The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-13
JUSTICE IN MONACO.

frencn village, but Where ono finds an
absolute sovereign, bishops, an army of
Jesuits and divinity students moro nu-
merous than that of the prince, an ar
tillery the ordnance of which is almost
ritied, an etiquette more elaborate than
that of the Late Louis NV, principles of
government more despotic than those Of
William Of Prussia, and, in addition to
all this, Il magnificent liberation for the
vices of humanity.
On the other hand let us salute this
virtuous peacefully disposed king. who,
fearing neither invasions nor revolu-
tions, rules TRANQUILITY over his happy
little people i'll the midst Of n court cere-
monial, i'll which is preserved intact the
tradition Of four reverences, &c hand
kissings and all the forms observed in a
bygone era i'll tho presence of great rul-
erS.
This monarch, above everything, is
neither blocdthirsty nor revengeful,
and when lie banshes-for he does ban
ish-thc sentence is carried out with in
finite tact.
Is it necessary to produce proofs Of
this?
A pighcaded gambler, after day of
bad luck, lnsulted the sovereign. He
was expelled from the country by royal
decree
For month he roamed around the
forbidden paradise, fearing the flaming
sword of the archangel in the shape of "a
gcndarmc's saber Finally he one day
pluclcd up courage, crossed the from
tier, gained in 30 seconds tho heart Of
tho country and entered the Casino. But
suddenly an official stopped him.
Were you not banished, monsieur?"
Certainly 1 was, but 1 am going
back by the next train
"Oh, in that case it is all right. You
can enter, monsieur. -
And every week he returned, and on
each occasion the same official put to
him the Same question. which he an
swercd i'll the same fashion.
But few years ago serious and en-
tircly novel case arose in the PRINCIPAL
ity.
A murder had been committed.
a man. native OF Monaco, not ono
OF the transient strangers Of whom one
meets legions, but Il married man, in a
moment of passion had killed his wife.
He had killed her without reason,
without any cAtcnuating circumstances
This opinion was unanimous through
out the whole principality
The supreme court met to Judge this
exceptional case, for never before had
murder been committed. and the wretch
was condemned to death.
Tho outraged sovereign signed the
death warrant
1t only remained to execute the Grim
inal But here difficulty presented it
SELF. Tho country possessed neither ex-
ecutioncr nor guillotine.
What WAS to be done? On the advice
of the foreign minister, the prince en-
tered into negotiations with the French
government to obtain the loan of a re-
mover of heads and his apparatus.
Long deliberations i'll the ministerial
Office at Paris Finally they replied and
forwarded minute Of expenses for
moving the guillotinc and for the serv-
ices of tho expert. The total was 1G, 900
francs.
His majesty of Monaco thought that
the affair was going to cost him pretty
dear; the murderer assuredly was not
worth so much money. Sixteen thousand
francs for tho neck of rascal! The
DEVIL
He then preferred the same request to
the Italian government. A king, q
brother in royalty, would doubtless not
prove such Il hard bargainer us "a republic.
The Italian government sent minute
of expenses which amounted to 200
francs
Twelve thousand francs Why, it
would be necessary to impose a new
tax, tax Of = francs head on the in
habitants. That would be enough to
stir up unknown troubles III the state
He contemplated dccapitating the
ruflian by an ordinary soldier. But the
general. on being consulted was doubt
full whether amy of his men had had
sufficient sword practice to acquit them
selves satisfactorily of task demand
ing great experience in handling the
weapon.
SO the prince again convened the su-
preme court and submitted to them this
embarrassing position of affairs.
The court sat Il long time without
discovering any practical solution at
last the president suggested committing
the death sentence into one of imprison-
mcnt for life. and the suggestion was
adopted.
But they had 10 prison. 1t was neccs-
sary to improvise one. a jailer was also
commissioned who took charge of the
prisoner.
For six months everything went we'll
'l.s. .r..f