Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-04-15
DON'T YOU DARE MARRY THAT
 GIRI,i

JuQge fOSter OI tue CouIt OI general sessions, New York, seems to bo the last of the spotlight judges who look upon themselves as only little lower than the angels-if any.
 He entered an order tho other day under which Albert E. Johnson must go to jail if he marries.
 Johnson is said to have been several times arrested for larceny, and was out on suspension of sentence. He had done something that violated his parole, and when he was brought before the judge for it, girl who claimed to be his fancee interceded for him. And then Judge Foster said:
 1T have no intention of permitting & marriage that will breed more crim- inals. I will suspend sentence on the grand larceny charge, but if I hear of your marriage without first obtaining my consent, I will send you to jail for long term.''
 How does Judge Foster know that this young mans marriage would tend to breed criminals? Does he not know that there are very few of us whose ancestors have not been thieves--if any? Does he not knew that we are descended from savages among whom stealing was universal; and that if thieves had not been allowed to breed he would him. self never have seen the light? Does he not know that among the ancient Spar tans stealing was much esteemed art, and that among the Spartan virtues" that of the boy who let the stolen fox eat out his vit&is r&shcr than be caught, ranks highest?
 What does Judge Tester krow about the laws of heredity, anyhow?
 Can he point out any such thing as hereditary larceny?
 This young man was evidently consid- cred by Judge Foster safe man to be at large If he was to be trusted so far, what right has judge to make of him only half a man by refusing him wife, a home and family? Does not this judge know that tho man denied these things is more likely shaa any other to become a criminal or to relapse into wrongdoing? Does he not know that many man has done wrong in his youth and been saved by a good wife from repetition of the offensc? And how many men have seen the image of their children rise up before their eyes like angels to restrain from crime7
 And why does this judge think that the refusal to criminals of the right to marry will prevent the breeding Of crim- inals? A vast majority of our criminals are the offspring of law-ahiding citi- zens. Criminologists say that most criminals are normal people who have gone wrong through environment.
 And among the other things in our en- vironment that make men go wrong is the poverty that prevents thom from marrying.
 Tn any case, marriage is not entirely necessary to the evil Judge Foster, in his foolishness, seeks to minimize. In the Philippines, during the Spanish reg inc, the marriage regulations were such that the poorest people could not pay the exactness of the authorities and they did no. marry. But they reared large families just the same. Will it be any better if the precedent set by Judge Foster prevails, when To havs class of men in this country who dare not marry becauss some man on tho bench | will send them to the states prison if | they do? Ought not Judge Foster to make decree that will prevent his wards from falling in love, or from in 1 spring love in others7 For the real controlling factor in the situation prob ably is that this man and woman love each other. Does Judge Foster feel quite satisded when he thinks of the temptation he has thrown in their way | every day7
 And who made Foster inspector of marriages, anyhow?