Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-10-25
The Blue LAWS,

We copy TIC 1OiiONtuS lEOIu Tic N. l.
San, q paper edited by Charles "A. Danna
who is also u writer for the Ameri-
a Cyelopedia, a work quoted by Rev.
John Wayman, of this city, to discredit
the existence of "Blue Laws" in Con-
necticut. 1t seems, however, that the
paper which probably has the largest cir
culation, and is certainly the best inform
ed, in this country, comedies in the opin-
ion of the LEDGER, that the "WOoden
Nutmug" State not only had, but still has
"Blue Laws on its statute book:
VICTIMS OF hi Blu LAWS
NEW HAVEN, Oct. Is, lsS3-Justice
Grove Tuttle of East Haven seated him.
self with dignity this evening to try the
blue-law charges of Sabbath breaking
against the fourteen New Haven men who
were arrested on the old Foxon road yes
terday for taking Il Sunday afternoon
ride.
The accused were A. j. Gould, j. b.
Gould, Michael Downey, H. L. Babcock,
James Dunlap, Daniel Kelly, Charles Der
by, Rockwell A. Linsley, John Foley,
Charles Daley, William Killroy, Peter
taAiiSuht LUIGI "tuSly Vuu VII
DriscOll.
Constable Sperry and his deputies tes-
titled to detecting the parties riding along
the public highwaw on the Sabbath, and
this was all the evidence required. None
of the prisoners could declare that they
had ridden out as Gan act of necessity
and mercy" Consequently all were held
to be guilty of an offense under the
statute of l702, which provides that ey-
cry person who shall travel or do any Sc
cular business or labor, except works OF
necessity or mercy, or engage in any
recreation on Sunday between sunset anG
sunrise, shall be fined not more than s.
nor less than 81.
Lawyer Charles Fowler, the town pros.
ecuting agent, made q speech regarding
the heinOus crime against the public
peace which the accused persons ha(
committed, and Justice Tuttle won tn,
applause of the rural audience by impos'
ing a fine of So with S2.94 costs on eacl
offender.
The st. Louis Republican adds Their,
were also six women with the party, WHIT
increased the Nervousness of the crime b,
stopping to pick up a few hickory nuts
They were put like a drove of cattle int
a n%eighhoring barn yard, where they hal
nothing either to stand or sit on, bu
manure, and where those that could no
find bail, were kept, and guarded til
next day, amid a drizzling rain. The Sc.
dalia Democrat agrees with us also, ant
uses the following language:
Last Sunday, several gentlemen wht
were out driving with their wives o.
sweethearts in New Haven, were ARRESTED
and huddled together In a barnyard, t.
await for hours the attendance of a jus
tice. Some were released on bail ant
others were detained all night, their of,
Tense being Sabbath breaking under tn,
Connecticut Blue laws, which prohibi
pleasure driving on Sunday. This il
worse than a farce. 1t is an outrage on
civilized community. The very citizens
who laid before the grand jury, the com.
plants which led to the arrests woul.
probably ship a load of wooden nutmeg
for cash without conjunction, or chea
their best friend in a horse trade with al
unruffied conscience, provided the bar.
gain was made on any day of the weel
but the Sabbath. They would, no doubt
SANDER a neighboI in his absence or at.
tack d females reputation without dream.
ing that they were doing a mean and in.
famous act. Blu they would not ALLOW
their fellow-townsmen to drive out witt
their wives and families on SUNDAY
Their of religious duty was shock.
ed by such a Sacriligious proceeding
What rank hypocrisyto keep such law
on the statute-book! What arrant big
Otry to attempt to enforce themi