[59] in libertarians
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daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (dunster@MIT.EDU)
Tue Jul 5 21:01:14 1994
From: dunster@MIT.EDU
To: libertarians@MIT.EDU
Date: Tue, 05 Jul 94 20:59:24 EDT
Pulled this off my fishwrap:
AP.state (07-04) 02:15:21
Libertarian Wants To See Peculiar Laws Off Books
DOVER, N.H. (AP) -- A Hopkinton Libertarian wants peculiar laws --
such as the one that makes it illegal for people to perform magic
tricks without a license -- to be repealed.
The law is among several Brad Dorsey unearthed in his quest for
little-known or antiquated statutes. He plans to lobby for them to be
removed from the books.
``The purpose of having written laws is so everyone knows what they
are,'' he said. ``To have too many laws, especially stupid little laws
like these, is simply ... well, stupid.''
Libertarian state Rep. Don Gorman of Deerfield agreed, and he said
it's no laughing matter.
There are too many government mandates now, he said, and the
Legislature only creates more. Gorman wants to sponsor a bill to
repeal frivolous laws.
Libertarians believe reducing the size of government increases
personal freedom.
Among the laws Dorsey found:
-- A rule that pedestrians ``shall move, whenever practicable, upon
the right half of crosswalks;''
-- An ban on public dancing prior to 2 p.m. Sunday;
-- Regulations governing the sale of colored margarine, including
rules that restaurants must label margarine or serve it in triangular
pats.
Of the latter statute, which is a century old, Dorsey said, ``Would
dairy interests mount a strong objection to a repeal attempt?''
Another law dictates shingles be 4 inches wide and free from shakes
and worm holes.
``At the time, they were referring to wooden shingles, but it says all
shingles,'' Dorsey said. ``A standard roof asphalt shingle is 3 inches
wide.''
That means nearly every New Hampshire roof is illegally shingled, he
said.
Another law has made magician B.J. Hickman of Dover a lawbreaker. He
been pulling rabbits out of hats for nearly 20 years.
An obscure state law requires ``showmen'' -- including magicians,
tumblers, rope dancers and ventriloquists, among others -- to get a
license from selectmen. The community has the power to create a
licensing board, which can charge up to $300 per day for the
performance.
Hickman said he's never heard of the law.
``I wonder if I can incorporate it into my act, somehow,'' he said.
