The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-02

ing In solitary confinement took chances
and al the risk Of going too far. cheer
fully beat the keeper into insensibility
and so became a Recidivlster. and ell
gible for the penal settlements.
on their landing in New Caledonia
the convicts are first sent 10 the ISL
and OF Nou. where a sort OF detention
camp Is maintained.
The new arrivals are told OF IN
squads OF 20. Each squad f. assigned
20 "A separate house. or more properly
speaking, hut.
Those who have less than 10 years
10 serve are fitted out with red blouses
and green caps and fustian trousers:
those undergoing a life sentence are
furnished with a green blouse and red
cap. while those who have more than
10 and less h 20 years to serve get
a brown cap and green blouse.
when they cave the detention camp
the 'colonists' are put at various sorts
Of work. sucn as house building. road
making or farming. They labor in
gangs. always under the watchful eye
Of an armed military escort. They are
not shackled IN couples. A four-pound
ball with a chain Is attached to each
mans leg.
The convfcts receive wages for what
ever work they may do. One-half Of
their earnings are paid them. while
the other half Is held by the govern
ment against the day when they will
become actual settlers. In this manner
they are provided with capital for .
fresh start in life: farther han this
they can by good behavior earn prize
money.
Unless he becomes openly mutinous.
the convict Il liable to no very sewers
punishment. The rule Is for the lighter
offenses to withhold pay or to confne
him to his cell. Flogging as a regular
method OF punishment was abolished In
1875 by a special decree of the national
assembly. though 1t may still be or
dered In extreme cases, at the discre-
ton OF the governor.
Perhaps the most curious phase of
the life in New Caledonia is the con-
Wet marriages. Just why the French
government hould nave assume the
responsibility OF making matches
among criminals is difficult to say.
Nevertheless its labors in this direction
have on the whole yielded very salts
factory results.
Twice every year a formal notice Is
sent TO the various prisons throughout
Franc where women criminals are Sc
cluded. informing the inmates that any
woman who Is less than 30 years Of
age. and who has served two years Of
her sentence, may ask to be transport
ed IL she will agree TO marry a convict
on reaching New Caledonia. This sin
gular proposition meets with high ia
vor generally. but the clause that pros
pective brides shall have served two
years OF their sentence insures accept
ance from only the very worst class
Of female offenders.
These women-deportees. as they are
caIled-are treated with every kindness
on the voyage out. New outfits are
supplied them and instead of the GUS
tomary dress. they are given neat peas
ant costumes. on reaching the island
they are placed in a house OF deten-
ton. They may be Reid here for one
or two months while the bureau des
menages, composed of the governor OF
the colony. two magistrates. two priests
and the matron Of the female prison.
examine into the antecedents of the
eligible bachelors who present them
selves as candidates for matrimony.
A good deal of caution is usually ex-
ercised i'm the selection of husbands:
as morals are presumably out of the
question. IL becomes more a matter OF
temper and temperance h anything
else.
No man who Is known to rave a
brutal disposition or is a drunkard can
hope TO get a wife.
Queer partnerships are by no means
uncommon. however. A girl who had
been convicted OF poisoning her hus-
1879 e1 AAaNNa ~ n AAa ~ n tAE-
posed OF a wife by the same means.
The superstition probably was that each
was well calculated TO meet and COM
bat the criminal tendencies OF the other.
When. after a proper investigation. IL
has been decided that a couple are
fairly well suited. they are told all
about each other. and then IL they are
agreeable. a meeting Is arranged for.
This occurs in the parlor Of the female
prison, the matron acting as duenna-
The prospective bridegroom IL in
variably a ticket OF leave man, and has
a cottage and land. for no convict can
marry who has not proved his ability
to support himself. IL everything Is
satisfactory. there are two or three
formal meetings: before the engage
ment is entered into. the woman rem
orally visits the home OF her future
husband chaperoned by a nun and in
spects his possessions.
The marriage itself Is performed
with little or no publicity. Once mar
ried. the couple become practically free
colonists. though subject to certain re-
strictions. The full time required for
a convict 10 become a landed proprietor
Is about five years. counting from the
day when he Is granted his first ticket
81 leave. He may then take up any
trade or business he chooses. but he
can never quit the colony.
The offspring Of these singular
matches are compelled TO remain IN
New Caledonia until Of age.
II has CHANGED In quite a number Of
Instances that women sent out 70 be-
come the wives Of convicts have mar
died outside their class and into the
minor official circle. When the hrst
request came from a free man to wed
a deportee. the governor was non
plussed. To grant this meant that the
woman would be restored TO her fuu
freedom. This was one very serious
objection: another was that the man.
when the first ardor OF his love had
moderated. might be tempted to regret
the step he had taken. The law was
laid down that any official who wished
20 wed a convict girl must agree 10 live
subject 20 the same regulations as
those Of a ticket OF leave man.
New Caledonia boasts a climate as
l~.ILchrr ~ I'M ~ Earanna L. Aeallx