The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-07-04
THE IDLER.

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7 notice that in some Of the coun-
ties there was rush On Saturday to
secure The first marriage license. That
in Lexington county Congressman Le-
yer was the first one. He is to wed
Miss Butler. In Anderson county the
first was Mr.. J. r. Hollis, of the Orr
Vile mill, who is to wed Miss Bruce.
In this case a live jewelry firm gave
the happy couple gold wedding ring.
I do not know who is the first in New
berry but I feel sure Judge Schum-
pert will give a handsome wedding
present to the first couple and no
doubt Jno. Mayes and Ellis William
son will vie with each other in the
presentation of some valuable memen-
to of the occasion. This is the first
time in the history OF South Carolina
that there has been any attempt to
legislate on the marriage question.
Some people thought the marriage Ii
cense law would be a step in the di-
rection of a divorce law and the pas
sage of the license law was stubbornly
fought. It seems to me that there is
no good reason to conclude that such
would be the result. I should think
there are many advantages in IL
cense law. South Carolina is unique
among the States in that she has
never recognized any divorce law and
I hope she will remain so. It is easy
to get married but once married South
Carolina says the Bible is true-that
the union should remain until death
separates. And I'll tell you if the
human laws would pattern more near
ly after the divine they would be bet
ter.
Speaking of this reminds me to re-
mark again that we have too many
laws. They result in constant VIOLA
tions and the violation of one law
leads 80 easily to the violation of 9TH
er laws, and the people soon come to
lose respect for all constituted author
ity and when that happens there is
chaos and anarchy. The best govern
ed people are the least governed.
Take the big book OF ordinances for
the little town of Newberry. I'll bet
you my last summers panama that
there isn't any officer of the town from
the mayor on up to the health officer
who knows one-half of the ordinances
and they are not to blame, because
it is worth more than their salaries to
learn all these laws. Now, I submit,
would it not be better for the good
order of the community to have fewer
laws and have them enforced. For in
stance, would it not be better to re-
peal the ordinance against dogs rum
ming on the street without a muzzle
than have all these dogs-bull dogs,
fee, collies, hounds, settlers, ours, and
every other variety and species-run-
ming at large these hot days without
fear of being disturbed or molested
by the dog catcher. For just as sure
as you live these dogs will come to
have a disrespect and contempt for
the ordinances of the town. am
afraid they feel that way now, judg-
ing by the proud air with which they
roam the streets and make pedestrians
step aside for them. Just what any
body wants with bull dog I have
been unable to figure out, and I have
figured On it hard and long. But I
reckon if I had one I would love him
too. Once upon a time in the long,
long ago I had a bench leg flee, we
called him Penny, and T was very fond
of him and mourned his daath and
gave him a decent burial. He was
worthless, except to eat the scraps ard