National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-02-21

How the hey Of TuniS Furnishes Dishonest Reve'
nue. Collsoiora

How the hey Of Tuni- Furnishes Dishonest Revo.
nus COLLECTORS
Theodorus OF Abyssinia has been
considered the most cruel and blood
thirsty ruler of modern times, but he
has rival sovereign who lives nearer
the confines Of civilization, and whose
atrocious conduct should arouse the in
dignation of humane people throughout
the world. That sovereign il tho pres
cnt Bcy Of Tunis, whose whole career
since he became ruler OF Wis country
has been marked by arbitrary oppression
and crueltiss. Afew OF the aged shieks
Of his country, who had known his
character before he succeeded his father
IA mild an amiable prince-urged his
mother to let her younger son ascend
the throne OF Tunis. The heir apparent
heard this, and with the help Of u few
Of his boon companions he seized the
reins Of government.
No sooner was he in power than he
vented his spite upon the above-men-
toned men. Not only were nine of his
victims bastinadoed in the most merci
less manner, but the eyes and tongues
of them were torn out, and they were
thrown in this terrible and utterly help
less condition, in the middle Of July,
into desert spot, where they persisted
miserably II prey to the pitiless rays OF
II scorching African sun, and to the
equally pitiless beaks of vultures and
buzzards. From that time the reign Of
the Bey of Tunis has been marked by
deeds Of cruelty, which, if they have
not become generally known because
perpetrated upon persons Of humber
condition in life than the illustrious
victims mentioned above, have been no
less henious. The Bey of Tunis is the
Supreme Judge in his country. He
tries criminals and orders their imme-
date execution after hearing the case
or he annuls the DEGREES of the Kadis if
they do not suit him, and Furnishes the
unfortunate prisoner according to his
pleasure.
On the 9Th of November last the Bey
was in more towering passion than
ever before. He is nm extravagant liver
and spends more money than the taxes
OF Tunis yield to him. During the
second empire he negotiated heavy
loan in France, and some greedy Italian
bankers have likewise advanced him
large sums Mt exOrbitant interest.
Being afraid of France the Bey of Tunis
pays his creditors in that country pune
tually, but has little respect for Italy,
and last summer several Italian men-of-
war had to threaten his capital with
bombardment before he made arrange
ments for paying the interest due to
Italian bankers. Being thus constant
prey to financial embarrassments, he
does not like to be swindled by his tax
collectors. Now, on the abovc-men-
toned 9Th of November, he received
information that three of
them, Badu-Ben- Hakim, AlduBen-
and Diakr-Ben-Legu, who had for years
committed defalcations upon the Bey's |
treasury and accounted for only two
thirds of the taxes they had collected.
The Bey sent for the faithless collectors,
and, after talking to them about their
demanded what they were
going to do about it. The three were
SO frightened by the anger of His High
ness that they fell upon their knees,
and, confessing their crime, implored
his mercy.
The Bey, unable to central his rage,
sprang to his feet, and crying, "You
shall die, dogs!" ordered the Kadi of
Tunis to appear before him and try the
prisoners in accordance with the old !
Moslem law. The Kadi appeared,
found the prisoners guilty, and asked
The Bey what punishment should be in
flicted. The Kadi told him that the
aw was that those who stole money
90 L1 T,I,~I
sultan, or one of his vassals, should be
mpaled. "Let them be impaled,
,hen," said the Bey. Vainly did the
yretched prisoners implore his mercy.
The Bey remained infexible, and the
'ruel sentence was carried into execu-
ion on the morning of the following
lay An escort of fifty soldiers took
he three condemned men to q sand
Mound on which had been erected the
hree instruments on which they were
o suffer their excruciating agony. The {
loomed men looked detected, but had !
cached that calmness which character
yes the Moslem when he knows that
leath is inevitable. These three in
truments of an agonizing death were
trong iron spits, about ten feet high. .
About five feet from the ground there $
'as n heavy nail through each of the
pits. When the criminals reached the
Dot of the mound they were seized by n
tx executioners. They quickly I'M il
ressed the three doomed men. Two {,
them placed high stepladder close
, one of the spits-two Of them held
he ladder so that it did not fall-and o
ne, n fellow of herculean str, myth, ii
lrried BaduBen-H akim up toward the a
ONT of spit. Raising the unfortu- o.
ate man above it, he put him upon the t.
pit. The victim uttered wild scream ell
, the cold iron entered his flesh, and 81
lied the spit with his hands, but the
Iecutioner pressed him down heavily .
ntil he reached the cross nail. For u
lnately for the sufferer, he died almost til
lstantly. The same atrocious opera ea
on was then performed upon Aldu- u
en-Fesi. He had seen the fortunes
hich his wretched predecessor had to a,
ndergo, and struggled feebly when of
lie pitiless hands Of the executioner of
lied him. The victim lived two or so
rec minutes after he had been i'm til
lied, lttering feeble means and pre- m
nting an appearance than which moth III
G could be imagined more horrible.
ne third culprit seemed utterly in SC
fferent to his fate, and died with the CO
ng .fi'oid of true Moslem. ~ ~