There's an idea

From a Korean history I'm proofreading:
One of this king's most interesting edicts was in connection with the census. Having ordered a numbering of the people, he found that objections were raised, because it would mean a more systematic and thorough collection of taxes. So he put forth the edict that whenever murder occurred, if the murdered man's name was not on the list of tax payers, the murderer would be immediately pardoned. Of course everybody hastened to get their names on the books and to let it be known.

3 comments:

Ymar Sakar said...

The US pardon system would be an interesting way to sanction killings, in an unofficial format. At least one person has thought up that idea.

DL Sly said...

It's good to be da King!
heh
0>;~]

Assistant Village Idiot said...

Virginia Postrel has suggested something similar for organ donations. All people who signed up as donors jumped the line as receivers over those who had not previously signed up.