The morning times., 1896-11-08
old LAWS We LIVE UNDER
Ancient Statutes That Have
Not Been Repealed.
FINES PAID IN TOBACCO
You Must Not Marry Your
Grandfather's Wife Nor
Work On Sunday.

magistrate to be proffered a ouanti.v ~,
'ooacco In payment for a fine he had
imposed upon some unfortunate eyiI-doer.
out there Is question whether he would
not in certain instances be compelled to
take it If hard pressed. The law mich,
make him accept it.
BEFORE Maryland cet!ed to Conyres. ,b.
plot that now comprises the District IL was
by no means infreuent tn nase ia,n
Where 1t was optiosel with the offender
on conviction to pay his fine either In the
current money OF the colony or in tobacco:
In those early days it is safe TO assume that
the narcotic commodity was very often
used as currency, and probably halr OF the
lines collected were paid in the weed
large proportion OF the laws in effect
In the District today are ada ptatfons of
The common law of Maryland and except
| in those instances where they have been
specifically repealed the laws that were
| In e1rect at the time the grant Of this
territory was made are still enforceable
| Naturally enough this fact would give
rise to some peculiar features in the laws
that govern the people OF this comm unity
and at times make them liable to ludicrous
punishm ents If the acts were ever en-.
| forced.
MUST OBSERVE SUNDAY.
When the Maryland legislators went
down to Annapolis, in 1923, they never
thought of working Sundays. In
truth, at that time the break king of the
Sabbath was considered one OF the most
| atrOcious crimes on the calendar. The
only wonder is that after the due 6Ielib-
| Grafton they gave the subject the law
| makers did not make the penalty hea vier.
| AS the Ia stands down to this very day
\ any man who does any unnecessary work
| or permits the members of his family or
/ his slaves To overwork themselves on sun
| day, will have to give up 200 pounds OF
| tobacco on conviction.
4 number OF obsolete laws in connection
| With the waterways OF the District are
still in force though probably not enforced.
The Legislators conceived the idea that
| it would be erR barassiug for the community
| in general il some man should conclude TO
build wear or hege'' across any
stream that would obstruct the passage
OF boats. Upon conviction of such auriac-
ity the kings subject was to pay fine
of ten pounds in the current money of
the State OF Maryland" IL so happened
that the value OF ten pounds in Maryland
at that time was an equivalent of
S26.66 1-3.
About the same time, 1874, another
act was passed, fixing penalty for the
offense of throwing ballast from any yes
sci between the setting and the rising of
the sun. The payment of fifty pounds
or S133.33 l-3, " wds the ouly thing that
would have kept skipper out OF prison
had he been convicted. IL any master
today were to attempt to drop the con
tents of the hold of his vessel in the
river after dark it is a question whether
he might not find himself auenable to
the very same law that his ancestors r.,-
spected-
In neither Of the last two acts, however,
was an alternative made that fines might
be paid in tobacco. Subsequent Icgis-
latures have eliminated that to a great
extent. Still the very law for the pro
lection of tobacco is still in effect IN the
District, where there is probably not a
pound grown
THIS WAS SERIOUS.
If one sees fit to enter his neighbors
enclosure and tear up his tobacco plants
he may expect to pay into the Golfers ofthe
District the sum of E100 and 20 10 Jail
for six months without bail or mainprise.
If the unfortunate gentleman is unable TO
pay his fine he viii be permitted to stay
| in prison 4 whole year and will not be ad-
| mitted to bail. This act was passed in
IT44.
The oldest law still in force in the Dis
trict was passed by the British Parliament
| in the ninth year of the reign of King enry
Ill. or about the year 1924. This act re-
lates to the widows dover, and 1t states
that she shall tarry in the chief house of
her husband for forty days after his
death, and that in that time her dover shall
he assigned TO her.
| But Il few years ago a still more inter
| esting and older law was in effect. and
the acts at present on the subject are
| directly traceable to It. 1t was the act
Of 80 Edward ILL., Edward, generally called
the Confessor, began his lengthy reign in
l042. History tells that after bringing
his French cousins avisiting about his
throne for many years, and after having
the royal execUtioner give almost daily
matinees for a portion OF his reign. the
good king became repentent and DOTTED
his regal robes occasionally for tailor.
made costume of sackcloth
| EDWARD III DID THIS.
While wearing this apparel one day he
| Instructed his parliament to pass an act
making it unlawful to arrest q priest
or his clerk while he was in the admin
istration Of his divine duties, such as at
;eutiOr on mass or the visitation of the
sick or the poor.
About two centuries later the handsome
| Richard II in glancing over the law books
one day Just after he had succeeded in
| squelching tie notorious Wat Tyler's re-
belllon, ran across the act. The court
Stenographer is alleged to have reported
that the king said the act was a good one
He thereupon fixed n penalty for one who
should make such arrest, and said ''he shall
| he imprisoned and then he ransoTned at ths
kings Will" In that connection ran
soned' was understood to mean heavily
fined In addition, said the king. he shall
also make gree to the parties arrested
The English people loved both Edward
and Richard, in spite of their respective
failings, and the worthy act was carried
down through the centuries. When Mary
land took her laws from the mother country
This act went along, and only recent legis-
laiion changed it for the District today.
TO PREVENT FRAUD.
To dampen any desire on the part of
| lie citizens to make tCo rapid strides to
| wealth, the wise legislators Commanded
thc magistrate to cut the cars from the
| VOLTS head and to slit its tongue, in
order that second sale of the head might
be impossible. Subsequent lawmakers have
neglected 10 repeal this act.
In addition TO tie laws mentioned and
\ Ian lntr