Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-06-13
A Fortunate
e @ Crirninal.
A TRUE STORY OF THE PRIN
ClPALITY OF MONACO.
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On the shores of the Mediterranean
there lies between France and Italy
the little kingdom of Monaco. 1t num-
bers fewer inhabitants than large
village-in all 7,000-and is in extent
so contracted as not to boast more than
double that number of acres. But, on
the other hand, it has real prince
who possesses a palace, has court,
ministers, bishops, generals and an
army-not, to be sure, a large army, 60
men, still an army-nor is the revenue
large. Duties are indeed, as elsewhere
imposed upon wine, alcohol and tobac-
co; but, although the people conscien-
tiously drink and smoke, there are not
enough of them, and the princeling
would certainly be unable to feed his
courtiers and himself had he not the
special resource Of a gambling house.
There people lose or gain, as the case
may be, but the keeper always profits
and therefore pays heavy dues to the
princeling He can well afford to do so,
as his establishment is in Europe
unique. Similar places formerly exist
ed in some of the German principali-
ties, but years ago on account of fire.
quent catastrophes they were suppress
ed. A player, carried away by excite
ment, would lose all his own money
and sometimes even that of others and
then commit suicide. So the Germans
forbade their little princes to keep
gambling houses, but no one could for
bid the potentate of Monaco, and that
is why he has monopoly.
Therefore all the lovers of trente ct
quarante rush to his kingdom and for
his benefit despoil themselves. Hon
est toll does not enrich" says the Rus
sian proyerb. The princeling knows
that the spring from which he drains is
impure, but what can he do? 1t would
not be more honest to increase his in
come by raising the duties on alcohol
and tobacco. A man must live So the
princeling reigns in peace, makes mon
ey and, like real sovereign. lives sur
rounded by courtly ceremonial. He re-
wards, Furnishes. reviews his troops.
holds councils and promulgates laws.
just like other rulers, only on smaller
scale.
Now, some years since serious
event took place in the kingdom. A
murder was committed. The inhabit-
ants Of Monaco are peaceable folk, and
nothing of the sort had ever before TAX
en- place among them. The judges met
and. as was proper, set about judging.
All was done according to rule-public
prosecutor, lawyer, jury, long and con-
scientious debates. Then, in accord
ance with the law, they condemned the
assassin to death. So far so good. The
sentence was submitted to the prince
ling, and after his ratification all that
remained to be done was to execute it.
But an impediment presented itself.
The country possessed neither guillo-
tine nor executioner.
After mature consideration 1t was de-
cided that to obtain the loan of mas
terly cutter off of heads. together with
his apparatus, the French government
should be addressed and that at the
same time inquiry as to the cost of the
move should be made. Eight days lat
er the answer was received. The
French government consented to send
the guillotine and the executioner. AS
to the expenses, they would amount to
10000 francs.
The matter was referred to the
princeling. His majesty thought the as
sassin was not worth that price. Six
teen thousand francs for the neck of
rascal All. no, indeed! 1t would in
that case be necessary to increase by =
francs yearly the taxes of each citizen
The people might resist.
A council was held, and it was decid-
ed to address the same request to the
king of Italy France is a republic,
and republics do not respect Caesars,
but the king of Italy, brother, might
be less extortionate. The reply was
immediate. For the consideration of
1900 francs, which would also cover
the expense of transportation. the ltal
ian government declared it's willing
ness to lend the apparatus and special
LIST.
This was cheaper, but yet too heavy
an expense to incur for such a wretch.
1t would still be necessary to tax the
citizens. Again the. council met Al
great length they debated as to how
the matter might be more economically
settled Why could not they employ q
native soldier and behead the rascal
at home?
The general was consulted. He quite
properly might order one of his war
riors to cut off the head, since that is
their trade. and. after all. what else is
war? The general spoke to his men.
but one and all refused to perform the
task. "No, SIR said they. 1--WE have
not had sufficient practice"
What could be doneY They reflected
and yet again held council. A com
mittee was formed. a commission and
q subcommission. A way was found
for the death penalty must be substi'
tuted for that Of Imprisonment for life
Thus the sovereign could display Glenn
ency and at the same time economize.
The princeling approved. But another
difficulty arose. There was no prison
suitable for lifelong confinement. There
were police stations, but no real prison,
safe and sure. However, one was ar
ranged, jailer was appointed, and
finally the prisoner was shut up.
Capital! The jailer guarded the GRIM
inal and every day from the palace
kitchen brought him his meals.
A year passed. The princeIing, max
ing up his accounts, found that the
prisoners support heavily weighted his
budget. "The fellow" thought he, s'is
young and healthy. There is nothing
to prevent his living 80 years, and with
jailer, food, etc., to what sum will
his expenses amount? The thing can
not go on" The sovereign summoned
his ministers.
"You must take measures" said he.
ITO reduce the cost Of keeping that
wretch. He is too expensive"