Scott County Kicker

A PRICE ON MARRIAGE.
By Verne E. Sheridan.

I have just finished reading about the Pittsburg clergyman who, in the future, will refuse to marry any couple unless they have an income of $2,000 a year.

What a great head this man must have?

Now then, you honest fellows, who are earning from ten dollars a week up, and who are thinking about making some nice girl your partner for life, to help her and let her help you in this struggle for existence, get the idea out of your head at once. How dare you? Who are you, that you dare think about an honorable marriage relation with some good girl?

You must learn to restrain yourself; to deny yourself a desire which was put into your system by the same God this man preaches about, forego the great joy of holding your own flesh and blood, and become an unrestricted, lecherous libertine. You must become a supporter of the very houses it is part of aforesaid minister's duty to abolish and destroy.

Now if this preacher or the word of God would have made the announcement that in the future he would refuse contributions from those of his flock that did not have an annual income of $2,000 then he would have said something really worth while. But, in your wildest flights of imagination, can you fancy him say nor that?

Or, if he had outlined a plan whereby he would make it possible for couples to marry without money to assure successive this income, then we would sing his praises from the east to the west coast. As it is we can feel nothing but pity or contempt for this misguided human.

Speaking personally, I admire his colossal nerve; it takes a being with a large gall and little gray matter to get up and make these "get me some money quick" announcements.

I am wondering, seriously wondering, if Christ were here with us today, would He say such a thing? Would he? I think not!

Then how dare any one of His followers who, no matter how good or great they may be, are still inspired compared to Him, lay down the law as to who should or should not get married?

How dare they set a price on the marriage tie? Does this man know how really few there are amongst all the mechanics and laborers who earn this $2,000 a year? And if these same men strike for this sum in their different branches of industry, I'll bet a sou that this minister will be one of the first to hold up his hands in holy horror and tell them not to strike—'Peace, Brother. Peace!'

Were it not better if he devoted a little more time and energy in trying to bring about marriages between young men with a salary of even one-half of the sum which he, in his insanity, stipulates, and girls who would make both wives and mothers that they are shop girls.'

Instead of refusing to marry these on which he has put this ban, were it not better if he would ascertain why this or that couple are not enjoying that income and, having found the reason, help to destroy it? And make it possible for them to have and to hold this annual sum?