Arizona republican., 1913-01-08
ON MARRIAGE
 IF TIE UNFIT
Views by Business and Professional Men on the Attitude Taken By the Ministers and Physicians of Phoenix.

The discussion of the question of healthy marriages" which has been agitated for some weeks within the seclusion of the ministerial associa- ton and the Maricopa County Medical society, is arousing keen public inter- est. The stand taken by the minis iers and physicians is generally ap- proved by those who have given an expression on the subject.
 Several gentlemen have been seen since the publication of the resolutions of the society and the association. and the letter of Rev. William Scarlett. Below are some of the expressions:
 Said Judge Kert: "J-ndoubtedN much misery and suffering in this world have resulted from the mar riages of those who were unfit to as sumo the marriage relation. am thoroughly in accord with the move ment to secure legislation for the regulation of marriage as has been proposed, but | do not believe that there should be such legislation until a public sentiment has been aroused Therefore. l do not believe that the subject should be presented to the next legislature.
 II think the stand of Nrr. Scarlet and the other members of the minis tcrial association is good one and that it will arouse the public interest in this most vital matter and will ulti- matoly prepare the way for legislation on this subject
 The stand of MT Scarlett taken in his letter is a brave one. for he un- derstoOd the risk he was taking of of lending many persons by refusing to marry them without certificates from physicians as to their fitness In the the present unarOused state of public opinion in this matter the giving of offense by the course he has marked out for himself is unavoidable But his course will have the effect of arousing keen public interest. and there the movement must have it's real beginning"
 Tt is greatly to be desired" said Judge Kibby that unhealthy persons should not marry; that is, If they are afflicted with diseases that might be transmitted to their progeny. But how such marriages are to be prevented l cannot say. It is too early yet. in my opinion, to attempt legislation on this subject"
 "Of course, | am in fagor of the movement for the promotion Of healthy marriages and for the prevention of marriage among those who are physi- cally unfitled." said Dr. Arcil Martin q. Iution adopted by the county medical society. l believe that this view of the matter is taken by nearly all physicians.
 Just what good will immediately result from the movement 1 cannot say We do not expect any early leg islation There could be no effective legislation until the people nave been educated to the need of it Mean while, think that the agitation of the subject will do much good It will call the attention of parents to it and they will look more carefully into the health of prospective sons in-laW or daughters n-law. People themselves who are contemplating matrimony, l believe in the light of Information which will result from this agitation, will take a more serious view of the consequences of marriage"
 F. J. Bennitt had no hesitancy in commenting the movement, saying that he felt it was a sad commentary upon the laws of a country which per mitted the marriage of those affected with intercommunicabl disease. Par ticularlv necessary, he thought, is such a safeguard in section where tu- hercular persons come seeking health and who later, in an advanced stage of the disease, decide to marry. It may work no hardship upon the present generation, but it is almost certain to result in unhealthy offspring, who would be better dead than living.
 hope that the ministers and mar rying officials will work together along a line whereby all will be pledged to refuse to perform the mar riage ceremony where one or both parties desiring to enter matrimony is obviously unfitted to enter that state. It will be the means of ulti- mately eliminating much of the suf- fering and poverty we see on every hand today.
 We cannot Iegislate with reference to the morals of the individual, but strong minded, sincere men can aid III a movement which while 1t may ap- near radical to some. is bound to diminish the worlds suffering to a 1 great extent.
 "I am heartily in favor of the plan 1 to require certificate from competent persons before permitting the issuance l of marriage license. l think the 1 trend of the times is in that direction | Just as there is a movement toWaro 1 preventing the perpetuation of the l criminal instinct so there should bf T movement against the perpetuatior | or dieaase when it is known to eX- l ist."