The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-04-07
MARRIAGE LAWS
MORE STRINGENT
BRIDES AND GRooMs MUST SHOW
THEMSELVES TO AUDITOR TO
BE FIT FOR WEDLOCK BE-
FORE LICENSE Is ISSUED.

grooms in the state of Washington
must hereafter show themselves to
be physically and morally entitled
to wed. They must present affidavits
from licensed physicians showing
that they are physically free from
disease and they must also convince
the auditor that they are not Grim
inals. This latter they can do by
their own afidavits.
Under the new law passed by the
last legislature, and which goes into
effect early in June. it will be really
necessity for every bride to pre-
sent herself at the Office of the coun-
ty auditor. 1t will be possible to.
procure a license otherwise, but it
will be easier. to face the auditor
than face others less agreeable In
procuring the affidavits. The text of
the law is as follows:
Those Who Can't Marry.
| No woman under the age of As
years or man of any age, except he
marry woman over the age of As
years, either of whom Is a common
drunkard, habitua1 criminal, epilep-
tic, imbecile, feeble-minded person,
idiot or insane person or person who
has heretofore been afflicted with
hereditary insanity, or is afflicted
with pulmonary tuberculosis in it's
advanced stages, or any contagious
veneral disease, shall herafter inter-
m ~ m
within this state.
No clergyman or other person au-
| thorized by law to solemnize mar
riages within this state shall here
after perform a marriage cermony
uniting such persons in matrimony,
unless the female party to such mar
riage is over the age of As years.
The county auditor, before a mar
riage license is issued, shall require
each applicant therefor to file in his
Office. upon blanks to be provided by
the county for that purpose, an af-
physician other than the persons
seeking the license, showing that the
contracting parties are not within
the inhibition above named; prOvid-
ed that, in addition. the affidavit as
to the male contracting party shall
show that such male is not afflicted
with any contagious veneral disease.
Affidavits Required.
The county auditor shall also re-
quire the affidavit of some disinter-
ested credible person showing that
said persons are not habitual GRIM
inals; the female is over the age. of,
IS years and the male is over the
age of 21,1years, unless the consent
in writing is obtained of the father,
mother or other guardian of the
person for whom the license is re-
quired in case where the female is
undr the age of IS years and the
male under the age of 21 years;
Fprovided, that no consent shall be
given nor license issued, unless such
| female is over the age of Is years,
Said affidavit may be subscribed and
sworn to before any person author-
ized to administer baths.
Any one knowingly swearing false
Ily to the statements contained in
the affidavits mentioned in this act
shall be deemed guilty of perjury,
and punished as provided by the
laws of the state of Washington.
Any person violating any of the
provisions of this act shall, upon
conviction thereof. be punished by
fine of not more than $1,000 or by
Imprisonment in the state peniten-
tiary for a period of not more than
three years, or by both such fine
and Imprisonment.