The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-06
Voice Of the People
EuEcnicni LAWS.

EuEcnicni Laws.
To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir.-Every one should be Interested
In subject which IS now receiving
marked attention In your columns,
namely. that OF the churches reouir
ing prospective bridegrooms to secure
limited health certificates as condi-
ton precedent to having the ceremony
performed by the ministers O: such
churches. The proposal seems 10 have
originated within the councils OF the
Episcopal church. but is receiving con-
s!dera,ion at the hands OF the other
denominations. The move Is a good
one as FAR as II goes, but to the aver
age mind II falls far short OF the
needs OF the situation. both In It's scope
and as to the method OF enforcement.
The scope OF the proposal is TOO
narrow in that 1t requires a certin-
cate from the groom only, and from
him merely as TO certain diseases OF an
Immoral nature. There is no sound
reason why the requirement. should
stop at such diseases. but many strong
reasons why II should include all dis
eases of transmittable and com
municable nature. and II thus en-
larged the requirement. should apply
10 woman as we'll as 10 man
The method by which it is proposed
TO enforce this requirement is totally
inadequate. In the first place. IL Is
necessarily lim!Jd in its application
10 those contra citing parties who de-
sire or see fit TO be united under the
ceremony OF any church 1t must be
remembered that there are many au-
;hor!t!es invested by law with the
power 10 perform the necessary cere-
mony. and rather than be subjected
10 the proposed examination. there are
many good people who would seek the
ceremony OF the civil authorities In
the second place. unless all OF the
churches adopted the rule, which Is
hardly possible. those which did would
find their members uniting IN marriage
under the ceremonies OF those which
did not. In tho third place. the en-
forcement OF the rule by the churches
would De attended with much embar-
rassment. both on the part OF the min
listers and on the par; OF the contract
ing parties. 1t Is thus readily seen
that If made only n church rule, not
having the sanction or the mandate OF
the law behind It, and hence carrying
no penalty for It's violation. uniform
enforcement will be impossible.
Instead Of making the matter one OF
church rule. why not amend our pres
ent marriage law so as TO place this
requirement on the same footing with
other requirements now exacted OF
parties before they can obtain n Ii
cense to marry under any ceremony.
In this way all embarrassment. either
TO the ministers or the parties is elm
mated. and universal enforcement Is
at once secured. Such an amendment
might provide that, before issuing n IL
ccnse TO marry the clerk of the court
shall require each OF the contracting
parties to furnish a certificate duly
signed and sworn 10 by a reputable
physician mot necessarily the brides
or the groom's physician. but any
reputable physic!an). showing that
each OF the said parties are free from
certain diseases. naming such diseases
as are conceded to be transmittable
and communicable.
In view of the fact that such a law
would be little drastic in the light
OF the present age, in order TO let mat
tiers adjust themselves, 1t might be
VOL for few years to add to such
. law the following proviso: provided,
that Notwithstanding the fact that the
certificate so fled with the clerk shall
show that one or both of the proposed
contracting parties has one or more
or the prohibited diseases, upon the
ming with the clerk a statement in
writing signed by both parties to the
effect that they have each read the
certificates filed and understand the
nature and contents thereof. but not
Witnstand!nS that fact are DESTROYS OF
uniting in marriage with each other
the clerk OF the court shall issue said
license s though said certificates had
SHOWN the party or parties free from
| the prohibited diseases.
I'll,