The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
Especial D!spatch.)

LONDON. July 26.
" LII the world and his wife are still
IA talking OF the record damages OF
s250.00o in the breach OF promise
case in which Lord Northampton paid up
without letting the case 20 10 trial The
questions which 1t has incidentally brought
10 the front have an interest for men and
women alike. for all who parents. for
all who are lovers--for all grades Of
human society. In fact.
They are not new questions by any
means. for they have brought tragedy into
innumerable lives at one time o. another
and will continue TO do so. However far
the State may proceed in taking over the
responsibilities Of parenthood-and the
euscnists would have it assume the right
of forbdding marriage al all in the ca Sc
OF the mentally or physically unft--there
Will always be fathers. Il not mothers
who believe themselves entitled to sanction
or veto the matrimonial arrangements Of
their sons and daughters II they think It
desirable 10 DO so. Equally will there al
ways be sons and daughters OF sufficient
Independence OF spirit to claim 20 do as
they wish in so entirely personal and .nd!-
vduh matter as marriage
The question tina; many arc asking :s:-
Who mako the best peercsses? And the
topic Of the Markham versus Northampton
case has set everybody discussing. with
widely differing opinions some going so
far as 10 say that actions for breach Of
promise of marriage should be abolished
altogether.
- ID
America rs IN England for his strong
views on the marriage and divorce ques-
ton, was very outspoken IN favor OF the
existing law.
Il think Il IS quite fair" he said III
n man makes an offer TO a girl and does
not keep Il he must pay. Poor people
manage these things much better than
the middle classes and the rich Thev
walk out together w!thou, actually being
engaged. and both parties have a chance
OF knowing each other Better class poo
pie on the other hand. only meet each
other at balls or parties or In the green
room o: the theatre, ana consequently
know little OF each other before engage
ment
In America, now. young fellow can
take cir! 10 a theatre. n concert or
picnic without being considered engaged"
A SIMPLE PROPOSITION.
Actions for breach OF promise OF mar
rage ought no moro TO be abolished than
actions for the breach OF any other con-
tract" said Mr.. Frekc Palmer. a well
known solicitor. III a man becomes en-
ga 90 IN til
cause ne has become attached TO another
he must pay. II IS simple proposition.
The girl has suffered damage because
her chances OF marriage have been los
sened through sticking 20 one man .or
several years. Then she suffers IN feel
ings. Tilted girl is jcered at by her
friends. and generally she is made % feel
small
1T is all very we'll to say shat II IS a
sordid thing 10 bring beautiful sentiment
down to commonplace monetary trans
action. But women must have some rec
ompense. and tho only rccompense IS
money. The only way :, punish men who
break contracts is through their pockets.
Defendants who have no money unfor-
innately cannot be punished at ALL"
The danger OF such actions" said Mr..
Fairfax. the chairman OF the Divorce
Law Reform Union. SIS that they .nay
lead to compulsory marriages and.
therefore TO matrimonial difficulties in
the future Evidence on this point was
given before the Divorce Commission
when Mr.. c. II. Pickstone. solicitor. Of
Radcliffe. said that breach OF promise
actions should be abolished Numerous
marriages take place under threat OF
an action and subsequent misery 20 both
NY ~ M