official sanction OF the city. but that
is now a thing Of the past Beginning
Wednesday, New Years Day, licenses
will be required.
Last year between 1000 and 5000 mar
riages took place in Manhattan alone.
The fee prescribed by law for the new
marriage license is 81. but the city clerk.
having takep advice from the corpora
ton counsel OF the city. has been informed
that 81 is good only for a license TO be
married either by civil OF religious pro-
cess.
In case any couple desires to have both
ceremonies performed. they must give up
an extra 81 for the privilege. No person
can be married twice for one license.
When the marriages that may be looked
for to take place in all the other bor-
Oughs are taken into account. it seems
probable that the clty's income from this
source during 1903 will amount to some
thing Ike 100000.
Message TO Roosevelt.
Nearly 200 couples obtained licenses at
the city hall to-day. In the middle OF the
day the rush was so great that Clerk
Scully had 10 send for policeman 70
keep the applicants lined up. SO great
was the rush before Re hour OF noon
that the City Hall Reporters Association
thought it proper 20 expend Sl.5a for send
ing the following telegram 10 President
Roosevelt:
Law requiring license to marry in this
State goes into effect January / One
hundred and thirty-five couples bought
licenses in City Hall before y O'Clock to-
day. One hundred and thirty-three couples
promised reporters that they would name
their first boy Theodore Roosevelt. The
thirty odd newspaper men at the City
Hall beg to advise you that there Is no
prospect Of immediate race suicide in
your native city"
Up 10 a late hour no answer had been
received from the White House. Many
Of to-day's applicants for licenses plan TO
start the New Year by getting married on
that day. Several couples who came in
wanted to get spliced right away
Marco OskitZ, formerly OF Poland, ap-
peared az the window with a pretty little
woman. whom ne said he wished 10 be
licensed 20 wed. The clerk asked
MIN what date had been fixed for
the ceremony Mr. OslCtz appeared 10 be
highly indignant al the question, but upon
being informed that II was necessary for
the clerk 10 know, he said stifHy that he
didn't intend TO get married until some
time next August.
Was Not I'm n Hurry.
"oh. we'll" said the clerk. you don't
have to get your license yet a while
Come around later on"
The Indignation Of Mr., oskitz foamed
up anew
Il tell you what" he exclaimed; now.
I don't get married at all. ever; not until
have been here five years and get my
papers of a citizen
And glaring malevoientiy at the abash-
ed clerk, Mr.. Oskitz tucked his prospect
i've bride under his arm and marched
from the Office with much dignity
Over in the Brooklyn Borough Hall the
rush was so great that the clerks took 10
giving blank affidavits 10 applicants to
take away and Ill out. the license TO be
issued later on presentation OF the afida-
Wits. This didn't please a little Irishmsn
who applied for q license.
Il lost one day already from my Job. -
he growled. as he got his instructions
I can't afford 10 lose another ore by all
this foolishness."