The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-16
Member of House of Delegates
Preparing Law to Reduce the
Cost of Loving.

Word came yesterday from a NOM
her Of the House OF Delegates that at
tho forthcoming session Of the General
Assembly he will introduce q bill to
put the marriage liccnsc on the free
list. Fine. isn't II, YOU say? Nobody
knows OF course. just how much oppo-
sition may develop. but as this pro-
posed measure will take something
away from the court clerks in the shape
viii have rough shedding. still, friend
member is going to try ii, II cannot
To- said that he is endeavorinE to put
through something that will save him
Il dollar 10y and by. for he has been
married quite n long while. AMI his
only son has a lucrative position. as
they say in speaking OF a good job. so
friend member is absolutely independ
ent. with no AK to grind.
Friend member has been deeply inn
pressed with the very praiseworthy
effort on the part OF ministers 10 put
safeguards around the marriage ccre-
mony for the welfare Of future genera
tons So powerful is that movement
to-day that laws will he enacted as
soon as satisfactory plan has been
agreed upon. The father OF the free
license idea has also been impressed
with the attitude OF ministers and
priests in different parts Of the coun-
Try who have announced that they will
make no charge for performing the
marriage ceremony. other ministers
are taking il M, and friend member
contends that when they are doing that
th" Commonwealth Of Virginia should
NJ least make il possible for "a young
manor an old man. for that matter
10 secure a marriage license without
being required To reach down in his
Jeans for one paltry simoleon
Among ministers ana others who
have that right, there Is no fixed charge
Tor officiating at u wedding. In high
/ brow circles il IS the proper cap.i for
the groom 10 hand 4 piece OF change
10 the best man. who IN turn, slips II
10 the preacher. The average good
citizen walks up like a soldier and pays
without asking the price Very often.
100. the best man splits with the
preacher that is, if the groom gives
him $50. he keeps half as AN evidence
Of good faith and gives the Other half
10 III" person officiating. statistics
show. however. that this form Of graft
INK is not practiced among our hes,
families.
The Commonwealth OF Virginia
charges every man 81 for marriage
fee system. goes to the court clerk.
IN the city OF Richmond last year .67l
marriage licenses were issued by the
Clerk IL The iiustinss Court. accord
ine.to the official record. sl.67l going
10 walter Christian as part OF his
fees. Put the f." system discussion
down on the matrimonial plane. and
the average man who runs may under
stand.
Il really believe wc ought 10 lif,
this tax on marriage licensees said
friend member. 1T is Il small thing.
10 hc sure. bnt 81 means a whole lot
To- poor young man At wedding time
and when there is no sound reason for
In" tarin II should lie lifted, not re
duc"d Just watch that bill when ii
is introduced next January. Put a de
t"cjiVe ON it's track, follow il through
ihc coIuulittc" room. watch 1t on the
floor. ana let the people have n recorded
vote Every man who hopes some day
to be married Viii bo IN favor Of the
law, every man who has been married
Ia louE tim" VIII want to see the gates
opened SO others viii come in. II ,hcr,
~ any JOY they want others To hav,
TT part II There ~ amy trouble thei
your married man wants the world Il
stack an against IT"