Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1881 — Marriage Contracts.. [ARTICLE]

Marriage Contracts..

Civil marriage is becoming more common in New York, not only among re-cently-arrived immigrants, who are accustomed to it in Europe, but among Americans. To step up to the Mayor’s office and settle the matter in a few minutes, costs nothing for white dresses, veils, gloves, flowers, presents or fees. There is no necessity for bridesmaids and groomsmen, or for a clergyman, and there is a reliable public record kept, which is not always secured by'marrying before a minister. In any case, it is the mutual consent of two persons legally entitled to wed which constitutes the marriage, and a ceremony is wisely instituted by’ law to provide evidence of that consent. The true course to be pursued in this most important matter is that common in European countries; to have the same law of marriage for the whole nation, and local civil officers competent to decide on the legal capacity of the parties to contract marriage, and to keep a public record of each marriage, duly attested. When this most necessary civil contract has been completed, the parties, having their certificate, can be married, without any further investigation, by priest, minister or rabbi, as they may see fit, and with all the ceremonies, festivities and expense they may desire.— New York Witness.