Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-02-08
IN TURKISH COURT.
PARTY OF AMERICANS HAVE
AN ODD EXPERIENCE.
Are welcomed Into Justice Shop Lo-
Gated on the Site Of solomon's
Temple in the Holy
Land.


Jerusalem recently with a party Of
friends. met with rather novel expert |
ence which viii long remain in their
memory. The party was en- route to the
Mosque of Omar, which stands on the
former site OF King Solomons Temple.
All at once heavy shower Of rain com
menced to fall Not being provided
with umbrellas on this occasion, all
members of the party sought shelter in
the nearest doorway, the door standing
invitingly open. To their utter astonish-
ment they were Unexpectedly ushered
into a room where a Turkish court was
being held.
The Judge was a dignifed Turk, who
wore long black whiskers and had on
long. reddish looking robe, which swept
the floor Although deeply engaged IN
the case that was being tried before him,
the Judge found time to smoke from a
large water pipe, which stood on the floor
near By. His honor was judge and
Jury combined A number Of advocates
witnesses and spectators were sitting
or reclining on mats ranged around the
room. while the judge sat in a high chair
and the lawyer stood while making
plea for his client. With the exception
OF the visitors, the entire assembly were
Turks and Hebrews. all Of wnom wore
long robes. the Turks wearing fezes and
the Hebrews turbans.
The prisoner at the bar was Hebrew;
he was charged with stealing a coat from
another Hebrew. The evidence gisen
in Arabic by the WITNESSES. seemed to
convince the judge that the prisoner
was guilty. as he was sentenced TO nine
months in jsil The trial was just being
concluded when the Americans arrived
on the scene. Immediately the judge
arose from his seat and, approaching in
a dignified manner. offered each OF the
party his hand. saying in excellent Eng
fish that he was happy to be honored by
their presence in his humble court room
lie then adjourned court for the re
mainder OF the evening and invited the
parts 10 remain and have some refresh
ments. For fear Of being adjueged in
contempt OF court they remained viii
him sitting on the NETS on the floor like
thew had seen the natives do. After cot
fee had been served BY the court balm
the Judge asked them where they were
from. how they enjoyed their trip an'
what they thought Of Palestine. They
told his honor that they were from III
United states. had had a very pleasan
trim and admired Palestine. but woul'
like 10 see 1t cleaned up. The judg
stated that the cleaning process woul'
be brought about little later on bu'
like the Biblical saying II was not SAT
10 nut new wine into old bottles for fea
OF breaking the bottles, so il would b
dangerous to put new ideas into prac
lice until such time as his people Ia
time to properly digest them,
In answer to the question how he haT
pened to speak such good English tn
Judge said that he had learned the Enc
lish language from his children, he ha'
, ing II children and several wives. WI
had attended. the American missionar
schools in Constantinople and Ia
: learned the English language that va!
. The Judge stated that although he wa
a Turk and a subject Of the Sultan, !
was an admirer of President Roosevelt
whom he regarded as the greatest al
. lomat OF the age. He showed con
plete set Of the presidents books prin
r ed in French. which he said b. had rea
through several times. He also state
that his only regret was that he did NJ
A have one Of the presidents m ghty gul
s 10 hunt big'game with. Speaking Of OF
s election system, he said that our poli'
: of electing a president every four yea
Il was A bad one. He thought when q
:. United States had as good man
= President Roosevelt that We ought
emulate the example of Mexico and ke
! him in Office for life. He made inqm
as TO how our judicial system was co
,e Quoted. They told him how our learn
Is Judges held court. with the jury systel
n and that they were only allowed o.
E, wife and seldom had as many as II oh
dren. His honor replied that he wou
not like to be a judge in the Unit
States unless he could have all his WV
- -hsfs-,r, Nth him