Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-01-14
SENT OFF TO SIBERIA.
Long Suffcrings of the Cars Sub
iccts who arc Doomed to Exile

ire in most countries, and the people
Who commit. offences against The crown
arc more desperate and determined than
hey uso,l to b.. Still there are many
patriots with families who prefer death
% life exile in Siberia, for in many III
stances the family will not accompany
he exile: and since Siberian exile Is
legally deal and his wife is instantly al
owed to reinarry, tho lot is q very hard
one.
Usually when suspect is placed on
examination or trial and is permitted to
make n defence, he employs his attOr-
ncv under n contract like this: II sen.
fenced to Siberia the fee shall be 1000
rouhlrs; if only u years Imprisonment,
5000 roubles; if acquitted, 10000 ro'i-
bics. The trials are then conducted
..nder tho principle Of the Russian
provcrb: "The cause is decided when
tho Court receives present" Thus
the Success of the lawyer depends upon
his ability in pleasing the Judges taste
in present giving. 1t is not once in
twenty times that II prisoner suspected
of crime against the crown is acquitted.
The exile who can afford to do so
and there are many persons OF wealth
and infiuence who thus meet imperial
;Jntcmpt-cquips his own private cara
van, has livcrieI or special guards,
passes through the village on the way,
faring sumptuously, Cor he has certain
time in which to report to his Office, and
makes of usually sad journey one not
altogether devoid of pleasure. Tho
poor man or woman, however, is chained
to the string of convicts, loaded into
richcty vehicles mt the end of the rail or
water trip, and numbers along like
funeral procession, going around settle
ments, and seldom being allowed
stop. Their fare is salt meat or fish,
black bread, and tea. Patriots, con-
spirators, thieves, murderer, and per
sons convicted of every crime, are linked
together, travel Oh tho same levR, fare
alike, sing tho same songs if they do
not have the same thought, and occupy
the same country for life.
1t is generally believed, outside of
Russia, that all Siberian exiles are re-
quircd to work in the mines. This is
not true. Only portion are sentenced
to the mines-those who are condemned
to hard labor. Exile in Siberia means,
MS general rule, only enforced life in
certain expanso OF country. The Gov
ernmcnt allows pension to the exiles
sufficient to scantily clothe and feed
them. The allowance Is about six rOu-
bles month, or less than 80. This will
procure place to sleep and coarse food.
Once hero, it is next to impossible to
80,
landed in the heart of !, wild country,
surrounded by wild animals, little or no
civilization, and it is out of the question
to think of escape, even though the exile
is provided with food and raiment for
the long journey.
Once in Siberia the exile is the same
rs in Jail, with the exception that he has
open air and plenty of room in which
to move. Inasmuch Us no firearms, ex
cepting those i'll the possession of the
officers, are allowed in the country, and
the colonies are kept small, it is not now
possible for II successful uprising. II
the exiles were permitted to cOmmingle
freely, get together, ana had IN OppOr
tunity to organize, even without arms,
they would make frequent trouble, for
they are generally in desperate frame
of mind. In the first place, the bulk of
exilcs are persons who have offended the
throne, and they are moved to the Of
fence through n desire to check the
WRONGS against the people. They are
frenzicd by despotism. People of this
character have no regard for life and no
fear Of death.
Quite as many army and other officers
are stationed in Siberia to guard the ex-
lies as are in the military and naval SER
vices of the United States. So extreme
have been the punishments of the ex-
lies, and SO unjust, and SO many inno-
cent persons have been exiled that many
of the Government officers are becoming
disguised. Should Russia become en-
gagged in war which would lessen the
Siberian forces sufficiently to warrant
an instruction it would surely come,
and the system, of exile would he no
more. 1t is maintained because it is
dreadful mode of punishment, and en-
ables the Government to drag net many
of its subjects and suppress oil open
dissatisfaction Mt comparatively small
expense. 1t would require an cnorm-
GUS outlay to provide prisons for the ex-
lies. As it is, they are dumped into
country they cannot leave, where they
arc safe, and given a pittance to exist
upon. Their mode of existence must
be provided by themselves.
American and English excurslOnists
sometimes extend their trips to South
crn Siberia, and have pleasant jour
ney. Here the climate is very like that
in Finland and old Russia. Towns,
small cities, and beautiful residences
are seen. In places there is active life
and enterprise, the offsprings not only
of the better class of exiles, but immi-
grants.
Some very affecting scenes are wit
messed at the departure of colony of
exiles from Moscow. From there they
start upon their journey every Sunday
afternoon. Those not found guilty of
the most heinOus offences are permitted
to go about i'll preparation without the
presence of an officer. There is no dan
ger of escape, for it is almost impossible
to elude the officers. and an attempt to
escape means death. The prisons are
on Sparrow hills, where Napoleon army
bivouackcd The families and friends
of the cxiles arc present. There is wall
ingan moaning and floods of agonizing
tears. Mothers, wives, fathers, broth
ers, sisters, friends and kindred remote
assemble and bid the same farewell
criminal receives when he marches to
the scaffold. There are frequent bap
'isms and blessings from the pri~sts.
When the exile looks hack upon the
spires, steeples and domcs Of Moscow
he bids the world adieu, as did the
condemned who passed over the Bridge