Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 166, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1911 — TRAINING IS NEEDED [ARTICLE]

TRAINING IS NEEDED

Professor Suggests College of Domestic Relations. In Its Administrative Division Our Matrimonial Laws Require Drastic Revision at Almost Every Point. Lincoln, Neb. —“A college of domestic relations" —a step in advance of Chicago’s court of domestic relations —is strongly urged by George E. Howard, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska. “The sociologist, the economist, the household scientist, and other specialists should join forces in such an institution to give sound training in the problems of sex, parentage and the household. “No more harmful blunder was ever committed by theological subtlety than the setting aside of marriage as par excellence, the divine institution.” Trained officers to perform the marriages in districts and revision of the matrimonial laws of the country were suggested by Professor Howard. Improvement of the present marriage customs in the United States Professor Howard proposes as follows: Endowment of motherhood by the state. Abolishment of the common law marriage. Twenty days’ public notice before the issuing of license. Limiting marriage to those who are of age. Of the endowment of motherhood. Professor Howard says: “Recognizing parentage as a social service, a social duty which should be paid for at the public expense, looks very much like social justice. “In its administrative division our matrimonial laws require ’drastic revision at almost every point. We need a better and a uniform license system, so as to secure full publicity and a faithful compliance with the spirit of the law. “It is time that in school and college the family and its related institution should be as freely, and openly, and unsparingly subjected to scientific investigation as are the problems of modern political and industrial life. “The time honored American plan of optional civil or religious ceremony, at the pleasure of the persons contracting, is crude, illogical and unsafe

"There is the clergyman, and here is the justice of the peace. Take your choice.’ That is the system in a nutshell.

“No standard of legal, mental or moral fitness is established. Often this important function of social control is exercised with incredible ignorance and levity. The frivolous or mercenary magistrate and the fleet parson flourish on American soil. The story of our marriage resorts or Gretna Greens shows that we have small reason to boast."