The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-12-31
SUITS AGAINST ROYALTY.
LegaI Action Against kihEH and Ena.
perora Ia Common Law IL
Not Tenable.

Kings, emperors, czars and other
monarchs differ from ordinary people In
being beyond the reach OF what is called
common law-that is, the ordinary law
which is binding on their subjects The
king OF England cannot be sued as
trespasser or debtor, nor can he be
cited 70 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 witness
In the case, says the Chicago American.
The other day man was prosecuted
for forging his majesty's signature TO
a check drawn on Coutts bank, London.
but King Edward even II he wished TO
do so, could not go into the witness box
TO prove the forgery; his evidence had
10 be given through the medium Of other
parties.
Shortly after King Edward, then
prince OF Wales. had purchased the
Sandrlngham estate. Il 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 lawsuit.
There Is nothing to prevent the prince
Of Wales, who Ia subject OF the crown.
from suing In the ordinary courts OF
law, and this IS what his majesty pro-
ceoded TO do against his refractory ten-
ant, The case. however. was settled OUT
OF court. tbs 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 a wine mer-
chant sued the kaiser for the large sum
OF Sl2, The kaiser had, prior 20 this ae-
zion, paid the merchant his account.
which amounted to some hundreds OF
dollars, less a trining discount, and
transferred his imperial orders for wine
elsewhere.
The vino merchant having lost the
kaiscr's custom determined to exact
bis pound OF ftsh. and sued his late Gus
toner for the full amount due on the
wine account. The case eventually went
20 the supreme court Of appeals. where
Il was maintained that the merchant
was entitled to his si2. and this is al
most a unique example Of subject win
ming a case against the kaiser in the
higher courts.
In Russia no one can take any action
against the car unless he be OF noble
rank. and even then Il Is extremely dan
gerous work for the litienrt to proceed
against his imperial majesty. There
ars very few Instances of such cases. and
they generally result In the plaintiff
having a very bad tire OF lt for the rest
OF his days.
A Russian noble however. q couple Of
years ago had The temerlty 70 embark
on o lawsuit against the cgar IN con-
ncctlon with a disputed bourtsry which
divided part OF the roblcmars property
from that Of bis Imperial majesty,
The property was situated in Siberia
near some valuable rnld mines. and the
boundary lire va o question of eousld-
erahio importance 70 bo'h parties The
Ruslan noblemaH rot only lost the ac-
tion but Incurred hls royal masters
grave displeasurs which nCcessl attd
his ayiug HuFsta for rome years
On his returu be found thnf a large
portion Of his osta.r isg been conns-
Gated and We izforufd ttaf he had
committed g nuu1er cf ofrrscs. which
could only be exf iy payment
Of Q large fine, amcu lrr ln our morey
20 some thousands az dollars
Sometimes III EaeiaHd rumora eft
about that ROYALTY shelter themselves
behind their exalted position from The /
inconvenient consequences Of The law
Recently King Edward ordered an In
quIry to be made into the circumstances |
under which 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 llrr that |
no legal liability whatsoever was at
iached 70 the royal prince IN question |
for the doinEs Of the company. Other |
wise Il was King Edwards fun iuten- /
tlon that The prince should ho held an
swcrable In the ordinary way for BIS |
share IN the company transactions.
Tho sultan Of Turkey can ha sued by |
any one Of his subjects In a civil action.
but Che action must BE- taken through i |
of state This n thc letter If /
The law The reality being that II auy. /
one attempted 70 90 10. he would /
lose hs head Actions of /
this sort ere therefore unheard of ir +
Turkey
To Test vatne of Hins.