Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-05-29
The Matter. gain to he Taken Up in the
Erench Assembly,.

French Assembly.
one of the early questions To be dis
cu>sed by the French parliament, says
Paris correspondent. will bee that
referring % the duel> in France. The
question Of dueling in France returns
with every season, but Is this time the
parliamentary committee has voted
against the bill for the suppression Of
duciins 10 has very little chance of sue
cess.
Last year MouScigueur Freppel, Bish-
on of Anglers. representing his parish
I0ucr> m the Chamber of Deputies, pro-
posed to Parliament the adoption of a
severe law with reference % duclS and
ducliSt~. The law was not passed, in
fact received but few votes, and this
year cN-CommuniSt Clu>erte initiates his
colleague. Frcppel. and submits prop
o>itiou that will certainly have the fate
of It's predecessor. ItwOuld Dee sarcasm
ou the part of an assembly over which
nre>ides VI. FlOqUet to pass law pro-
hibiting ducl>. 10 will be remembered
that when VI. Fioquct was Prime Min
I,ter hc measured swords with General
Bou'augcr and nearly put am end 20 the
Generals existence.
VI. Clu>crct is radical in everything,
Jui Boo his explanation of motives de
uouucc> the ''iuiquity of the duclS, '
ridiculcS the adVer>arie> who exchange
uttic balls that are pleased 20 hiss az
them. and adds; To fight is stupid
and proves nothing. OF course. ne is
right. and many Frenchuen are of his
opinion. but the day that one of these
same Frcuchmeu has "a difference with
his ucighbor his first exclamation will
bee. "A duel is the only means of salts
flying my honor
NJ. Cluseret is very emphatic i'm his
deuuuciations of the duel. the history of
which hc has thoroughly studied. In
one of his speeches he said: 1T is not
possible that Republican France,
daugtcr of the people and of the rights
OF man will continue 90 tolerate prac-
lice odi0us as 10 is ridiculous. IL Is not
possible that France intends To return
fo harhari>m. and | believe that SenSl-
blc deputies will vote for the passage of
ms bilL I'm this / propose that he who
challenges shall Doe imprisoned for from
TWO % six months. that the seconds
shall suffer the same punishment, ana
that he who ridiculeS i'm public person
unwilling % fight a duel shall pay line
of from rs 10 200 francs. lie who
wounds his adversary shall be- impriSOn-
cd from TWO 90 three years. and he who
Kills hi, opponent shall not only pay
damages % the family OF his victim, but
shall be imprisoned for from six TO
twelve years. ANY newspaper that pub
fishes an account of a duel shall be
fined from rs 90 500 francs, and the edi-
tor thereof shall De imprisoned for from
SiN DAYS 20 three months.
The French people consider the duel,
am odd tradition. difficult TO uproot. a
bizarre custom, perpetuated only IN
special spheres. The practice Is, IN
deed. d heritage Of the middle ages. and
even the rcvolutioniSts of the'laSt cen
turv. who profeSSed 10 hate ariStocratic
traditions. respected this relic of chlv-
olrv. I'm this day French republicans
are Just IS willing 10 fight duel> as are
royalists and BonapartiSts. But it Is a
tradition belonging only 10 favored
elias, m society; no one ever heorS OF
worhmcu or small Shop-kcepcrS lighting
NIIINtI~. 4 Nf.II fAlNNNNAiA'iN ttA' N't-+eN'
fights, and. If surprised by the police
they are fined. perhaps imprisoned.
Al the present time there is compare
lively little loss OF life from duellng In
France and this may Dee attributed TO
the skill Of combatants i'm the use OF the
sword Only the inexperienced swords
man is liable 90 Kin his antagonist. con
>equeutly the way 20 reduce the evil re-
shifting from dueling is 70 encourage
fencing. 10 is said that VI. tIoquet
could meyer laye wounded General
Eoulanger had no been the General ;
equal ip fencing.
But from the number OF ienclng
schools scattered throughout France lt
would seem that there is little necessity
To encourage the taste for this amuSe-
mcul