The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1907-10-03
.fAYORS GRADED FEES
GEORGIA SENATOR'S SCHEME TO
INDUCE EARLY MARRIAGES.
Plan Provides for Free Wedding
License Under 21-over SO Cost
$50-Flood Of Praise and
Protest Brought On.

Atlanta, Ex-senator j. w. Taylor,
IS years of age, and a widower, has
brought upon himself a flood Of com
mingled protestations and commenda-
tons through his advocacy Of a grad
uated scale of marriage licenses.
Senator Taylor is a s%outherner of
the old school. He is the highest Ma
son in the state, is wealthy, has been
in politics for years, and is i'm
mensely popular with the ladies'. He
is a man of striking appearance, a
magnificent figure, and as vigorous as
a man of 40 years.
His prominence in the news col.
umns Of every leading paper in the
country was really the result Of a
humorous interview. The senate was
considering a bill making uniform the
marriage license fees of the state. 1t
was not Senator Taylor's bill, but the
legislative body was having a lot OF
fun out of it.
Following the senate debate, Sena'
tor Taylor gave an interview in which
he proposed a graded scale of mar.
riage license fees. If a man marries
at 81 or before, he is to pay no fee;
between 81 and rs, a fee Of $1.50; be-
tween % and 40, a fee of $3.50; from
40 to so a fee of $40; from SO to 60, a
fee of $50. When a man gets past 60
he is barred from marital joys.
II said that in fun" declared
Senator Taylor, "but 1 don't know but
that 1 will really advocate a law Of
that kind. Why shouldn't there be an
act to compel a man to. early enter
marital relations? I am inclined to be
a Roosevelt man in one particular
way. I am dead against ace suicide
There is a strong modern tendency
among young men to dodge the mar
ried relationship. It is an unfortunate
tendency, and I do not know but that
II would be performing posterity g
great service in Offering inducement.
to early marriages.
I'm my boyhood it was a badge o.
honor for a mar to marry as soon al
he reached his majority, and many
married before that time. Young mer
did not fear to face the responsibility
of a family as these anemic young
fellows do these days. Marriage ant
the %parentage of progeny is a sacred
duty of humanity, and any man wit
does his best to further that cause il
right.
But I want to propose an amend
ment to any such a BILL" said Senator
Taylor half whimsically. II want tt
exempt widowers from any provision.
of my law. Widowers are different
They have braved the plunge once
and if a man is daring enough to try
1T a second, third or fourth time, hi
ought to have a clear track. Why, TOOL
at this letter from a Philadelphia wild
over. He says he is bereft of a bette,
half through no desire or connivanct
of his own. He was left with a back
yard full Of small children, ant
thought he ought to have a goot
woman to look after them. 1 believ,
that any man who can persuade
woman to accept a large and lust.
ready-made family ought to have tn,
undisputed right, and have a licens,
handed him on a gold platter. If
could, would vote the woman a Car
negie medal.
MY highest object, however, is t,
force a few b%enighted bachelors in tn,
Georgia senate to bow to the MARTA
yoke. 1t is shocking to my mind how
openly and shamelessly some laun
their untrammeled freedom here il
the highest legislative body of tn,
Empire State of the south. l am rath
er inclined to the idea that l will in
troduce a kindred bill, making it
felony for a bachelor to offer for pub
lie office in this state"
Senator Taylor has been mentione,
as possible gubernatorial timber whe,
the term of Gov. Hoke Smith expires
DEER Fl EE FROM LIED no1