The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-06

WV -. there is a falling
Off Of 20 per cent
In the number of New Yorkers who
made the leap during 1908. This Ia
not only flying In the face Of Proyi.
dence, who, according to all reliable
records, has planned otherwise, but 1t
Is a direct metropolitan slap in the face
Tor Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt, who is at
one with his Creator on that point and
is not afraid to say 80.
1t Is an American habit to seek for a
cause of this decline IN one Of our most
promising industries. The statistician
referred to is Of the opinion that finan-
cial depression had much to do with 1t.
That Is exquisitely absurd. Financial
depression, on the contrary, is the very
tnlng which constrains the typical
hnickerbocker to embrace matrimony
In spite of its possible sequences. Some
other reason must be found for this in
creasing aloofness from matrimony.
Ordinarily one would not expect to
be made wise in this matter by ia
cobus Damn, who makes no denial
that in some way a little Knickerbock-
or blood has got into his system, but
the other evening at the tuberculosis
show l put it to him squarely. While
l am at 1t ! may as well confess that
did so In the hope of putting an end
to his soto voce remarks anent bac-
terra. l do not believe too firmly In
the existence Of these mysterious or
ganisms myself, but l do not avow my
disbelief in the very presence of their
scientific promoters.
"Tel me why 1t is that marriages
In this town are becoming fewer
among the smart SET" broke in.
When Jacobus had convinced him
self that he was not being victimized
he replied:
Because it's no longer considered
good form to marry. About the only
way man can be exclusive nowadays
is by remaining single"
That this decline in society matri-
mony Is attracting the attention of
those who have more than statistical
interest in the matter is made evident
by the vigorous effort of certain indi-
viduals to stimulate the industry. One
of the most notable attempts Of this
nature has been made by George G.
Boldt, presiding genius at the Waldorf
Astoria. What this astute boniface
has done is to provide bridal apart
ment consisting of four rooms en- suite,
with walls and ceilings of plate glass.
Now, If that doesn't clip the wings
of this nonmarrying bug I'll lie awake
and invent something that WILL" Mr..
Boldt declares to those who have been
permitted to inspect this novelty,
which Is on the second floor, adjoining
the royal apartments. The suit is 50
arranged that the walters who serve
the newly wed need not be seen by the
honeymooners as they enter and de-
part. So far it is not quite clear
whether this latter provision inures
most to the benefit of the servants or
to that Of the served. Matrimony is
novelty and an experiment, and Mr..
Boldts plate glass apartment does not
make 1t less so. 1t may do its part in
the revival of decaying industry, but
l hope that no one will be tempted to
commit matrimony just for the oppor-
tunity to occupy it. AS an extra in
ducement 1t is promised that the iden-
t1ty of those who are lodged in this
plate glass apartment shall never, new
er be revealed. l do not see how that
Is going to be managed, but modern
Ingenuity is equal to it, l suppose.