The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
to find the presiding Judge acting as Q

10 Huu INC pI6bluluR Juuko uCtiuB 90
cross-examine the witnesses. but he sub
jects the accused TO similar process, and
does not scruple to express his opinion or
the latter. and even TO strongly conoemn
him. while he Is still. the verdict not hav-
But this presumption Of innocence does not
seem to exist in France. Charles de
Lesseps 10 told by the Judge that
he has been mixed up in dirty job. and
had scarcely begun. This illustrates how
the accused are treated. and another incl
dent in the same trial shows how the
judges may comment adversely, Il they
G @se
celyed the cash voucher for 100000 francsf
Witness-No.
The President-It is strange that you
should not know. lt seems to me that /
myself should have been more inquisitive
than that Laughter.
This though it was funny. was hardly
without bias. and when. at the same sit
ting. this first president of the Court OF
Appeal interrupted another witness with
the remark, that II the Panama company
had never adopted the plan he had suggest
ed to them lit would have been O blessing
TO unfortunate subscribers, some OF whom
were likely to die of starvation" he not
ment OF the case. but went so far adrift
from judicial calmness as to even drag feel
ing into the case. But this Is France. we
must remember. and that is the way they
do things In this country.
IMPRESSIVE MEN.
The French judges, however, are by no
means devoid of dignity. and, excepting IN
great trials, when outside excitement seems
to be too much for them, they aSs not want
ing apparently in judicial repose. To make
the rounds of the different courts in the
Palais de Justice affords you q view of as
fine body of men as YOU could expect to
find any wi here in France. They are hardly
so solemn looking as their bewigged broth
ers over in Britain. but they appear quite
too virtuous to wink at wrong, aud
altogether. in their black gowns and white
laDets, they impress the visitor much
as body OF prim-loOking Church of
England clergymen would be likely to do.
They are seated on the bench In a semi.
circle, the president, of course. in the mid
die. and you notice as you go from one
court to another that In every instance the
president has before him, In u niche at the
opposite end of the room. a bust of the fig
ure Liberty, and behind him O painting of
the crucifXiOn scene. Otherwise the court
rooms are much as you find them in other
cOuntries-plenty of barristers waiting for
briefs, and the usual q um Der of nor bid out
siders, some OF them 80 deeply absorbed In
the proceedings that they are taking q nap.
One feature of the French judicial eys-
TEN deserves unstinted praise, and that Is
the thoughtful regard it shows for those in
limited circumstances. and Its really noble
efforts 20 bring legal redress within easy
reach of the humblest citizen. In regard
to trivial matters. 1t is as much the duty
OF the justice of the peace in q rural town
to settle the differences, if he can, without
allowing the contestants to come formally
before the court. as it is his duty to honor
ably try such cases if his friendly Offices are
unavailing. In higher courts, the Door W ho
find themselves Obliged to invoke the law
are absolved. il they wish to be, both from
cOunsels fees and from court and stamp
duties. Nor is this all. but almost every
where throughout France there are special
courts made up of trade experts and of
leading business men, for the settlement
without delay. and with scarcely any cost,
of disputes between employers and work
men and of the disagreements occurring
between rival commercial houses. These
courts are a great boon and their existence
is another proof. added to many of similar
import that the France OF these later de-
cades, far from being rich mans country.
is one rather in which the workman holds
sway and whose affairs are regulated with
special reference to the we'll being of the
masses. HkNRY TUCKLEY.