The Wilmingtonian., 1824-05-13

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who continue in office during good beha'
viour. The DEGREES of this triumvlrate, are
without appeal in all case where religion
is concerned.
Q. There is "littIe Senate" composed
of 7 members, who also hold their office
during good behaviour. They divide the
legislative power with the people, as VIII,
be mentioned more fully presently, and
balance that of the triumv'rate IN all tenn
pora affairs. 1t belongs to this Senate OF
seven, to convoke the national assembly
when the interests of the community re-
quire il. at least once year: and they
are invested with the very extraordinary
power of chosing the members OF this as
sembly. whom they select generally from
the class of the rich and, the Rabblns.-
All the questions to be proposed to this
national assembly are previously discussed
and decided by the triumvlrate and the
Senate of seven united, and them are sub
mitted to the national assembly to be con-
Grmed, or rejected.
On the death of the Grand Rabbin, he IS
replaced by the oldest Of the two assessors,
and he by the third. and the national as
sembly convok ed fills the vacancy by choos-
ing one from among the candidates pro-
posed by the senate of seven, in conjunction
with the two remaining members ct the
triumvirate.-These candidates are taken
from among the class of the rabblns. as It
is necessary that the triumvirate should be
well versed in the laws.
IF it is in the senate that vacancy
takes place, the filling it is by the same
procedure, with this difference that the
choice may fall indiflerently upon Lay
man or Rabbi.
The administration of justice is lodged
in two tribunals established in different
parts of Constantinople. Each of these
tribunals consist Of four judges appointed
to serve during good behaviour. They are
not chosen by the triumvirate. or the sem
ate. but by the national assembly.
All ltigations among the nation are
submitted to these tribunals. If the ques-
ton before them be very difficult, or the
Judges are divided in opinion, it is submit
ted to tile Grand Rabbn whose judgment
is final as to the costs of suit, they consist
merely in small retributon to the clerk
Of the tribunal who records the proceed
ngs.
These tribunalciudge also tribunals oi
their nation, but cannot iniiict capital
punishment. The Turkish government
withholds that power. The punishments
inflicted by the tribunals of the nation a.
mount, therefore, TO Imprisonment. whip.
ping, and hard labour at the marine arsen-
al. The condemned, on the simple re-
quest of the Grand Rabbn to the Turkish
authorities, are sent to the public prison
or to the arsenal, as the requision may be
: there to be detained till their term is ex
pired. Any Jsw, ~ho should appeal irou
r his own to the Mahommedan tribunals
would he forthwith putunder an anathema
: and be totally abandoned by his coreliglon
Z lists.
:. The national expenses consist of th
I. salaries of those OF the Grand Rnbbin an
his two colleagues, of the judges, of sal;
I ries granted to about hundred Rabbin
: whose functions consist in studying the la
e { public instruction of youth, and the servic
IL IL of public worship. It's from this body thu
, the members of the trumvirate and tn
= Judge are selected, their functions requi
;. ing an accurate knowledge Of the law. III
3 : : other expenses consist in succours gran
u ed to the necessitous, and these are so mi
g. e. naged as completely to Danish mendici
y from the nation. There is also abo
>, - 10000 piasters to be paid annually in
u the chest of the marine arsenal on pa
y ment of which, the Hebrew nation are e
;" empted from the marine service-the on
= military service to which the non NIussu
- man subjects the empire are liable. Last
r. r. from six to ten thousand piastres are raj
y. y. ed annually to defray the expenses of,ho
al Of the nation whom devotion determines
:. :, go and die in the Holy Land.
-. -" The management of the public money
" vested in committee Of five. elected /
!" ~ the National Assembly, and who are cha
i. u ged every two years. They make repo
W " to the National Assembly of the anticip
~ ted expenses for the coming year, al
~, -" divide the burthen Of the contribution
~ meet it among the heads of families,
- proportion to their means.
"a. The nation is divided in this respect i
mr. to three classes of persons. /. Tho
in who are able to contribute. 9. Tho
, who are not rich enon,h to contribute, b
'er have no need Of aims. 8. Of the in,
IN. gent, who, instead of giving, receive.
I is said that not more than fifth part