Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-01-07

Twain wrote for the Century a few
years ago a sketch dealing with the
transformation of children as mani
tested in their school examination
/ papers. But it is not especially re.
markable that children should be
misinformed when so many of those
who apply for places as teachers are
equally am. as miscellaneously mis-.
informed. In a western state read
er of teachers examination papers
on civil government took occasion on
one examination to Gull out and pre-
serve some of the remarkable an
swers made to Questions. They are
interesting as showing the state OF
desperation in which they were an
swered and tho darkness that OBJ
tains in places that should be lumi-
nous with knowledge.
One of the questions asked in this
examination was, "What is writ OF
habeas corpus?" 1 will give the pc
culiar answers that were made to
this question:
"Habeas corpus is writ in favor
of defendant which means take the
body to trial unless emergency calls
for immediate DEATH"
! Just what the nature of the emer-
gency would be that would call for
| immediate death in lieu of trial is
not stated. The prospective teacher
evidently realized that habeas cor
pus was an extremely serious thing
and not to be lightly dealt. with.
Here is another answer:
"Habeas corpus is writ issued by
a person demanding all friends and
relatives to act in his behalf when
there is reason that said person is
thought not guilty.
Here is an answer that betrays a
dim consciousness of the nature of
a habeas corpus, as distinguished
from brick house or can of to-
matoes, but that would hardly meet
the approval of the legal fraternity.
Another answer says:
"Habeas corpus is that law which
cannot bring person to trial and
convict him without sufficient evi-
dence that he was guilty." $50
Blessed habeas corpus law that in
sists on prof before conviction. Evil
IDENTIFY this writer had not sc much
conadence in friends and relatives as.
the one just before, as there is moth
ing here regarding general call to
arms. Here is luminous definitions:
'Habeas corpus is an order issued
for person by court as if he were
not living
A satisfying process, surely. An
order from the court, bringing the
defendant from the tomb, as it were,
to rattle his dry bones for judicial
edification. Another writer says: Ri
"Habeas corpus allows person to
go beyond their limits to recover
stolen property in case of war"
This writer had possibly read
something about the suspension of
habeas corpus, associated it in mem
DRY with war, and evolved this start
ling bit of information. 1t is too bad
the length to which a person may
ga beyond their limits is not speci-
fed, as it might avoid frequent and
serious difficulties and complexities.
A trite definition is this:
"Habeas corpus says thing shall
be done.'
A sort of an ipse dixit covering
everything like a blanket. A mater
nal habeas corpus ordering boy to
the woodpile would see stovewood for
the whole winter in brief interval,
This one is longer, but not much
better: 8
Habeas corpus is writ given to
a person who has been tried for
son ething he had done. 1t lets him
GO Free
This writer evidently looks upon a
Eabeas corpus as psalm of liberty,
III. sing guilt of Imprisonment, and
| is the kind of writ many of us might
be glad to know about and employ.
Here is definition that has all the
&, licate confusion of ideas of an Irish
| bt IL:
! Habeas corpus is written order
demanding the presence of any one
in court to- explain why they are not
able to be present"
Surely this proves the sublime
| complexities of the law, when We are
commanded to appear to explain why
we cannot be there. Another writer
evidently thinks Moses invented ha-
beas corpus, for this is the answer.
"Habeas corpus is the great law
prohibiting all unlawful acts and Civ
ing lawful punishments.' M
| 1t ought to be recommended 10
congress to get after the trusts WITH