The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1920-11-25

H. 0. Bishop in the Washington Star.
"Blue Law" is a term generally APP
FLED to any laws which impose vex-
atious restriction and interfere with
the ordinary life. of community, or
which seeks to regulate the private
morals of the members of the commun-
ity.
New England was not the only sec
ton Of the United States the gained
publicity thru the inAiction of laws
OF that character Virginia and Mary
land went thru a spasm of laws al
most as strict as those of New Eng
land. Virginia's filing occurred be-
tween 1862 and 1880 Maryland's
wave of blue reform commenced short
~ after Virginians wearied Of it.
The most nearly objectionable
crime of Virginian could commit at
that time was the stealing of hogs.
The punishment for the first shoat
stolen was a fine of 1000 pounds of
tobacco imposed upon the thief. A
similar amount was awarded the in
former. In case the thief had no to-
bacco he was obliged to work year
without wages for the owner of the
porker and another year for the chap
who ''peached" on him.
Upon a second conviction of hog
stealing the offender was put in the
pillory for two hours and had both
of his ears cut off The third offense
put him beyond the pale-so far be-
yond as to preclude any possible re-
turn to Virginia or any other state.
Met Du.,ksca Chsfd~z~
The baptism Of Virginian children
was considered as necessary as vacci-
nation is today Any person failing to
have a youngster baptised by lawful
minister was separated from two
Thousand pounds Of his tobacco crop,
half going to the parish and half to
the informer.
The only lawful walking on Sunday
was to. and from church, and those
failing to attend divine services and
behave themselves during the
were hailed before the coun-
ty court and fined fifty pounds of to-
bacco.
Virginians of that period enter
tanned a strong dislike for their
Quaker brothers. If any one permit
ted Quaker to preach or teach in or
near their premises it meant a fine for
thine of five thousand pounds of to-
bacco. A ship captain bringing a
Quaker to Virginia port was fined
five thousand pounds of tobacco and
to transport each undesir-
able" out of the country free of
charge.
An attempt to prevent scandal and
gossiping brought forth this law: "In
actions of SANDER oeeasioned by a
mans wife, after Judgment past for
damages, the woman shall be punished
BY ducking, and is SANDER be such as
the damages shall be adjudged at
above five hundred pounds of tobacco,
hen the woman shall have ducking
Tor every five hundred pound of to-
laceo adjudged against the husband,
+ he refuse to pay the tobacco"
Fixed Lawyers Fees.
Lawyers of the old dominion didn't
lave much TO lock forward to in the
way of accommodating riches. The
mount was beneficial to the clients,
because it enabled them to know be-
orchard just what a job of litigating
vas going to cost them.
Part of the law on the subject was /:
IF any attorney shall refuse to
plead any cause for aforesaid fees he
hall forfeit as much as his fees should |
rave been"
1t is almost certain that Captain 1
Tohn Smith inaugurated the first blue /
aw in Virginia. Smith was strongly 1
opposed to the use of profane language.
lie sought to stamp 1t out by lining
he Of -.
ng with their right arms held high
Ibove their heads and pouring big
Upper of water down their sleeves. /
history is silent as TO whether this I
essened or increased cussing in
jamestown.
At one time, it is said, squirrels were
10 numerous in Virginia that they !
'ften destroyed much corn; frequently |
he outside rows were entirely con-
umed. In order to remedy this great |
economic loss, the general court, af-
er much serious contemplation, or
erred that thereafter no planter
hould have or plant outside rows in
lis cornield."
Death for Blasphemy.
Following are some Of Maryland's /
hottest blue laws:
If any persons whatsoever, inhab-
ling within this province shall BIAS +
heme, that is curse God, deny our
savior to be the son of God, or deny
he Holy Trinity, or the God head of
ny of the three persons, or the unity /
f the God head, or shall utter any
eproachful words or language con-
erning the Holy Trinity, or any per-
ons thereof. he or she shall for the
rst offense be bored thru the tongue
nd fined 20 pounds sterling. Or is
he party hath not an estate sufficient
D answer that sum, then to suffer six