Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-02-22

II is interesting to look back upon New Eng
land history, some two centuries, and observe the
rigid supervision which was exercised bv the Fla.
theirs of the colonies, over the employmen,s bab
its and morals of the people. Many of their lie.
gal enactments would unquestionaby be unius,
and tyrancal, imposed upon a community sur.
rounded by more suspicious circumstances and
possessing better knowledge ofthe science of gov.
eminent, and doubtless these were in earlier DAVIS
Of the settlement some admirers of the largest lib
erty of human action, who were ANYTHING but
strenuous advocates of strict construction of
such straight jacket body Notifying regulations.
And the motives which influenced the law makers
of that day and generation, are above reproach /;
their legal restraints, were designed TO meet the
common want and were productive of general or.
der and virtue. Some specimens of the civil dis.
ciplne of the colony of Plymouth, (united to Mas.
sachuseus in 1917 are subioined
In 1926, the expectation of corn, beans and
peas, were prohibited and the employment of me.
chanics regulated.
In 1885, 1t was enacted that none should be-
come house.keepers, or build cottages without the
consent OF the Governor and Assistants The
same authority was aferwnrd granted to selec
men of towns. E.
In 1858, loborers' wages were fixed at twelve
pence per day with board, and eighteen pence
per day without it,
1869, the constables were ordered to look after
all persons who slept in church, and report their
names to the General Court The progress Of
popular freedom in this respect, is astonishing.
Chewers and smokers had to pay heavy duty
on their favorite indulgence, unless they Struggled
their tobacco into their port of entry. In
1859, It was enacted that if any one was found or
seen taking tobacco in the streets, or in any build
ing, or field, within mile of dwelling house, he
should be fined twelve pence, and in default of pc
cunlary means for satisfying justice he was to be
put in the stocks or whipped In. l64l, importa
ton Of tobacco for home consump,o was pro-
hibited. In 1860, it was provided that every Ju
ror who used tobacco should be fined five shillngs
What was the supposed anagonistcal influence
of the use Of this weed upon the faithful
exercise of their judgment, is left only tc
curious conjecture. In 1869 It was enacted thai
every person found smoking in the street.
on the Lords day, going to or returning from
meeting, within two miles of the meeting house
should be fined twelve pence.
In one respect it must be admitted that the earl,
settlers of New England suffer by a comparison
with their more patriotic descendants; we mear
in their reluctance to hold public office. In 1863:
law passed, that if any one was elected to the of
flee of Governor, and refused to serve, he should
be fined ego and provision was inserted, tina
no person should be required TO serve two wears ir
, succession How it would have cheered the heart
OF those who were witnesses of such occasional re
luctance TO serve the public, could they have look
ed forward a couple of centuries, and seen higI
appointing power receiving thousands of applica
tons.