The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-09-19
A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
CRIMES AND PuNIsHMENrs AMONG
THE MooRS.
Horrible MutiIation. under the Stu,-
tan's Eye-Ibc fBastinadO-C OnGis.
eating the Goods oe offenders.

n leIucr from langler, North Africa,
says that no words can describe the cru
city and the barbaric manner in which
justice is administered in Morocco.
Like Tunis, there are in Morocco some
days in each week when the lowest and
most humble of the emperor's sub iects
may step before the despot and demand
from him justice against his npighbors
or against government officials. These
public receptions are the most interesting
sight in the capital of Morocco, for they
are always attended by the entire court,
the army, and crowds of people The
army, several thousand ragged, beggarly
fellows with crooked old guns and brok-
en- swords, is paraded in three lines in
front of the imperial palace, forming
square, open on one side. The sultan,
surrounded by crowd of courtiers, gen
erals, and ministers enters the square,
mounted on a magnificent white horse in
gorgeous trappings. An attendant bears
the celebrated blue umbrella, surmounted
with a golden ball, the insignia of
the sultan's imperial dignity. The soldiers
present arms, the official and imperial serv-
ants PROSTATE themselves, and the ccre-
mony begins. One after the other, the
poverty-stricken, Inundated sub iectS are
led before the sultan. lie rarely speaks
to them. After listening to their stories
or to that of the police authorities, he
makes his decision, or prescrbes pun
ishment which is instantly administered
by a chamberlain.
Until quite recently every subject
brought into the presence of the sultan
had to bring him present, according TO
4;
of gold, jewelrv and precious stones are
offered. The poor Bedouins from the
desert bring him sheep, dates, cheese
large pots of butter and other articles of
little value. For the last few years the
sultan has not insisted upon these offer
ings, but it cannot be said that those who
come to him empty handed derive much
benefit. There is no appeal against the
judgment of the sultan. If condemned
to death, the delinquent will be executed
on the spot. Executioners are always
on hand, and the most horrible
mutilations are committed in the
presence of his majesty and the en-
tire army. Decapitation is still in vogue,
but neither guillotine or swords are used.
A common butchers knife or large
dagger does the service slower and more
cruelty, but with effect. Robbery and
theft are still punished by cutting off the
right hand Of the criminal. Eyes are
torn out ears, noses and feet cut off, and
the poor people mutiated in many still
more horrible ways. The detached parts
of the body are thrown to the dogs.
Confessions are forced from the accused
by frightful fortunes, by slowly roasting
their bodies, pinching, stretching and
squeezing, the same as in the eleventh
and twelfth centuries. 1t seems hardly
credible that this mutilation can still be
practiced in a country only "A score of
hours distant from the enlightened States
of the world, where ambassadors and
consuls of all the great nations reside
England wastes thousands of pounds an
nually in her efforts to suppress the slave
trade in Egypt and Nubia, but the car
mage committed daily by the sultan of
Morocco and his dignitaries is permitted
without protest.
The vendetta exists in Morocco. Any
murder committed either Intentionally
or by accident, will surely be revenged
by the relatives of the deceased. Should
they not be able to kill the offender the
authorities will do it for them. Otherac-
cidents which may happen to a Mussul-
man by the fault of another are revenged
in a similar way. San eye for an eve and
a tooth for tooth is still the law with
these semi-barbarans. Every traveller is
shocked at the number of crippies he en-
encounters in every part of the empire.
Mutiny is always punished Ivy decapita-
ton, This is pracsiced TO such an eX-
tent that the traveller often sees a dozen
human heads stuck on high poles over
the gates of cities.
The sultan is not the only one who in
dulges in such cruelties All his pashas,
governors, and caids follow his example
in different provinces and districts. AS
in Tunis and Persia, the bastinado is the
most common punishment for slight Of
lenses. Frequently, however, several
hundred strokes are administered upon
the soles of the poor offenders feet, caus-
ing sometimes instantaneous death and
frequently making cmpples for life.
The favorite punishment with the sui
tan and the pashas is the confscation of
the offenders money and goods. If there
is decision to be given between several
parties, justice is sold at auction. The
party Offering the greater bride
fences against the government are
always punished by taking from the
offender everything he possesses,
whether found guilty or not. Should
any Moorish merchant or functonary ac.
quire considerable wealth, he knows that
he can live no longer in security. The
sultan, master of his life and property,
can take all from him when he least ex-
poets it, and he may consider himself
fortunate if his head remains upon his
shoulders. This is why the whole coun-
try appears to the traveller so poverty
stricken and so destitute of all progress
and wealth. All the money earned in
trade or agriculture Is carefully hidden,
for the least indication of wealth may
bring misery and death upon its posses
sor. His house may fall in ruins; he
will not have it repaired. He may need |
new burnous, but he dare not buy it,
lest he should be thought wealthy He
will never admit his prosperity. He will |