Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-04
THE COHEN co.
TRIAL PROCEEDING IN FRANCE.
Hon. William l.. Wilson Talks on
This Interesting Subject.


LEXINGTON, VA, March 3.-(Spe-
cial)-Presdent William L. Wilson. of
| the university, at the regular Wednesday
morning meeting Of the faculty and stu
| dents, addressed them on the difference
| between trial proceedings I'm France and
in our own country, especially In cases
where the controversy Is between an
individual and the government, as sug-
gested by the recent Zola trial. After
giving a brief account OF the charge
against Zola, he contrasted the judicial
system and mode of procedure of France
with that of England and America. He
said that the French Jurisprudence and
system of laws came from a source
different from that from which the laws
of England were derived. The laws
of France are founded on the civil law
of Rome. while English law grew up by
immemorial customs and usages of the
people, which was from time to time
extended by the decisions of the court.
Although the French system of govern
ment with its legislative judicial, and
executive heads, is modelled after the
government of the United States. ii is
entirely different We hold the Supreme
Court independent, and do not allow it
TO be interfered with by the other two
heads, while the French make the Su-
preme Court subservent to the power
of the Executive. When citizen is
tried before the court for a charge
against the National Government. he is
either acquitted or convicted, accord
ing as it is for the best interest of the
government In France a citizen is
trio or no oriI o. ic
evidence which is admitted by the court
is in the least favorable to the accused,
it is greeted with Kisses from the audi
ence, while the evidence of the Stale
is applauded.
The State summons witnesses to ap- |
pear in its behalf, but will not allow |
them to testify for the accused when it |
is against the best interests of the gov
eminent. In England and America, |
when a citizen is brought before the |
court charged with a crime against the |
State. he is given just as fair and i'm
partial a trial as though it were between |
two citizens. The government is given
no preference over the accused, and thus
the liberties of the English people are
preserved. He concluded by saying that
although France was a republic in form,
in the closing years of the nineteenth
century it was nothing more than
centralized government, founded on the
plans laid by Napoleon.
SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY.
The provincial meeting OF the Sigma
Chi fraternity was commenced to-day; |
delegates arrived by all incoming trains.
At s o'clock in the evening the CONVEX
ton was called to order in the Wash
ngton Literary Society Hall, behind
closed doors A large delegation is in
attendance.
AS spring has set in, egg stories are
now the order of the day. Brownsburg
comes forward with an egg which has
another complete egg within it. shell
md all, thus forming two complete eggs.
Baths has one from an old
,olored woman there named Nancy Step
oe, who set an egg under hen which
lad double yOlk. In the course of |
ime the egg Matched twin chickens,
which are now alive and well. They may
,e seen in the chicken-yard. Timber
Ridge puts up Mr.. w. A. Kinnear's
luck, which lays eggs that are black.
NeXti
PROPERTY TRANSFERS.
Hon. II. st. George Tucker has bought
rom Captain J. Pres. Moore, agent and
.ttorney for the late Robert Norman, 5
f Roanoke, the Col Alto property,
n the east side of Lexington. 1t con- !
aims a large brick mansion house and
,eautiful grounds There are in all forty
ores on the estate. Col Alto was t
he home Of Governor James Mcdowell, I
nd the house was built by him. 1t was O
alter the home of his son-in-law, Colonel
ames w. Massie, and in more recent q
ears was owned and occupied by Judge r
n. Lee, of New Orleans. The price n
aid by Mr.. Tucker for the place was
1000 cash. He receives possession of l
on April 22d. d
The William Houston farm. on Hays |
reek, has been sold to William Il. r
wine, of OtteTbine, Rockingham county, v
nd James Il. Brown, of Brownsburg S
MS county for the sum of $500. Mr. u
rvines secures 172 acres and the large a
rick dwelling-house. and pays $3.50. v
r. Brown secures forty-five acres of
lrming land adjoining his land and pays n
,l25 for it. Three thousand dollars u
as paid in cash; balance in one and two .
ears.
Mr.. j. II. Caruth. of Boston, is negoti- v
ting with the Natural Bridge Forest -
ompany in regard to purchasing the y
atural Bridge property. Mr.. Caruth is r.
wealthy and influential citizen, and If =,
? purchases he will reside there with -
S family during half of the year. "
Allegheny furnace, of Iron Gate, has -
own out for repairs, and most of the u
rec Will be transferred to Buena Vista,
hich will soon go into blast. u
The snow-storm which prevailed here n
Wednesday broke down the wires be- +
'een this point and Collerstown, Staun- al
n, and Buena Vista. dt