The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-23
DIPLOMATIC SCANDALS.
Instances of Outrageous Abuse of Exemption
from Arrest.

-
Instances of Outrageous Abuse of Exemption
from Arrest.
Special to Chicago inter Ocean.
The publication of the scandalous conduct
of Senior Lamaix, charge d'affaires pro tenn.
of the Brazilian legation, caused decided
sensation in diplomatic and police circles.
The State Department has made demand
upon the chief of police for an investigation
into the facts of the case, including the part
alleged to have been taken by certain MEM
bers of the police force in giving out the dis
graceful facts Detective Cox has been de-
tailed to make the investigation, and is ex-
pected to report in a few days In the mean
time facts hitherto suppressed at the in
stance of the State Department are being
widely discussed connecting the names OF
large number of the members of the diplo-
matte corps and attaches with similar or
worse proceedings. One case in which two
members of the corps grossly insulted lady
near Wormley's Hotel is related. The lady
appealed to a man who was standing at the
corner, and who happened to be police
man in citizens clothes. He attempted to
interfere TO protect the lady, when one OF
nef aSSallantS commenced W abuse MN WIFI
some very profane language. He drew
blackjack, and in defending himself from
their attack, struck one of them on the
head, telling him to the ground, the other
Immediately retreating. Nothing more was
heard of this. Another member of the diplo-
matte corps was acting in dlsgracetul man
ner in a certain locality. When he
was arrested by the police he re-
sisted. and considerable force had to be
used to take him to the station-house, where
it was discovered that he was one of the priv
ileged class. At the instance of the State De-
partment both policemen were nominaliv
discharged though receiving their pay regu-
larly for the two months they were compelled
to wear citizens clothes. They were finally
reinstated on the police force at the request
of the. minister whose attaehe had caused the
trouble A still more disgraceful case oc-
CURED not long since on Pennsylvania ave
nue. opposite Wizards Hotel. A member OF
a European delegation was making grossly
indecent exposure and personally insulting
every passing female. when he was arrested
by a police officer. He pleaded his privilege
in vain. As there was hue-and-cry on the
street against him, and mainly to protect
him from the assault of the crowd which had
gathered he was taken to the station-house
and there released Quite recently two cases
OF drunkenness and disorderly conduct on
the part of persons attached to a legation
were brought to the attention of the police
court. In one case the culprlt consented to
sink his privilege and pay a fine of $40
rather than risk the publicity that would
have been invited by his pleading it and re-
vealing his identity. In the other case the
officials refused to make out the information
against the man on learning his connection
with tie corps An alleged robbery at the
Russian legation also recently failed of in
vestigation and possible punishment, be-
cause no official could be found willing to
incur the condign punishment provided for
taking part in violation of the high inter
national courtesies by issuing a search
warrant The police are constantly ham
pered in the discharge of their duties by
pleas, true or false, of diplomatic privilege
on the part of the violators of the law, in
regulating the traffic of streets near the en-
frances of public halls and theaters They
are openly defied by drivers of vehicles, who
claim to be in the employ Of members OF the
corps--havng to take all manner of abuse
and profanity from negro drivers in silence.
At the marshal's Office is posted a list con-
tanning nearly three hundred names OF
persons who are exempt from any criminal
or civil proceedings. These may not be
served with any process nor sued in any of
the courts for the most fragrant violations of
civil or criminal law. The list includes over
one hundred and fifty names on what is
called the diplomatic list besides about one
hundred and twenty menials of various de-