The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-09-14
The " Blue Laws "

Many of our readers who have often
heard of the Connecticut "Blue Laws
have probably never had the opportu.
nifty of perusing that famous code. The
statutes copied below, from an ancient
volume relating to the history of the
American Colonies, were enacted by the
people of the Dominion of New Ha
ven." They were originally printed on
blue paper, on which account they were
called the "Blue Laws"
The Governor and magistrates, con-
vened in General Assembly, are the su
preme power under God, of the indie
pendent dominion.
From the determination of the Assem-.
bly, no appeal shall be made.
The Governor is amenabls to the voice
OF tie people.
The Governor shall have single vote
in determining any question, and cast
ing vote when the Assembly shall be
equally divided.
The Assembly Of the people shall not
be dismissed by the Governor, but shall
dismiss itself.
The judges shall determine controver.
sizes without a jury.
No Quaker OF Eissenter from the ss-
tablished worship of this dominion shall
be allowed to give vote for the election
of magistrate or any other officer.
No food or lodging shall be offered to
Quaker or hereto.
any p, rson turn traitor, he shall be
bauished, and not suffered to return, on
pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion;
he shall be banished, and suffer death
on his return.
Priests may be siezed by anyone, with
out a warrant.
No one shall cross river but with all
authorized ferryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day,
or walk in his garden, or elsewhere,
except reverently and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuais,
make beds, sweep house, cut hair, or
shave on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children on
the Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on
Saturday.
TO pick an ear of corn growing in a
neighbor's garden shall be considered
theft.
A person accused of trespass in the
night must be judged guilty unless he
clear himself by his oath.
When it appears that all accused has
confederates, and he refuses to discover
them, he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell lands without
permission of the selectmen.
A dru hkard shall have a master ap-
pointed by the selectmen, who are to
debar him from the liberty of buying or
selling.
Whoever shall publish lie TO the
prejudice of hi. neighbor, shall be Sc set
ia the stocks, or be whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep school.
Every ratable person who refuses to
pay his proportion to support the minis
ter of the town or parish, shall be fined
by the court q. and AZ every quarter,
until he or she pays the rate to the min
lister.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver or bone lace above Is. por
ward, shall be presented by the grand
jurors, and the sslectmen shall tax the
offender 800, |. estate.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has
no estate, shall be let out and sold to
make satisfaction.
Whoever sets fire in the woods, and it
burns a house, shall suffer death, and
persons suspected OF this crime shall be
imprisoned without benefit of bail.
Whoever brings cards OF dice into the
dominion shall pay fine of ) pounds.
No one shall read come on prayer
books, keep Christmas or set day, eat
minced pies, dance, play cards, or play
on any instrument of music except the
drum, trumpet and jewsharp.
When parents refuse their children
convenient marriages, the magistrates
shall settle the point.
The selectmen, on finding children
ignorant, may take them away from
their parents aud put them in better
hands, at the expense of their parents.
Adultery shall be punished with
death.
A man who strikes his wife shall pay
a fine of ten pounds.
A woman who strikes her husband
shall be punished as the court directs.
A wife shall bs daemed good evidence
against her husband.
No man shalt court maid in person
or by letter without first obtainn consent
of her parents; 81. penalty for the first
otisnse; 10l. for the second aud for the
third, imprisonment during the pleasure
Of the court.
Married persons must live together or
be imprisoned.
Every male shall have his hair cut
round according to a cap.