Show MARRIAGE The cynical writers of some of th the best selling books of the day are not only asking Is marriage a success but they are writing volumes to prove that It is not the sweetly romantic romantic ro ro- ro- ro mantic mantle thing we we had Imagined Wives no longer expect to love honor and obe obey when they want to do otherwise otherwise oth oth- they tell teU us also that as ns husband husband husband hus hus- band tamers they are complete fail Can ures The pokers of the stage and the lawyers of ot the divorce court seem to be In a hot race to see who can produce the most damming testimony testimony testimony mony against marriage as an Of Ot course It Is all very funny funny tunny fun tun- ny except In some cases where one Is la compelled to admit the sad truth that the critics are right These are things that cannot well be help help- ed But there Is something about marriage marriage mar mar- that Is wrong that may be helped help help- ed if It we properly appraise the fact tact that thirteen legislatures have been asked this year for tor laws designed to better the marriage relation The principal change sought in these states is that the law prohibiting the marriage of at men Infected with venereal disease be amended so BO as to include both sexes Oregon goes a step farther in demanding demanding de- de manding a law luw that would require sterilization for tor before marriage At a recent session of ofa a state x legislature a bill was introduced Introduced in introduced In- In to repeal the marriage fitness fitness fit fit- ness law laver which is still in force ana ano which demands from the man seekIng seeking seeking seek seek- ing marriage license but not from tram the wo woman an a medical certificate declaring de- de declaring declaring de de- claring his freedom from contagious or Infectious venereal disease The result was that even a stronger marriage marriage marriage mar mar- law requiring both a a. mental and physical examination b by some regularly licensed physician of both applicants for a 11 marriage license will be acted upon by popular vote at the next election The bill carrIes carries carries car car- ries also the clause should one or both of at such applicants fail fan to pass the the health and mental test they shall not be permitted permUted to marry unless both a are e rendered sterile How effective legislation so drastic drastic drastic dras dras- tic in character will prove to be may maybe maybe maybe be questioned but there is no doubt that it has the right view point the right of at the unborn to a a. fair start in life lite If It reformers can accomplish this they will wUl have done much toward toward to to- toward to- to ward making a success of at marriage although hou h they hey will not be able to toI straighten o out t all the kinks I o |