The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-29
HOW LAW IS DISPENSED IN RUS
STA.

"V ~ AsA w 10 ENSLD IN EtUSS
STA.
The peasants had discovered that they
could not support themselves and pay their
takes from the land ceded to them, and
had accordingly consented to till the pro-
prietors' fields for moderate compensa-
ton. "fhese two years." said Karl
karlitch to me, with an air of honest self
satisfaction, II have been able, after pay
ling all expenses to transmit little sums to
| he young master in st. Petersburg. 1t
was certainly not much, but it shows that
things are better than they were. Still it
is hard uphill work. The peasants have
not been improved by liberty. They now
work less and drink more than they did in
the times of serfage; and if you say a
word to them they'll go away, and not
work for you at ALL" Here Karl Karlitch
Unidentified himself for his recent self
control in the. presence OF. his workers by
using series of the strongest epithets
which the combined languages of his ma
tive and of his adopted country could sup
ply. "But laziness and drunkenness are
not their only faults. They let their cattle
wander into our fields, and never lose an
opportunity of stealing firewood from the
forest" "But you have now for such
matters the rural justices of the peace,'
! ventured to suggest. '"rhe justices of
the peace!' Here Karlitch
used an inelegant expression, which
showed plainly that he was no unqualified
almirer of the new judicial inst ions.
"What is the use of applying to JUS
tices2 The nearest one lives 8. miles
off; and when go to him he evidently
tries to make me lose as much time as
possible. am sure to lose nearly a whole
day, and at the end of it may find that /
have nothing for my pains. These JUS
tices always try to find some excuse for the
peasant; and when they do condemn, by
way of exception, the affair does not end
there. There are constantly number of
petifoggng practitioners prowling about
for the most pant rascally scribes who have
been dismissed from the public Offices for
pilfering and extorting too openly-and
they are always ready to whisper to the
peasant that he should appeal. The peas
ant knows that the decision is just; but he
is easily persuaded that by appealing to
the Monthly Sessions he gets another draw
in the lottery, and may perhaps draw
prize. He lets the rascally scribe, there
fore, draw up an appeal for him; and re-
ceive an invitation to attend the Session Of
Justices in the district town on a certain
day. 1t is good fve-and thirty miles to
the district town, as you know; but I get
up early, and arrive at eleven o'clock, the
hour stated in the official notice. A crowd
of peasants are hanging about the door of
the court, but the only official present is
the porter. inquire of him when my
case is likely to come on, and receive the
laconic answer: How should l know 2
After half an hour the secretary arrives.
l repeat my question, aud receive the same
! answer. Another half hour passes, and
one of the justices drives up in his taran.
tass. Perhaps he is glb-tongued gentle.
| will commence at once: Sci tchas Sc
! tchas!' Don't believe what the priest OF
| dictionary tells You about the meaning o.
3 that expression. The dictionary will tel
) you that it means immediately but that'
all nonsense. In the mouth of q Russian
it means in an hour next week, in {
: year or two,' never Like many othe
= words in Russian, sci chas can be under
f stood only after long experience. A secon'
r justice drives up, and then d third. NJ
more are required by law, but these gen
tlemen must first smoke several cigarette
!. aud discuss all the local news before the,
ID begin work. At last they take their seat
:, on the bench "a slightly elevated platform
J, ut one end of the room-behind a tabl
= covered with green baize, and the pro
ceeulnBs coHineuce. NY case ID sure
1t be pretty far down on the list-the seere
l. tary takes, believe, malicious pleasur
" y in watching my impatience-and before
8 is called the justices have to retire at leas
= once for refreshments and cigarettes.
have to amuse myself by listening to til
other cases, and some of them, l can as
ia sure you, are amusing enough. The wall
y of the room must be, by this time, prett
t. well saturated with perjury; and many c
70 the witnesses catch at once the infection.
. -IYailace'S Russia.