The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-01-18


Many Of our readers, who have heard Of
the Connecticut "blue laws" have prob
ably never had an opportunity Of peruslng
that celebrated code The territory now
comprised in that state Of Connecticut was
formerly two colonies, Connecticut and
New Haven. The colony Of Connecticut
was planted by emigrants from Massachu-
setts and Windsor in 1853, and Hartford
and Weatherstield, in 1882 So The other
colony, styled by its founders the domin-
ion, of New Haven, was founded by enli-
grants from England in 1888 The two
colonies were united i'll 1868 The statutes
copied below, from an ancient volume re-
lating to the history oi the American colo
nies, we're enacted by the people Of the
Dominion Of New Haven, and being
printed on blue paper came to be known as
the "blue laws"
The governor and magistrates, convened
in general assembly. are she supreme pow
er, under God. uf tins independent domln-
ION.
From the determination Of the assembly
no appeal shall be made.
The governor Is amenable to the voice Of
the people.
The assembly Of the people shall not be
dismissed by the governor, but It shall dis
miss itself.
Conspiracy against this dominion shall
be punished with death.
Whoever says there Is power and luris-
diction above and over this dominion shall
suffer death and loss Of property.
Whoever attempts to change OF overturn
the dominion shall suffer death
The Judges shall determine no contro-
versies without jury.
No one shall be freeman, or give a
vote, unless he be converted and a member
Of one Of the churches allowed In the do
minion.
Each freeman shall swear by the blessed
God to bear true allegiance to this domln-
ion, and that Jesus is the only king.
No Quaker, nor dissenter from the es-
tabished worship OF this dominion, shall
be allowed to give a vote for the electing
IF magistrates, or any other officer
No food or lodging shall Ne offered to
Quaker, AdamIte or hereto.
If any person turn Quaker he shall be
banisheG and not suffered to return but on
pain Of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion /;
lie shall be banished, and suffer death on
his return,
Priests may be seized by any one with
out a warrant
No one to cross the river but an author
ized ferryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day, OF
walk in his garden, OF elsewhere, except
reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victllals, make
beds sweep house, cut hair, or shave on
the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children on
Sabbath or fast day.
To pick an ear Of corn growing on a
neighbor's shall be deemed theft.
Any person accused Of trespass in the
night shall be judged guilty, unless he
clears himself BY oath.
When 1t appears that the accused has
confederates, and he refuses to discover
them, lie may bt racked.
None shall buy or sell land without
permission Of the selcctmen.
drunkard shall have master appoint
ed by the selectmen, who are to bar him
from the liberty Of buying OF selling
Whoever publishes lie to the prejudice
Of his neighDor, shall be set in the stocks,
or whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep a school.
Every ratable person who refuses to pay
his proportion to support the minister OF
the town OF parish, shall be fined old, and
Ais. every quarter until he or sh pays the
rate of the minister.
Men stealcrs shall suffer death
Whosoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver or bone lace, above Is. per
yard, shall be presented to the grand jur-
o-s, and the selectmen shall tax the offend
er $500 estate.
A debtor in prison swearing he has no
estate, shall be let out, and sold to make
satisfaction.
Whosoever sets fire in the woods, and
burns house shall suffer death and per
sons suspected Of this crime shall be i'm
prlsOned without benefit Of bail.
Whosoever brings cards or dies in this
dominion shall pay fine of E0.
No one shall read common prayer books,
keep Christmas or set days, eat Dlince pies,
dance, play cards, or play any instrument
of music, except the drum, trumpet and
Jews harp.
No gospel minister shall Join people in
marriage. The magistrate only shall join
people in marriage, as he may do it with
/ less scandal to Christ's church.
When parents refuse their children con
venient marriages, the magistrates shall
determine the point.
The selectmen on finding children ignor-
ant may take them away from their pa
rents, and put them in better hands, at the
expense Of the parents.
Fornication shall be punished by com
pelling marriage, or as the court shall think
proper.
Adultery shall be punished with death
A man who strikes his wife shall pay a
/ fine of E1O.
A woman who shall strike her husband
shall be punished as the law directs.
| A wife shall be deemed good evidence
against her husband.
I No man shall court maid in person or
\ by letter. without first obtaining the con
sent of her parents 60 penalty for the
first offence, f10 for the second, and for
the third imprisonment during the pleasure
of the court.
Married persons must live together, OF
be imprisoned.
Every male must have his hair cui
round according to his cap.
Adams nativity has at last been dis
covered. He vas, according to Darwin, q