The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-01-10

ITO one freedom of the city-six
| beaver SKINS
Entries like this would have dotted
the debit side of the expense accounts
of Foch, Diaz, Beatty, Jacques and
old world figures drawn to America
In the wake of the World war had
they come about three centuries
earlier.
And instead of riding at the head
Of triumphal professions to the city
halls Of various municipalities, there
to receive the freedom of the city at
the hands Of respectful mayors, to the
accompaniment of bands and cheering
throngs, they would have had to file
petitions in court for their freedom
and take Oaths not to offend against
the law of the land.
Comforting of the freedom of city
on visitor has come to mean almost
precisely the opposite of what it meant
in the young days of America and
earlier-in the medieval days in Eng
land.
Originally Economic Measure.
1.-THE origin Of the custom of grant
ing the freedom of the city to aliens
is virtually lost in antiquity" said
Professor Harold McBain, instructor
in municipal government at Columbia
University, commenting on the round
Of brilliant receptions that have kept
the mayors of New York and other
cities almost constantly in tall hats
and frock coats in recent months.
at appears, however, to have grown
directly out of the medieval Organiza-
ton of industry on monopolistic |
basis and was originally an economic |
measure pure and simple.
''In the old English borough 1t
amounted to a license to carry on bust
ness and, later, to vote. Without the
status of freeman, conferred by the
grant, q man could not rise above the
class Of employee.
"The early Dutch settlers Of New
Amsterdam-now New York-set up
a similar status, called the burgher
right, in 1913, as protection against
Scotch merchants and petty traders
who spoil trade and business by I'M
dersellng. Persons not holding the
Durgher right were prohibited from
business either with Chris
tan or heathen.' The fee was six
beaver skins.
Freedom of the city was provided
'or in the Dongan charter of 1856
he first English charter of New York
Jity-and its dispensatiOn was In ,
rusted to We mayor or any three or
more of We alderman The fee by this
ine was reckoned in British pounds |
instead of beaver SKINS pounds 10
killings for the shopkeeper class and
pound shillings for handicrafts-
nen.
"Persons receiving the grant were
euuired to take the oath, 'Obeysant .
nd obedient shall We bee to the mayor
nd ministers Of this city, and swOre
. take turns at the watch, pay their
axes and warn the mayor Of any
atherings, cOnventicles or conSpira-
les made against the Kings peace.
Honorary Freedom Begun.
ut was in the latter part Of the :
ghteenth century that the practice
: bestowing gratuitous, honorary free
oms of the city appeared.
early New York records recite the
astowal of the freedom of the city X
T New York on Capt. Sir Peter War NJ
n for his exploits against the French IL
Id to Generals Shirley. Monckton and *
age. Ia
Later there is an entry showing Is
L. honor was bestowed on three sail IE
{ of a vessel lying in New York har- lie
r. in recognition of their services in IE
lping extingush a disastrous fire."
The formality had nearly died out, IL
hen the termination of the war liz
ought revival, designed to honor is
ted visitors. Professor McBain said liz
knew of no records showing the IL
igin of the practice of delivering the III
eys of the city" to persons receiving is
& honor. liz