The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-17
Richmond, Va, February II, 1907.


and and. much ea sy assumed tie e eary every cry
f &c ad oG1t Should
oe remembered however that these early lawmakers were
Sss'E sg Sa oa s eena 'a I
vansd civilization but for the seventeenth century under
rnr ne vey o e Gl b
ers in England And yet in all their legislation there APP
5 o II y 2 d d
elaborate law making # they undertook to regulate matters
That seem to US to be removed from the eginats sphere Of
actuaed with good motives and controlled by good common
The practical good sense Of vrginas first lawmakers
is in evidence anywhere than in their legislation
touching incmpcrance. They put the Of blaine and
Is Il this an 'G Elemental s e eongru that That appeals Is ones
sense OF simple and unixcd justice It differs widely from
nae m in chat + 9p s 10
who permits himself to become debaucned They passed
laws e d effect that ne found drunk fer the first
second offene he to be rcproved public for the third
onse the Governor was to take the place Of the minister
Governor given full authority inflict such punish
ment in his Judgment the seemed require In the
mater OF temperance they sought by wise legislation to in
sure the purity Of liquors enforcing heavy penalties where
these stus greatly diluted adulteratcd by the
the disposed to his credit at the tavern by
ing law that in the keeper seemed to be guilty
certain conditions and after certain ase time his account
would be worthless before the law.
The Assembly first regulate the
matter Of wearing apparel and in this legislation there also
appeal to ones Of elemental justice It pro-
vided that every should be support the church
according to the quality Of clothes he II he
married. according to his apparc if married according
only to those of his own, but that of his Wife's apparel
we'll There seems here to be unusual sense
appears in simple justice that should be willing
tribute to the church in the spirit Of lberaly with
which conducts his private and domestic affairs
The legislation Of the New England Purans is often cited
example Of intolerance Even casual
study will reveal the fact that the work Of the lawmakers
both sections really did not dier very widely There
the interference and Intolerance in religious
there the unproporionasc severity the enforce
ment Of penalties for what in day to be trivial Of
lenses there the mcddlng with private affairs and
habits Of the individual
This first Assembly passed law concerning swearing
the colony One found guilty Of this ofens after having
been three times admonised, fined five shlings for
All persons required On Sunday
the men being required to with their firearms. No
other except that conducted by minister
Church Of England tolerated. being many years
before other forms OF religious services permitted.
The laws regarding the relation Of the settlers to the
Of with the aborgnes They permitted to trade
and barter with the Indians but they could self them
hoes dogs shot powder firearms other implements which
might to the advantage Of the Indian case Of
fc II shot, powder firearms sold to Them the
penalty for such rcfracton of the law death
was permitted to go into the Indian country and remain
longer than days without formal leave Of absence
from the Governor.
However, the first Assembly showed genuine concern
for welfare Of the aborignes A law passed looking
to the education and Outstanding Of the Indians and
bonus offered every plantation which should seek to
and the Indian youth to the Christian
ligon.
l...I AZ.