The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-07
FROM OTHER PENS

MAKING VILLAGES MORE IJsEFTrr.
1Iassachusetts has inaugurated a move
iheht Tor the betterment of the small vii
laSeS Oh the state, that promises to pro-
duce results of a valuable nature II ia
not movement to increase the size Of
the village, but to improve it's attractive
ness. IL is pointed out by those behind
the movement that the small village has
an important mission with reference to
the community surrounding it, a mission
tnat mas not been appreciated in the mast
Inc first step in the Massa chusetts move
nent is to secure a consolidation of
churches, to esta bIish one large church
IN place OF several small ones, secure a
more useful minister, and then purchase
the other edifices and make them COM
munlty social centers and meeting places
me main purpose is to make the village
the community center and bring into'close
relation all the interests of the agricul-
tural section of which 1t is the center
Making the village a social center for
each community will take away much of
the isolation of the farm and outlying
district. By getting the villagers and the
farmers to join in this social center move
ment so that all would contribute to the
advantages thus provided, mutually of
effort would be developed which would
increase the interest each would feel and
enlarge the pleasures possible for each.
There is an important field for the small
well worth full OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Plain Dealer.
EUGENIC MARRIAGE LAWS.
Wisconsin has blazed the way. The
state has enacted certain eugenic laws
regulating marriage which will be watch
subject has been eXhaustively discussed,
but no decided action has been taken in
advantage of a strict marriage law, by an
Overwhelming majority in both branches
Of tie lesislature passed one Wllch VIII
become effective on August !. 1t is un-
doubtedly a radical move on the part OF
this important state, but 1t is a move
W h will certainly be followed by other
states in a very short time. The eugenic
problem has been closely. studied. 1t has
grown in Importance. The first interna-
tional convention of eugenicc was held in
London last April. Seventeen nations
acted by the Wisconsin Legislature are
drastic enough to satisfy the most ex-
IRENE advocate Oh the new cause. Botn
future of the race. No marriage can be
contracted in the state hereafter without
ined by a licensed physician and can pre-
sem certificate showing that they are in
ly qualified to marry. Common sense
shows the great advantage OF both of
rush into the responsibilities OF
such an estate without realizing what the
future VIII be; Men and women nan afflicted
suffer afterward. Weak-minded children.
lmbeciles and idiots are the result. in
many cases. of such unfortunate mar
riages. Children come into the world who
would be far better Off in the grave than
to have to struggle along helplessly and
hopelesSly afflicted. not through any fault
Of their own, but because of the folly of
their parents. The Wisconsin eugenic mar
rage bill provides that persons applying
for marriage licenses must show that they
are free from offensive disease. More
than one pure. healthy girl has int-usted
her future happiness and welfare to
nan who is physically unfit to become the
husband of any woman. AS result her
future is too often wrecked. Only I'M
happiness can follow such a marriage.
and the Wisconsin law guards against
his very thing.-Memphis Commercial
Appeal.