The New York herald., 1872-11-24
INTERESTING CASE IN FRENCH
JURISPRUDENCE

The Obligations OF Relatives by Marriage
Under the French Law-An Interesting
FrancO-American Case - story of the
Marriage and Claims OF the Baron dc
Brimont An Appeal, and Decision
Reserved.
case OF novel and interesting character Is
now awaiting decision by Judge Woodruff, OF the
United States Circuit Court. The facts of the case
are these In the year 1868 marriage took place
ut Paris between the Baron CASTOR de Blimont ana
Miss Pauline Penniman the daughter OF James I.
Pcnniman, OF this city. The family name OF de
Brimont is Ruinart, name well known In America
from its connection with favorite quality Of
champagne which bears the familiar brand
"Ruinart ct fila, verzenay.r The Baroness
de Brimont died in less than year after her mar
riage, leaving behind her an infant daughter, who
Is st living with her father, the Baron, in Paris.
The Baron had noble name, but no fortune Dur
ing the married life of their daughter, the Baron
ess, Mr. and Mrs Penniman gave the Baron an al
lowance at the rate OF ten thousand dollars in gold
per year; but after the death Of the Baroness her
parents refused to make any further provision for
fhe support OF the Baron and his little daughter,
tneir grandchiid. The Baron, a few months
after his witc's decease began an ac-
ton in one Of the courts OF France
TO compel Mr.. and Mrs. Pcnnlman TO make an
allowance 10 him for his maintenance and that OF
his child This action was brought under the
peculiar law Of France, which provides that
parent who has means shall give pecuniary assist
ance TO his needy chilli, that wealthy child shall
contribute TO the support of his Impoverished
parent, and that iathers.in-law and mothers-in-
law and sons-in.law and daughters-in-law owe one
another the same duty OF pecuniary assistance as
though their connections were OF blood instead OF
by marriage continues, however, only so
long as there shall be n child living, who
il linealy descended, both from the person
who demands and the person who is called upon 10
render material aid under the law In question;
The Baron dc Irimont alleged that he was poor and
that the Pennnans had abundant mcans, and
these facts appearing the French court rendered
jointly and severally pay TO the Baron de Brimont
an allowance Of $4,000 per year, " 200 TO be re.
tanned by him for his own suppor, and 500
ana education OF his daughter. From tins
Judgment Mr.. and Mrs. Pcnniman appealed
TO tho highest Court in France, which anirmcd the
judgment OF the Court below Mr. aud Mrs. Pen
niman then came to America leaving no property
IN France out si which the French Judgment could
be collected. The Baron then caused an action TO
be brought upon the French Judgment against Mr..
and Mrs. Penninan In the hope that the American
Courts would carry that judgment into execution.
INC iacts above detailed appearing upon the lace
OF the declaration, demurrer was interposed on
behalf oi Mr.. Pennlman. On the argument IL
was contended for Mr. Pennman that the
Frrnsh law which devolyeG the duty Of
mutual support upon relations by marriage was
contrary 10 our Whole system OF legislation and
that II was monstrous TO compel MIR. Pcnnnian,
who Is an American, 10 abide by the Judgment Of
the French Court founded upon local law or
France, which has no extra territorial effect, ami
10 make year after year 70 hs former son-in law
an allowance which no one OF his own children
couhi demand from him.
on behaif OF dc Brimoni IL was contended that
The fact that New YORK omitted TO impose the
and son.n.law did not make the execu-
non OF .,thc French Judgment contrary 70
the public poltcy OF this country; mat tile
Judgment, having been proncanced by =