Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-28
A TuniSian Court.

In Tunis, the highest Judge in the
land is the Bey himself. The subor-
dinate Judges are the commanders of
towns and the Governors of provinces.
IF person is dissatisfied with their
Judgment, he may appeal to the Bey.
If two persons wish dispute decided,
and are unwilling to trust the town
Cadi, they may travel to Tunis and
bring their case before the Bey.
Strange as it may seem, the Tunisians
prefer single Judge to several, as they
have only to bride one instead of two or
more. The ambition of Government
servants is to become Judge, as then
they may secure large income from
brides, and are saved from falling into
the hands of other Judges who would
fleece them.
Every Saturday morning the Bey
holds public court in one of his palaces,
and is then accessible to the lowest of
his subjects. Any one may present his
grievance before his sovereign with the
knowledge that the Bey will do him
Justice, as we'll as his wisdom will
permit.
A traveller, who saw the Bey admin
lister justice, describes the litigants as
showing the greatest confidence in his
judgment. The scene, as photographed
by the foreign visitor, recalls the Biblical
days, when the Judge sat on the gate
and heard the cause Of the oppressed.
The Bey sat on gilt throne of red
velvet, which stood on raised dais, at
one end of the judgment hall. On the
left were the Princes of his House; on
his right were placed the Prime Minis
ter, the Generals, the chiefs of minis
terial divisions and the clerks of the
court. In the background was a COM
pany of his body-guard.
A Colonel of gigantic size the Chief
OF the Police-stepped into the open
space in front of the throne. Address
ing himself to the waiting crowd with
out, he called out in loud voice:
"The Prince salutes you and is here to
render justice"
An officer handed the Bey pipe, a
servant Lit it, and then the first two liti-
giants were brought forward. They
stood about eight feet from the throne,
bowed low and touched their chests
with crossed hands.
First the one spoke, then the second
defended himself, whereupon both
talked SO violently and with such wild
gestures. that the Colonel had to stop
them
The Bey murmured few words, the
two men bowed low and walked away.
Others came forward, the proceedings
were repeated; some behaved quietly.
while others screamed. After each de-
cision there was greater noise. The
parties beat their arms, and were only
restrained by the soldiers from throw.
ing themselves at the Bey's feet.
The visitor expressed establishment al
the demonstration. "You don't under.
stand these good people" said the dra.
CONAN what they say is their express.
ion of thanks for the Bey's justice, in
which both the accuser and convicted
one join"
The sentences ordered by the Bey
were fines, imprisonment, and the basti.
nado.
The last case was that of a murder
committed by two Bedouins, father and
son. They were brought in with then
hands tied. On their pleading guilty.
the Bey emitted thick clouds of smoke.
hesitated, and at last lifted his right
band slowly, with the palm downward
Suddenly he turned it upward-it was
the sentence of death.
Without word being said, the muir.
derers were taken away by two police.
men, and the Bey, evidently much
moved, rose, bowed and left the hall
1t is said that he rarely pronounces the
sentence of death. and when compelled
to do so spends the day alone and in
prayer.