The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-01-08

IGNORANCE of the law IS no excuse
for crime, and in view of this funda-
mental principle of our Jurisprudence 1t
would be well for the people of Mime
sofa TO inform themselves as to the pro-
vision Of the new penal code adopted
by the last legislature, and which took
effect on the LIST. inst. The code is an
extremely rigid one, being formed after
the criminal code of New York State,
which is known to be one of the most
carefully constructed in the country.
There is very little of the laxity exist
ing in the old code to be found in the
new. Murder in the first degree Is pun
ishable by death, though the sentencing
Judge may imprison for life where there
are mitigating circumstances to warrant
1t. Prize fighting is placed under the
most stringent restrictions. Any citi-
zen of the State who goes into another
State to interest himself in any way in
a pugilistic contest is liable under the
law, the same as if he we're accessory to
"A similar occurance within his own state.
Treason against the State is punishable
by imprisonment for life. Any person
cognizant OF treason having been COM
United and Ices not give notice of such
is punishable for misprison of treason.
Parties offering brides to public officers,
or any officer taking a bride car be pun
ished by imprisonment to the extent Of
ten years or fined to the extent Of 5000.
ANY officer exacting or accepting extor-
tionate fees for service is punishable.
ANY person who offers a reward for the
appointment of public office of himself
or any other person is guilty of a mis-
demeanor,a and any appointing officer re-
ceiving such reward is punishable also.
Parties are held TO strict account for at
tempting to bride a legislator, or a leg
islator receiving a bride is punishable.
In fact bribing in any way is strictly
forbidden SO far as public officers and
offices are concerned. Perjury is given
"A significance of almost unlimited ex-
tent and is severely punishable. Con-
spiracy, suicide, abortion, manning. kid
mapping, assaults and robbing are each
put under rigid measures. Duelling and
challenges and libels are also strictly
guarded against. Crimes against rellg-
ious liberty and conscience, and the OBJ
servance of the Sabbath day receive due
consideration. The transaction of busi-
ness on Sunday is forbidden, excepting
that which is necessary to public health
aud charity. Bigamy and all similar
crimes are forbidden upon strict penal
ty. Obscene literature of all kinds, and
baudv or disorderly houses have been
wisely restricted in the new code, and
such offenders are now liable to severer
punishments than ever. before. Letter
les and gaming of all kinds are strictly
provided against, and he who conducts
such must do it in the most secret way
if he desires to do so with impunity.
Crimes against public health and the
public peace are o under severer pen
alties than before. Crimes against pri-
vate and public property, such as
arson, forgery, larceny, will hereafter
be more severely punished. In com-
piline this code Just and humane pro-
visions for prevention of cruelty to ami
mails, children, etc. have been made.
There is a great variety Of crimes con-
sidered which makes il a very compre-
hensive as well as rigid code.