The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-18
HncientColoniaI tatutes Long
Since Wiped Out.
WlICHCRAFT FORBIDDEN
But the Ex:rms Penalty Of Death Was Not
Visited, as in Observation-Disclosures
pusory Observance ef the
Sabbath.
tRichmond Dispatch.)

Inc SuSSeSlIOH OIL Dlue laws having
been raised in connection with the cro-
posed suppression of horse-racing on
Sundays at the speedway, and of their
application to the subject, the question
has been raised as to whether Virginia
has, or has ever had, any blue laws" on
her statute books.
A number of lawyers were interviewed
yesterday in relation to the matter, and
while some were of the opinion that Viz
ginia had never had any statutes or this
description, others were of the opinion
that she had passed such laws III colonial
times.
The opinion seemed to be that the or
igin of these laws, being of a Puritancal
nature, Virginia, the majority of whose
people leaned to the Royalists and the
establshmed church in early coleman
days, would naturally not enact laws OF
this character.
One of the original Connecticut blue
laws" according to Peters, who reported
these laws for instance was that every
male shall have his hair cut round, ac-
cording TO a cap which, OF course,
would suit only the Roundheads, and,
would scarcely be passed by the Virginia
Cavaliers.
Another was: mo one shall run upon
the Sabbath Day, or walk in the garden
or elsewhere. except reverently TO and
from meeting" mo woman shall kiss
her child on the Sabbath or fasting
days mo one snail read communion
prayer, keep Christmas, make mince
pies. dance. play" etc.
POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS.
,,,;n ~
political, as we'll as religious, and the
fact that Virginia did have blue laws
in her colonial days was suggested by
one of the lawyers interviewed as being
due to the political more than the relig-
ious spirit.
For instance. as an offset. doubtless to
Connecticut's act, outlawing the Com
mon Prayer, the VirginiGns early enact
cd a law imposing a penalty on dissen-
ters for failing to attend the services
of the established church.
Another reason peculiarly suggested
by one Of the lawyers for the passage of
'blue laws in this colony, was the
penalties attached to the offenses. These.
he said. went osthe established church
and to support the Dardens and other
persons of that class
y reference to Henning's Statutes at
Large Enthusiastically shows that the Vir-
ginia Colony had it's 'blue laws" too
Like Massachusetts, she had laws
against witchcraft, but, unlike the latter
colony, she did not proceed to the ex-
trCmty of burning them.
RELIGIOUS DISCREPANCIES.
According to Eennings Statutes at
Large the Virginia General Assembly
in the eleventh year of the reign of
George III. passed IAN act for the more
effective suppressrg of disappearing,
swearing, cursing. drunkenness. and
Sabbath breaking" Under this act.
political disability. and incapacity to
hold public office was visited upon any
one who denied existence of God or as
serted there were more gods than enc,
or denied the Christian religion to be
true, or that the Scriptures were of
divine origin and authority, for the first
offence. and for the second Offence st.
ability to sue. disqualification to be a
guardian or executor. or to take any
Sift or legacy, and moreover to suffer
three years Imprisonment"
Another act provided that if any per-
son of the age of q years or more does
neglect or refuse to resort to their par
IRISH church or chapel for the purpose
of hearing divine service, he or she
shall forfeit and pay for every such Of
fence the sum of five shillings or fifty
pounds of tobacco"
Another act subjected persons who
kept lewd company to punishment by Il
fine if after being called out twice pub
licly in church by the minister of the
parish they failed to forsake the error
OF their way.
DISORDERLY GATHERINGS
IL And still another act declared that eff
any person shall on the Sabbath Day
be present at any disorderly meeting,
gaming. or tipping. or shall, on the said
day, make any journey, and travel upon
the road, except to and from church
leases of necessity and charity except
ed or shall, on the said day, be found
working in their corn or tobacco, or any
other labor of their ordinary calling,
othcr than is necessary for the susie
nance OF man and beast, every person
tai ing or making default in any OF the
premises shall forfeit and pay
Tor every such offence five shallings or
Fifty pounds of tobacco" and failing to
ray the fine after conviction, shall re-
ceiVe on his or her bare back ten lashes
we'll laid on"
There are other enactments of sii'1i-
lar character, but these will suffice to
show that blue laws were known here
in colonial days"
The laws, of course. are not now in the
revised Virginia Code In fact they were
CUT out of the Virginia statutes by The
nrs' revision. made in 1919, and have
heen left out of the two revisiors that
nave followed of the Virginia laws
TO THE CITIZENS OF RALEIGH
For the information of the MANY