WHERE MARRIAGE LAWS DIFFER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 November 1901, Page 4

WHERE MARRIAGE LAWS DIFFER.

Tua marriage laws of some nations are not by any means so clearly sot forth as our own ; but in none are there so many queer differences as exist in the United Statis,

You see, different laws prevail in different States, and that is what causes all the confusion. For instance, in Virginia a man cannot legally marry his deceased wife’s sister. The law is an inheritance of the common laws of England, and has never boon repealed. In many States a man and woman of different races, meaning whites and negroes, are not allowed to marry. In some cases the law is so rigid that oven if such a pair be married in a State where such a union is legal, they may bo punished for misdemeanour on their return to .their native State. And in those States the law is very seldom broken.

Whites and Indians are forbidden to marry in some States, as are also whites and Chinese in some of the Pacific coast States. Yet many white man and women have married Indians.

New Jersey law states specifically that the deaf and dumb are not imbicles under the law, and therefore may marry. The lejjal age of marriage differs in the various States. In the majority the marriage of males under fourteen years or of females under twelve years is voidable. In Ohio the age is fixed at eighteen for males and sixteen for females ; in California eighteen and fifteen, in lowa eighteen and fourteen, in North Carolina sixteen and fourteen,

There is a difference of opinion as to who should perform the marriage service. Mayors of cities, and Justices of the Peace are so empowered, and, of course, ordained ministers of the Gospel. In New York and some other States practically no ceremony is required, A man who gave a woman a ring ro cently with the words, “This is your wedding ring: we are married,’’ was afterwards legally married by a Court. By the most recent law, however, such statement mnst bo made before witnesses and a certificate filed. These instances of difference in marriage laws in the United States are only a few of many, and one is tempted to ask; When will marriage laws be made which will apply to the whole of the States?