The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-04
EASY DEATH BY GUILLOTINE.
PUBLIC ExECUTIONER OF FRANCE
DISCUSSES HIS PROFESSION.

| treatment of the Condemned - He
Says 1t Is an Act of Mercy to Keep
Secret the Date of Execution-Ob-
IviOn Instantly Follows.
Paris Letter in Pittsburg Dispatch
NJ. Deib.er's resignation and the destruc-
ton of the old prison of La Rouquette
are calling the attention of Paris.ans TO
the guillotine and to the moral and aes-
thetic aspects of public executions M
Deibler has been so long the unpleasingly
picturesque public executioner, and the
little open square in front of La Rouquette
has been so long the theater of his labors
in Paris, that 1t seems natural the two
should disappear together. 1t is almost
determined that In future the cutting off
Of heads shall be done in private. AS to
NJ. Deioler, he recommends to his sue
cessor not to make himself a personal
ity."
1t is easier for a foreigner than for a
trenchman 10 get an interview with this
strange little lame man. The papers
never speak Of him without harshness
and sneering. The public know him and
detest HIM Yet he is a sad, patient
looking man. had received a favorable
reply TO my letter asking for an inter-
view, and 1 had only 10 hand in my card
at the door of his unpretentlous cottage
in the suburbs. M Deibler motioned to
me TO sit down in the little parlor. The
furniture was old and plain, but there
| were Mowers in a vase and colored nrints
on the wall representing marriages. and
| love scenes In the style of fifty years ago.
1 IL Is tranquil here" 1 said
very Tranquil" repeated the public exc
cutloner OF France. Il have always loved
the calm, inc solitude. Z was not born
! for noise and hustle, for competition-fo
business have always been poorly
weak tmid, mild. 1 am lame. | walk
with the aid of my umbrella How So
much weakness and gentleness has ended
IN Inc production of a shedder of blood is
very simple, if you will listen to me a
l was glad to listen.
NO matter what career you follow"
! continued the man of the guillotine '.vou
must battle in 1t for the advancement
No"' am limp every way, actually and
nguratiyely. I would not have succeeded
III painting, IN sculpture or in literature
| position Is conquered 1t is not all said
WIN that, even. 1t must be defended
IN word, there is never any security
| naturally, l was attracted by a trade
mat Is unique, singular, immutable. with
oul advancement or falling off, and the
more so because il was exercised by NV
d"tnel. MY rather was the public exc
| cuuoner, You know. Well, l inherited
| the stigma, the bad name Why should 7
! mol inherit its emoluments and its secur-
| lily! While 1t is not the law. il Is tha
custom My son can relieve me, but he
! does not wish to-.
! Are the emoluments great?p 7 had tho
| presence of mind to ask.
| 'On, they are small-hut S,,ro c,
thousand francs year salary-s1 200 of
1 you money! From time inmemorial
french executioners have been modest 7
I'VE on my 5000 francs, my fixe. AS for
lhe perqulsites of travel and the honor
arlum allowed me for each head cut off
they have permitted me to make few
economies, to furnish this little villa.
! 1hose curtains cost me the head of
j Franzlh. 1t took eight assassins to buv
the furniture of this poor parlor."
You are the executioner for all France.
suppose that you have Travelled con.
| siderably?" ~o4'-
There Is not corner of France" re-
Phed M. Deibler, into which my duties
nave not called me. have tried to nro.it
by my presentations in instructing nv
sen. l always try to arrive in town
tWenty-four hours in advance to vistt fbe
churches and museums"
Here the poor man broke off wearil,,
ana heaved a sigh. Throughout he had
spoken without animation, almost apoIo-
| getically. "p''o
'unhappily,' he said, hesitatingly. "un-
HaPpIy my hotorety always goes before
me- spelling any little pleasure | might
| make myself Even my ashamed nook
Detrays me- My ears have heard so many
insults. l will give this counsel to NV
successor: Do not be lame: do not have
an original physiognomy. And dress YOUR
| self like any one else 1t has been.r1v err
/ 70 10
it has finished by making itself a uniform
l would advise my successor to continual
| ly change his costume-noW a commercial
traveller, now a theatrical artist. now a
travelling Englishman.
l would advise my successor" he con-
unued vehemently, ito dstrust everyone
and to keep out of every body's way. He
should never be photographed. The illus
trated papers will make it known all over
| France. Let him hope nothing and expect
nothing"
Yet" I ventured, ''you yourself are
married, M. Deibler"
"Oh, as for that" he answered, smiling.
you misunderstood me. And 1 am afraid
you do not understand women Yes. [ am
married, and my wife adores mel You
know when come home from an expedi-
ton do not sit down and tell her what
1 have been doing. To begin with, it is
always the same thing. For my part. 1
which excites itself over an operation
whose every step is as regular and mo-
Eotonous as law can make it, Also do
not see how they can pity the HAST mo-
ments of the condemned man. He does
not suffer. Do you think he has the time
to suffer?'
when I come back from an expedition
my wife and have regular formula of
conversation. I say to her, I have Just
come back from such and such a town.
Then describe to her the monuments and
antiquities. When my children were little
they used to ask, Mama, where Is papa?'
She would always answer, Papa has gone
TO the country AT last a day came when
the elder ones did not ask any more. Chill
dren of tact understand certain things"
The conversation was. becoming delicate.
NJ. Deibler took IL on himself.
1.-The thing l have suffered the most
from has been the stupid conversation of
the provinciaGs. In the country districts