Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-20
Fort Dodge Mayor Offers ordi-
nance Compelling Bachelors
and Srinsters, To Marry
CEREMONIES FREE OF CHARGE
Mayor Bennett, Who Ha. Often Acted
in That Capacity During His Term
Of Office to Perform Many More
Such Ceremonies Before His Term
Expires, in Two Weeks.
Special to Times Republican.

Speclal TO Times
Fort Dodge, March 20.-Mayor Ben
nett stands shoulder to shoulder with
President Roosevelt in the advocacy OF
early marriages, and last evening at
the regular session of the city council,
he offered the following ordinance:
IAN ordinance requiring bachelors
and spinsters and all persons between
the ages Of % and 45 years, whose
mental and physical propensities are
normal, to marry: imposing fine for
Noncompliance hereto, etc.
section BE it ordained by the
city council of Fort Dodge, Iowa, that
all able bodied persons between the
ages Of 25 and 40 years. whose mental
and physical propensities and capabili-
ties are normal and who are not now
married, shall be required to obtain a
license and straightway be exalted to
state Of connubial bliss.
Section Amy person or persons
failing to comply with the provisions of
this ordinance shall be fined not less
than $40 nor more than 500, accord
ing to the period Of criminal negligence
of the person or persons unmarried.
Section 3.-This ordinance shall be-
in full force and effect from and after
its passage and publication as by law
provided
The reading of the proposed ordin-
ance was greeted with a laugh by the
councilmen, after which II. F. Busby
moved that the word publication be
stricken from the ordinance. Mayor
Bennett then passed the same to City
Clerk Beal with the remark, you have
all seen me pass it,"
Mayor Bennett has performed a
number of ceremonies while the chief
executive officer of the city, all of
which have resulted In very happy un-
ions. 1t is his hope to perform many
more before retiring from office the
first OF the coming month, and in an in
terview given this morning he said:
II believe it is the duty of every
young man in Fort Dodge to take a
wife as soon az he is able to do so, and
I believe those who are able to do so
and will not do it, should he made to do
so, and that is my reason for offering
the ordinance to the city council last
evening. I have but two weeks to serve
as mayor of the city, and all who are
anxious to escape the penalties provided
in the ordinance can find me at my Of
fee at any hour of the day, or I will
answer telephone calls from my home
at any time in the night. will per-
form all ceremonies free OF charge, and
/ have had considerable experience in
the past and can. use the latest AL
most up-to- date methods. was mucn
gratified last evening to see was sup
ported in the measure by Councilman
Busby for while will be able to per-
form the ceremonies for but two weeks
more, when my term as mayor ex-
pires, as justice of the peace he will
be able to take care of all Corners, and
will be willing to marry them at the
rate Of one couple every five minutes
day or night
Eve have too many spinsters and
bachelors in the city at the present
time, and If we are to boost Fort
Dodge and work for a bigger city, one
of the best ways know Of is to live
up to the proposed ordinance and get
married before they are compelled to.
do not think we will be compelled to
be severe in the matter, as there are
few Willful lawbreakers in the city at
the present time, but il any one is
brought before me on a complaint of
violating any of the provisions of that
ordinance I will assess the maximum
fine under Its provisions,