Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-01-26
The Part the Bamboo Plays in Chinese
Justice.


Justice.
John M. Francis writes from Shay
hal to his paper, the Troy Times, an in
teresting account of his observations
among the Chinese. One of his most
interesting experiences was visit to
the Chinese court, where magistrate
was dispensing justice to criminals.
Prisoners who were arraigned prostra-
ted themselves upon their lances be-
fore him, and were allowed to make
their statement in self-defense. The
magistrate only examined prisoners
and Witnesses; no form of oath was
employed. The cases were rapidly dis
posed of some were discharged, 9th.
ers were sentenced to imprisonment for
specified terms. One fellow, who had
to receive two hundred blows
with the bamboo, and to be
manacled and kangued in public
street for four weeks. Then man
was brought up charged with stealing
some clothing. The garments were
found in his possession.
GA professional and confirmed
thief" said the magistrate. The man
made his statement upon his knees and
begged for mercy. The magistrate SEN
fenced him to be bambooed at once in
the court room with three hundred
blows we'll laid on, and to be manacled
for six weeks. The court crier made
proclamation in loud, shrill tones. and
four ictors at once came forward bear-
ing q bamboo stick. The man was
taken by the ictors, placed upon the
floor, face downward, stripped of his
pantaloons, his blouse not being re-
moved. One held him by the neck,
another placed a foot upon his
back, another swung the bam-
boo stick, bringing it down upou
the upper part of the prisoners thighs,
each time striking vigorously In one
place across both legs, and counting
each blow. The ictors took turns in
their work, each one striking twenty
blows, when there was rest Of few
seconds to change off. The prisoners
countenance writhed with the torture,
but it was not until over two hundred
blows had been delivered, and swellings
had punched up more than third of
an inch on the legs, tina. he began to
cry out with pain. The magistrate
frequently commanded the ictors to
gtrike harder and harder, and at the
last the man was nearly exhausted from
suffering The work finished he was
brought up bleeding and with distorted
countenance, the felon's label pasted
upon board and placed upon his neck,
and he was hurried off to endure his six
weeks additional torture.
WHEN the President and his family
visited Utah last Autumn, he was ct
at the Ogden station by Brigham Young
unaccompanied by any of his wives and
children, only one special car having
been provided for tn; occasion. There
was pleasant interchange of compli-
ments on both sides, and then the train
moved off in the direction of Salt Lake
City, Mrs. Grant being seated by the
side of the Mormon Patriarch. 81
scarcely know by what title to address
you, sir, she remarked. well, mad
anne" replied Brigham, 81 have a great
many, please take your choice. I am
president of this church, I have been
governor of the territory, and l was
once general Of the Mormon Legion; In
fact ssThere, that will do, stop
there" returned the lady, general Is
good enough for my husband, and it Will
do very we'll for ycu,' and until they
parted she styled the old gentleman IA
military General Young.