The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-10-24
THOSE ANCIENT BLUE LAWS.
4 SINGULAR SERIES OF THE 0F-
 FENCES OUTLINED.


 FENCES OUTLISED. Mother Must Not Kiss Her Child on Sum
 dny-A Criminal 0ffense to Bring Cards
 or Dice Into This Domlnion-How the
 Hair Must be Cut-other Absurdities.
 The following "compendium" so- called, of Ancient Blue Laws. to which this significant name was probably first applied, is copied from history of Con- necticut, printed in London in l7s2. and copied into the Massachusetts Maga- zine, printed at Boston by Isaiah Thom- as and Ebenezer T. Andrews, at Fausts statute, No. 45 Newburg street, Febru- ary, 1791.
 The governor and magistrates, con- vened in general assembly. are the su- preme power under God of this inde- pendent dominion. From the deter mination of the assembly no appeal shall be made.
 Whoever says there is power and Jurisdiction above and over this do- minion shall suffer death and loss of property.
 Conspiracy, attempting to change or overturn this dominion, shall suffer death.
 The judges shall determine contro- versy without a jury. No one shall be freeman or give a vote, unless he be converted and a member in full communion with one of the churches allowed In this dominion.
 No man shall hold any office who is not sound in the faith, and faithful to this dominion, and whoever gives a vote to such person, shall pay fine of POS. for the first offense, and for the second he shall be disfranchised. Each freeman shall swear by the blessing of God to bear true allegiance to this dominion, and that Jesus Is the only king.
 No Quaker or dissenter from the wor- ship from the established dominion shall be allowed to give vote for the election of magistrates or any officer. No food or lodging shall be afforded Quaker, Adamite or other Heretick. If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished, and not suffered to re- turn but upon pain of death. No priest shall abide in this domin- ion; he shall be banished and suffer death on his return. Priests may be seized by any one without a warrant.
 No one is to cross ferry but with an authorized ferryman.
 No man shall run on the Sabbath or walk in his fgafden or elsewhere, ex- cept reverently to or from meeting. No one shall: travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut hair or shave on the Sabbath day. No woman shall kiss her child on the Sabbath or fasting day. The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on | Saturday. To pick an ear of corn growing in a neighbors garden shall be deemed a l theft.
 A person accused of trespass in the | night shall be judged guilty, unless he clear himself by his oath. When it appears that the accused has confederates, and he refuses to discov- CT them, he may be racked.
 No one shall buy or sell lands with out permission of the selectmen.
 Whoever publishes a lie to the preju- dice of his neighbor, shall set in the stocks, or be whipped fifteen stripes.
 No minister shall keep a school. Whoever brings cards or dice into this dominion shall pay a fine of f5. Whoever wears clothes trimmed with gold, silver or bone lace, above two shillings by the yard, shall be present ed by the grand jurors, and the select men shall tax the offender at $500 es- tate.
 A debtor in prison swearing that 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.
 No person shall read common prayer, keep Christmas or saints day, make mince pies, play cards, or play on any instrument of music, except drum, trumpet and jewsharp. No gospel minister shall join people in marriage; the magistrate only shall join in marriage, as they may do it with less scandal to Christ's church. When parents refuse their children convenient marriages, the magistrate shall determine the point. Fornication shall be punished by compelling marriage, as the court may direct.
 Adultery shall be punished with death.
 A man that strikes his wife shall pay fine of f1O; a woman that strikes her husband shall be punished at discre- tion of the court. ...
 A wife shall be deemed good evidence against her husband.
 No man shall court a maid in person or by letter without first obtaining the consent of her parents; f5 penalty for the first offense, f10 for the second, and for the third imprisonment during pleasure.
 Married persons must live together or be imprisoned.
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