Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-20
some OF THE LAWS
OF "AULD LANG SYNE"
As Early As 1867 the City
Council Took Coznizance
Of the Salem Hog

In the good old days of 4S years ago,
the city marshal was allowed the sum
of 81 for attending the meetings Of the
city council, according to the city laws
published in directory issued in 1871.
This directory of A years ago is in the
possession of David A. johnson, who
prizes the book from the fact that he
was right here at the time, doing busi-
ness on Commercial street, between
State and Ferry.
The city fathers in those days were
not backward about providing an in
come for the city, as the city laws pro-
vided that a menagerie or circus should
be assessed $25 day, bowling alleys
paid $50 per annum and the saloons got
this: ''For keeping bar room or
drinking shop where spirituous or malt
liquors are sold in quantities of less
than one quart, 5000 per annum."
These laws were in force and passed
by the council May 90, 1867.
The foundation for taxing automo-
biles and taxi-cabs was laid by the city
fathers 4S years ago whom they as
sessed one horse dray $40 per annum,
while the man lucky enough to possess
two horse truck paid $40. Auctioneers
were set back $50 year and if a
peddler whished to peddle goods other
than products of the state, the dam
age to him was $40 a quarter.
Saloon keepers were supposed to keep
a "decent and respectable house" A
fine of $50 was assessed against the
person who forgot his parlor language
and was guilty Of "rude, indecent or
disOrderly conduct"
Speeding was an unknown quantity
in those days, yet the way was pre-
pared for the fast ones of the present
day, as the 1867 ordinance provided
that fine of $40 was about right for
the offender who might "ride or drive
through the streets Of the city at a
pace liable to endanger life or prop
erty.n
Drawing dirk knife was an ex-
pensive sport, as an offering of 800
to the city treasury was the required
amount in case of conviction.
Five pounds of gunpowder for priv
ate use was the limit for one person,
and business houses were limited to 25
pounds of gunpowder. in cans and rs
pounds of blasting powder.
Sheep must have been rather plenti-
full in those days, as the marshal was
allowed only so cents head for taxi
ing up stray sheep, while horse, mule
or cow stood him good for So.
Running to a fire incurred some
responsibilities in the early days of the
70's. A section of the ordinance pro-
vides that, "if any person shall will
fully fail Or refuse to aid in extinguish-
ing a fire or in saving or protecting
property exposed to danger, when ord
cred to do so by the chief or assistant
engineer, such officer may cause his
arrest and ON conviction, shall be fined
not less than 80.
AS early as 1867, the people Of the
city preferred to do their own digging
around their flower beds and in their
gardens as one section reads "No
swine shall 60 at large in any of the
streets, alleys, lanes or public places in
the City of Salem" II swine in any
number or size did happen to wander
within the city limits, the marshal was
authorized to place them in suitable
enclosure, post notices in three public
places and if not claimed within
week, sold to the highest bidder.
That the city fathers had advanced
ideas about permitting goods to be dis
played on the sidewalks, note the fol-
lowing ordinance, passed in 1867:
"That any person who shall place, or
expose for sale, any vegetables, furni-
ture, boxes, fowls, goods, wares, mer-
chandise of any description, or other
distractions, which shall occupy a
frontage of over 10 inches (from the
adjacent building) on or over the side
walk, shall upon conviction before the
recorder, be fined not less than $l0."