The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-16
Mr.. VII ON Chinese LAW
Address Before the New York State
Bar Association.
The Foundation Of Statute Frovi-
sions Laid in the Celestial Empire
over Twenty Centuries Ago-An
Outline OF the Code-The Min
lister Entertained in Albany, y. Y.

ALBANY, y. Y, Jan 16.-Minister WI
in the course of his address before the
State Rar association yesterday said.
This statute law of China is the most
important result OF legislation It's foun-
dation was laid over twenty centuries
ago. and since then successive dynasties
have built upon II by addition. amend
menJ. abrogatiOn. and analgamation. as
circums Jances required.
The standard work, which is now in
use over the whole Empire Of China. is
called Ta-ChiDg-LuIi, generally known
as the penal code. 1t contains not only
the fundamental statutes. but also the
supplemental laws It is arranged under
seven headings, namely: General. civil.
ritual. military criminal, and that relat-
ing TO public works. and is subdivided in
10 436 sections. It also contains a colIec-
ton Of important cases which have been
decided By the proper authorities and
approved by the Emperor with ontes and
comments illustrating the practice ana
theory Of the law appended
Minister WI then gave an outline of
the code Some OF the punishments IN
GIcJed Tor particular offences are a fol
lows:
The law provides various degree Of
punishment for man or woman We mar
Ties during the legal period Of mourning
Tor . deceased parent and for a widow
who marrles again within the legal period
Of mourning for her deceased husband. the
period Of mourning in each case being
tween tg--seveu months.
Whoever UaTTies wife or husband,
= father uTrggEE2 her q
grandmother al the same time under con
fueI1eEt IN prison for capital offence.
shall be punished with eighty blows. New
e-JheIess. if any such person enters into
the marriage state at such period . the
express command CT his or her parent or
granGpareut in prison, no punishment shall
eEsue. provided the usual feast and en-
te--al2TnsIt is omitted; otherwise pun
isEmeEt Of eighty blows shall be still in
ficted.
The prohibitions as 10 marriage be-
tween persons On account OF cOnsaEguiGi-
Il and ether relationship are more ma
mercus and general Lnan those in this
country or In Europe.
There is a provision against the mar
riage OF priests. II a Buddhist or Taoist
priest shall marry he shall be punished
with eighty blows and be expelled from
the order to which he belongs and the
marriage shall be null and void. The law
l4JLAtl5 LiEDItE gives I'll J-=liI lL-E
causes: Namely. barrenness. Iascivious-
ness, dfsObedience to her husbands par
EMS. taIkatveness, tnieTeTy. Jealousy and
leprosy-
There IS a provision against mOnopo-
lists and unfair traders. Minister WI
said. There are no trusts in China but
If there should be such I fear the local
authorities viii put them down under
the law
Ex-Attorney General Rosendaie gave
an informal dinner in honor Of Minister
wa at his residence here last evening
previous 20 the Chinese Minister'S nd
dress before 4 g State Bar Association
Among the other guests was Governor
Odell After MIR WA finished his address
before the association he was escorted to
the Fort Orange Club. where al $50 last
evening reception was given in his
honor. invitations 10 which had been ex-
tended 0 the members Of the association
as well as the judges Of the State courts
and OF he United States Supreme Court
There ,sas a large attendance at the
club
Today Nr. wa viii visit the capitol
aud pay his respects to the Governor and
be received by both houses of the Legis-
laturc.