The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-17
A DAS DACIu3IOHS.

five years of age shall pay tax Of
50 Per annum to the town or city in
which he lives. The fund so created
shall be expended for the support Of
srinsters who have passed or are be-
leved to have passed the nlarriageable
age
1 Such arc the provisions Of bill now
pending before the Massa chusotts Leg
islature. The author of the measure is
Mrs. Charlotte Smith, and she is in dead
| earnest about the proposed law.
Some days ago Mrs. Smith appeared
before the joint Committee on Taxation
OF the two branches of the General
Court and spoke for the measure
What to do with unmarried women,
she said, is serious problem. Bach
through the whole history of the coun-
try; we never would have had q civil
war il Buchanan had been q married
man instead OF q bachelor; bachelors
never have been of any use TO the com
lnunity. 1t is the bachelors fault that
,natrimony is on the decline. for stats
,ics show that 60 per cent. of the men
eligible 10 marry do not marry-that
/ is, permanently. In order for man
TO be popular at the club now it is
automobiles. n yacht, two or three ar
iinitics, but no marriage"
! Chairman Barnes asked her if the
Intent Of the bill is TO force bachelors
to marry or to provide for the support
OF spinsters Mrs Smith wittily re-
piled that she hoped the bill would
accomplish both purposes.
| Senator Wood thought that it ought
to be necessary and fair to exempt
! from the provisions OF the bill any
bachelor who can give evidence that
he has received five refusals, and Mrs
Smith was willing that this amendment
should be inserted in the bill.
Representative Newton patron of
! the BILL was called on, ana he said
that his sentiment was that he would
rather pay So than marry some Of the
women OF to-day.
| Representative Crane wished a. tax TO
( be imposed on women who refuse 10
marry.
Mrs. Frank w. Page declared that the
unmarried state is frequently the fault
Of the woman. because OF her extrava-
sancc. Mrs Smith replied that "thc
men arc also oXtravagant; they import
millions of dollars worth Of cigars
! each year; they have tailor-madc
clothes. they have their nails mani
cured, and indulge in other cxtrava-
/ sances."
! The bill has not Yet been acted upon
| There are many objections to it, and.
! IN our opinion, It should fail. In the
I first place, since this is a day of equal
rights for all sexes in all things. it
/ would be manifestly discriminatory for
/ man 10 be taxed for the support or
! support Of man. after having taxed man
\ Tor the support of wonlan--in which
event they would be oven. Again. the
t''power TO tax is the power to DESTROY. .
| ana the bachelors must not be Dr.
/ stroyed. Shall the Legislature at ono
4 icli sWoop, loSislate out Of existence
the great army OF kindly gentlemen.
who wear flowers in their coat larels
IN memory OF some dear. past ono ACT
as welcome saints TO little children.
make misty speeches through fogev
eyes at the farewell dinner Of the
! groom elect, and generally conduct
themselves as living lessons of forti.
tnde. resignation and contontment?
-----------------
, one Of the Denver papers tells an
interesting story about state senator
Delph Z. Carpenter, Of the Colorado
+ Legislature. This young man, VINO
! gut being COW .'punchcr'' and be.
II came q lawyer after hard effort, saws
'hat 'blood and determination" arc
+ 'ho things that count and then adds
i Ms mother was a Virginia Quaker,
: woman OF excellent education and -
/, hcr ! owe everything that / am To-
lay. for she encouraged my doterrn.-
3 nations when othcrs might have laugh
: ca az them as dreams"
i That Virginia blood viii tell.
:-----=-:--------..---
one legislative candidate IN Peters
burE has already come out against tho
: zee system. Next gentleman.
-----------------==-,..,- s
"e arc no, saying what Champ
d cIark has played.
i =- -= =-----s.------
N"w for tie Northern Neck. All