The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-12-18
SUITS AGAINST ROYALTY.
legal Action Against Kings and Em-
perors In Common Law Is
Not TnnabIe.

Kings. emperors, czars ard other
monarchs differ from ordinary people In
being beyond the reach Of what is called
common lawthat Is. the ordinary law
which is binding on their subjects. The
king Of England cannot be sued as a
trespasser or a debtor nor can he be
cited to appear as a witness. On the
other hand, the king is unable to take
any civil action against subject
though he can institute criminal pro-
ceedings against any person in the king
dom, but he cannot appear as a witness
in the case, says the Chicago American.
The other day man was prosecuted
for forging his majesty's signature to
check drawn on Coutts' bank, London,
but King Edward. even If he wished to
do SO, could not go into the witness box
to prove the forgery; his evidence had
to be given through the medium Of other
parties.
Shortly after King Edward. then
prince of Wales, had purchased the
Sandringham estate. a dispute arose be-
tween one OF the tenants on the porperty
and his royal landlord in connection
with the preserving Of game, which
eventually resulted in a lawsuit
There is nothing to prevent the prince
Of Wales, who is a subject Of the crown.
from suing in the ordinary courts OF
law, and this is what his majesty pro-
ceeded to do against his refractory ten
ant The case. however, was settled out
of court, the tenant giving up the
farm. for which he was well compen-
sated
Emperor William Of Germany cannot
appear personally in an ordinary court
OF law. but he can, and does, appear
from time to time through his repre-
sentative.
A couple Of years ago wine mer-
chant sued the kaiser for the large sum
Of sf2. The kaiser had, prior to this ac-
lion. paid the merchant HIS account,
which amounted to some hundreds OF
dollars. less trihing discount, and
transferred his imperial orders for wine
elsewhere
The wine merchant, having lost the
baisers custom. determined to exact
bis pound Of flesh, and sued his late Gus
toner for the full amount due on the
wine account The case eventually went
to the supreme court Of appeals, where
1t was maintained that the merchant
was entitled to his $i2. and this Is al
most unique example Of a subject win
ming case against the kaiser in the
higher courts.
In Russia no one can take any action
against the car unless bic be Of noble
rank. and even then IT Is extremely dan
gerous work for the litigant to proceed
against his imperial majesty. There
are very few instances of such cases, and
they generally result IN the plaintiff
having very bad time of 1t for the rest
Of his days.
A Russi4n noble however. a couple Of
years agn had the temerity to embark
on d lawsuit against the czar In con-
necfion with disputed boundary. which
divided part Of the noblemans property
from that Of his imperial majesty.
The property was situated in Siberia
near some valuable gold mines. and the
boundary line was question Of consid-
erable importance to both parties. The
Russian nobleman not only lost the ac-
tion. but incurred his royal masters
grave displeasure. which necessi.ated
his leaving Russia for some years.
On his return he found that large
portion Of his estate had been confis-
Gated, and was Informed that he had
committed a number Of offenses. which
could only be expiated by the payment
Of large fine, amounting In our money
to some thousands of dollars
Sometimes in England rumors get
about that royalty shelter themselves
behind their exalted position from the
inconyenient consequences Of the law.
Recently King Edward ordered an in
quiry 10 be made into the circumstances
under which a certain royal prince was
said to be connected with the doings Of
a financial company that failed
Two eminent lawyers conducted the
inquiry, and fully satisfied the king that
no legal liability whatsoever was at
tached to the royal prince in question
for the doings OF the company other
wise ii was King Edwards full inten-
ton that the prince should be held an-
swerable In the ordinary way for his
share in the company's transactions.
The sultan Of Turkey can be sued by
any one OF his subjects In a civil action,
but the action must be taken through
minister OF state. This is the letter Of
the law, the reality being that, If any
one attempted to do so. he would
promptly lose his head Actions Of
this sort are, therefore unheard Of IN
Turkey
To Test value OF s1ifl<.