The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-27
A Gem Of NasuraI Desp otism.

A friend desires the publication OF
the following extract from a summary
of the Blue Laws of Connecticut pub
lished in the Boston Courier.
As Connecticut was settled in part
at least, by emigrants from Massachu-
sets, and was at an early day, genial
bed for Massachusetts,, civilization we do
not doubt that Bostonians have much
pride in the curious Connecticut code
meutionedIt most Significantly fore
shadows the searching, vindictive, pro-
scriptive and relentless despotism pro-
pagated by New England Roundheads
that bass eizedin its hard grasp the free
people of half q continent and fastened
on them an bondage.
The governor and magistrates, con-
vened in general assembly, are the
supreme power under God, OF this indie
pendent dominion.
From the determination Of the rs.
sembly no appeal shall be made.
WI says there is q power and
Jurisdiction above and over this domin-
ion, shall suffer death and loss Of prop
erty.
Whoever attempts to change or over
turn this dominios, shall suffer death.
The judges shall determine contro-
versies without q jury.
No one shall be freeman, or give
vote unless he be converted and mem
Der in full communion Of one OF the
churches allowed in this dominion.
Each freeman shall swear by the
blessed God to bear true allegiance 10
this dominion, and that Jesusis the only
king.
No quaker, or dissenter from the es-
tablished worship OF this dominion,
shall be allowed to give vote for the
electing of magistrate or any other
officer.
No food or lodgings shall be offered
to a quaker, Adamite, or hereto.
If any person turns quaker, he shall
be banished and not suffered to return,
but on pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion;
he shall be banished and suffer death on
his return.
Priests may be seized 10y any one
without warrant. 8.
No one to cross q river, but an au-
thorized ferrymam
No one shall run on the Sabbath day
or walk in his garden, or elsewhere
except reverently in and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep house, cut hair or
shave on the Sabbath day.
No woman shah kiss her children or
the Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on
Saturday.
A person accused of trespass in the
night shall he juged guilty, unless he
clear himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has
confederates, and he refuses to discover
them, he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell lands without
permission of the selectmen.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, or silver or bone lace above 2s.
per yard, shall be presented by the grand
jurore, and the selectmen shall tax the
offender 300 I. estate.
A debtor IN prison, swearing he has
no estate, shall be let out and sold to
make satisfaction.
Whoever sets q fire in the woods, and
it burns q house, shall suffer death
and persons suspected of this crime
shall be imprisoned without benefit of
Bail.
No one shall read common prayer
books, keep Christmas or set days, eat
minced pies, dance, play cards, or play
on any instrument Of music except the
drum, trumpet and jews harp
No gospel minister shall join people
in marriage. The magistrate only shall
join them in marriage, as they may do
with leasscandal to Christ's church.
Every male shall have his hair cut
round according to cap.