National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-07-19
A NARROW ESCAPE.

The contrast between the treatment O
accused persons on their trial in France
and the mlder conduct of our crimina
proceedings, has been often insisted on
ana with some complacency. 1t has been
'hd that in the one country the prisoner
Is assumed TO be guilty till proved limo
cent, in the other he is assumed innocent
until proved guilty. Yet the French theo-
ry might seem to be at least consistent
and logical; for the fact that man is in
custody, and under restraint. amounts al
most to a dealing with him as though he
were guilty. We make him present, for
his comfort, of the handsome theory; the
French disdain the compliment, and only
carry out our practice to the end with a
brutal and relentless logic. Some Incl
dents in the recent Communists trials at
Versailles, which have been reported ver-
batum, will illustrate the singularity of
French criminal procedure in rather
striking fashion.
These trials were directed by number
Of officers, who filled the offices of presi-
dent, prosecutor and reporter, and the
trials began by the reading of a general
Indictment against the whole party of ac-
'u0Oh, oSttiiS iuitIl dll llic lIlClutHlS vi l1p
affair in question. This WAS drawn up in
rather sensational and dramatic style,
full of such phrases as "this hdeous bus
mess, ''these execrable villains" ''this
eyense is simply humbug," and was fol-
lowed by little epitome Of the particular
part each accused had taken in the affair.
Then each prisoner stood up and was in
'errogated by the judge. assisted by the
PROSECUTOR, who strengthened weak places
by putting questions himself. The judge
mad before him all the dispositions of the
witnesses, AID on these he founded his
questions. The accused was called on
usually after this form: "By the docu-
ments just read, you are accused of certain
offences; what have you to say in your
defence p
The prisoner generally said he was inno-
cent, or, in few sentences, gave some
excuses. The president then Ito take the
case OF FRANCOIS, the governor of the pris
On where the hostages were contined)
would answer bluntly - Everything
Iroves your guilt; your nomination to
The post and your choice of such subordi-
mates as Picon and Ramain, because you
Knew that these men would carry out
Your wishes with greatest cruelty"
L,raneois answered. did not appoint
'hem.' The President had him in sec
ohd. We have your letter of appoint
l9ent here" thus drawing first blood.
hut the other explaining that he had made
me same offer to every one OF the old
Jallors, the president, no doubt little put
ont, returned to the attack with rather a
shabby thurst. "At all events, the court I
viii see from the behavior Of these two
men that you had an object in view in APP
POINTING them" Then the accused was
ssked whether he had done certain things,
which he would deny, apd was met by
notation from the evidence of witness
Saose evidence was to come, the prisoner
Delng thus ingeniously forced to deny the
ruth or give some explanation. The
tiuge would be sarcastic at times
here were you from eight to ten
u :, eiockF' "In bed" "No doubt, from
.le agitation into which the noise of the
aI!ng had thrown you" Sometimes the
: of one prisoner would affect the
! ner; and the Judge would turn to the
,1'ter and ask" What have you to say
~ ~ that" Some, like the woman La
! lE-laise, s,i, would answer rashly-" It's a
;; others would Intellectually try to
llsIify themselves.
me examination of the witnesses re-
SSeaied the strangest characteristics. Evil
Ieuce Ioa was given in speeches whole pages
oe, and discussion like the following
~. IN frequent occurrence. The prose-
..r.or-" Didn't you hear dispute be-
zen FRANCOIS Briant, and Robe as to
y .i:aring the bOotyl' Witness" Well.
..a, lis set seemed to me on such good terms
!. IN each other, that am really amaxed
ahe question. These gentry lived TO-
.elher on the fst of the land. used TO |.
y 70 them, Oar children ese dying, |,