Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-04-10
THIRTY-NINE STRIPES.

Gently, but it is now West Washington.
1t is separated from the national cap
ital by Rock creek, and the laws there
are in many instances different from
the laws on the east side of Rock creek.
Many acts punishable as offenses in
that section do not constitute otfenses
under the laws governing the rest of the
district. Many of these old laws, though
they may never have been repealed, are
seldom enforced, and then only when
many complaints are made about a
certain thing, and the old law books are
overhauled. Now and then one of
these old law books is resurrected, and
for awhile persons have to obey it, but
II soon becomes a dead letter again,
and the law is violated with impunity
for another score or more of years.
Every few years the question of observ-
ing the Sabbath is agitated. Some of
the old laws are found to meet the case.
1t is violation of one of the old George
town corporation laws to sell on Sun
day any article except medicines, fresh
fish, milk and other perishable goods
which cannot be kept over night with
safety, but this law is seldom enforced,
and then only when complaint is made,
or after a general order has been is
sued notifying storekeepers to close
their places OH Sunday. This law, like
many others. has been contested in
the courts and found to be valid.
Then there is another law which pro-
hibits any manual labor on the Sab
bath. This law, like the preceding one,
has been contested and held TO be still
in force. 1t provides:
THAT more etfectually to prevent ir-
regular practices so common on Sun
day, every person working or COM
manding, or suffering their children or
slaves 10 work, except in Gases of neces-
sity, or otherwise profane the Sabbath
by gaming, hunting, fishing or other
unlawful pastimes, shall. on conviction,
forfeit sum not exceeding five dol
lars" The second section provides
that "if the offender be a minor and the
fine is not paid by himself, parent,
guardian or master, he shall be forth
with committed to the penitentiary for
time not exceeding five days, or if
he be a slave he shall be publicly
whipped, not exceeding 30 stripes"
AT the West Washington station
house the police have an old law book,
printed in 1921, which furnishes them
tie text of the old laws covering GER
tain offenses. There are but few of
these books in existence, so far as is
| known, and when u case other than as
sault and battery or disorderly con-
duct is made the officer making the ar
rest usually has TO take this book to
court to show his ground for action.
The police doing duty west of Rock
| creek have not only TO be able-bodicd
men, strong and plucky enough to
| handle rItfians and smart enough TO
capture thieves, but they have to be
versed in all the ancient laws of George
| town. Most of them can stand for
hours and discuss the legal status of
their section.
Reported in the book is a law passed
August 4, 1875, which is intended to pre-
vent accidents arising from gallopinG
horses through streets. The act pro-
vides THAT any person, within the jur-
isdiction of this corporation, who shall
by galloping or otherwise force at an
improper speed any horse, mare or
gelding through any of the streets,
lanes or alleys, shall, if free man, for
| felt and pay for every such otfense the
sum of is shillings, current money, to
the use of this corporation, to be re-
covered either before any cne aldermen
or by indictment or confession in the
mayors court; and If an apprentice, in
dentured servant or slave, the mistress
or master of such apprentice. servant or
slave shall forfeit and pay the sum OF
Beven shillings and six pence, current
money, to be recovered as aforesaid"
4 An act of October 10, 1896, sets forth
that "the respectable inhabitants have
/ suffered great Inconvenience from the
| vast concourse of idle white and black
persons who frequently assemble and
/ engage in cock fights. at which times
they drink to excess, became riotous,
and prevent the quiet and repose OF
good citizens" The first section of the
act, and the second section, related to
slaves, who were subject to 80 stripes
on the bare back in a public place. The
firing of guns or other firearms was
made punishable under an act of octo