Evening journal., 1913-01-25
poMERs uPHoIns HANTzMON.

xAr e congratulate the Rev. william H. Hanzmon of
wv tho First Methodist Protestant Church in this
city upon tho victory he has over those who at
tempted by summary process to drive him from his
pulpit ard pastoral charge Our congratulations ex-
tend also the Rev John s. Bowers president of the
Maryland Conference Of the NJ p Church who frowned
upon the attempt to and discredit Mr. Hantzmon
While It may be true that the young and enthusiastic
pastor went too far in his published attack upon his
predecessor, the Rev George L. Wolfe because OF the
reputation he has built up a marrying parson,"
It also 10 true that certain members OF the congrega-
ton went too far when, because they are friends OF
Mr. Wolfe they attempted TO drive Mr. Hantzmon from
his pulpit and blight his ministerial career. MT
Hanzmon quite properly declined To resign 70 be
oueed and President Bowers quite properly supported
him in his determination not to do go He recognized
that there is orderly way for the congregation to
approach the question and that the church and civil
tribunals open Mr. Wolfe If he feels aggrieved.
Without making any attempt justify what MI,
Hantzmon said about Mr. Wolfe, feel warranted in
saying that there are abuses here under present
marriage laws and that If Mr.. Hantzmon do any
thing to put end to them and the scandal that fol-
lows in their train he will perform a signal pub
lie service While his present congregation may not
whole, support him in that course, he viii win
the approval Of the public which is heartily tired Of
having city and State figure scandal after
da growing out Of secret marriages
We suggest that Mr. Hantzmon take his text for
his sermon tomorrow this paragraph from the inaug
ural address OF Governor Charles r. Miller to the
Delaware Legislature on last Tuesday:
Our present marriage laws ought to receive the inn
mediate attention Of the Legislature. and the undesir-
able features should be promptly eliminated The laws
enacted at former session OF the General Assembly
designed restrain youthful impetuosity check
hasy marriages and prevent elopements our State
from other sections Of the country but these laws
have utterly failed In their purpose The present
riage laws should be amended forthwith, re-
quire residence within the State say, for six co
days by one of the parties to the marriage dec
aration setting forth the fact OF the residence,
required should be filed the time the application
for the marriage license aud the facts set forth in
said declaration should be supported by the sworn
affidavit OF responsible citizen, resident of the State
OF legal age The passage Of Act containing proyi-
sions above set FORTH should have the effect Of
preventing entirely at least largely reducing the
great number OF ill-timcd and hasy marriages which
take place daily within the State. The existence Of
laws which permit such conditions reflect discredt
upon our institutions and upon people
There is food for thought in that for him and those
members OF his congregation who were so quick to
resent his attack Jpn Mr.. Wolfe. Governor Miller has
supplied him with material for a dozen sermons and
he 1t effectively without making personal
attack anyone, unless It in sef-defense and
he is fortified with sufficient proof subsantiate his
charges On the main proposition that something
should be done to break up the matrimonial abuses
here he will have the comfort Of knowing that he has
the support Of governor and the people and
he may anticipate confidently that remedial legisla-
ton will show that he also has the sympathy of the
Legislature.