New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-05

the next night, calling on God 20 judge between
them he sent for the dust that had soaked up
the blood Of his victim and rubbed himself with
it as a penance. There was a CataIouian slave
of his whose good work. good temper and sin
cerity so impressed Ismail that he sWore that
ne would make him present every time he saw
him Maestro Guam would ask sometimes for
the lives Of Christians condemned 10 dea.h. ard
while Ismail often granted the favor, it is sid
that when ne was resolved on the death Of a
captive he would order the doors Of the palace
to be closed. lest his slave should appear in time
to deprive him of the blood he craved- Also
and here is the most striking point u alI-IsnaiI
seems to have been the kind OF ruler that Morocco
needed a fact which throws sinister light
the MOors as a race. He right when he
said II rule brutes." Mr.. Meakn observes that.
Notwithstanding his tyranuical behavior and
wholesale butcheries. he succeeded in making
his power so thoroughly respected that public
/ life and property were never more secure than
under his rule. While during his lifetime not
a human being in Morocco failed 20 tremble at
his name. it is strangely significant Of the real
tendency OF Islam that Isnail IS remembered by
/ the MOOrs of to-day. not as the tyrant. but as
| the great and religious Sultan" He had a
mania for building, and it is said that when he
made his daily walk around the works he would
kill man from time 10 time in order TO keep
the rest inspired with proper feeling. His
w0rkmen. he said were like rats IN bag. which
he must perfOrce keep shaking lest they should
| gnaw their way out The rats have HiIder
master now. but they are Still rats. Fl Yazeed
laid it down a principle of government that
| "a Moorish Sultan should keep a continuous
| stream OF blood from the palace gate TO the city
/ that the people might live in awe" Fl Yazeed
died little more than a hundred years ago.
Mr. Meakin brings his record down 70 the
present day, and while he commentaries
far less sanguinary period in dealing with mod
ern Morocco. he shows by his picture of The
Moorish character that the utmost severity IS
needed for the proper administration OF the
country. The present administration is highly
improper, since it does nothing 10 reform the
great body OF officials whose corrupt practices
hold the people in something very ike bondage
The divers governors appointed by the Sultan
retain his favor by sending gifts, and they are
left pretty much TO themselves in raising the
| wherewithaI TO pay this tribute. If the Sultan
were inclined to be more civilized his minister's
would still see to it that the ancient practices
were continued governor who has failed TO
present himself for some time is summoned be-
fore the Throne. and if he is unable TO satisfy
the demands made upon him he will either be
imprisoned while his possessions are cOnfiscated
or he will be put out of the way with poison
Mr.. Meakin gives this account OF the grievOUs
situation OF the MOOrs:
All sorts OF pretexts and false charges are en-
iployed to bring the wealthy. unprotected peO-
pie within their grasp (that OF the ministersl.
and often such are even tortured to extOrt sir
riches from them. SO that every one who can do
so secures by payment the protection OF some
high authority at Court. that of a foreign
merchant. whose agents are protected by treaty
from all unjust claims Besides all this irreS-i-
lar taxation there recognized gate 1uaS
market taxes customs duties and gate tolls
all collected by special officials. or sometimes
| farmed out
Morocco is one of the most picturesque coun-
tries in the world. and the surface there IS
an engaging simplicity about the life For ex-
ample. when a governor holds court he sits in
any convenient public place. on his doorstep in
the stable in niche beside the city gate
But he is foolish who approaches the
seat of justice without a gift for the Judge
The scene is a confusing one All before the
judge talk at once. addressing him exchansing
abusive epithetS swearing and sesticulating
But beneath it all there IS a certain cool dead
illness about the proceedings, which are destined
to move steadily toward the end that has been
settled beforehand by the passing OF cash or
its equivalent from hand to another No
man knows when he may be hailed before the
| for the complainant to request the defendant
| in the presence of witnesses 70 attend before
such and such authority. or 10 apply Tor a
policeman to be sent to fetch him. which is done