The Sun. — 1858-11-06 (London, England)

FRANCE.  PARIS, FRIDAY.  The Moniteur says :—" The examination of propositions which have been sent in relative to the lines of railway to be established in Algeria is now being carried on at the Ministry for that country. No decision can be come to on the subject, except under the conditions of regular official investigation, which will be open to all bona fide projects. The assertions of persons who endeavour to turn to their own advantage pretended promises of concessions are completely unfounded." The very remarkable address of M. Chaix-d'EstAnge at the opening of the Law Courts is remarked on in terms of the highest praise by the Debats. Every part of the learned gentleman's observations are looked on by our contemporary as exceedingly judicious, and to none is a more unqualified meed of praise awarded than to that which recommends the judge to avoid all demonstration of hostility to the prisoner. The Debats, however, wishes to go farther, and is of opinion that the English plan of not interrogating an unfortunate man, when on trial, might be introduced with advantage into France. The following are some of the observations made on the point :—" If, however, the interrogation of the prisoner be indispensable to arrive at the truth and for the punishment of crime, it must be put up with, as one of those cruel macessities which are frequently imposed on human societies through anxiety for their own protection. Our neighbours in England, however, dispense with that practice, and who will dare to say that thieves and murderers incur less risks before the tribunals of the country there than with us ? They are transported and hanged when necessary, but they are not interrogated, because the law considers that course neither requisite nor just. Silence is the first of the rights of the accused in England when before a court of justice, and if he speaks, the English law requires that he shall be cautioned not to criminate himself. It is, therefore, necessary to prove his guilt by other evidence besides his own ; these proofs it is the duty of the prosecution to bring forward, and whilst the accused remains silent, it is for the counsel on either side to examine and cross-examine the witnesses for the benefit of their respective causes. As to the judge, he presides in the true sense of the word, and watches over the proceedings. No cruel or indecorous dispute can therefore, take place between him and the prisoner, he can neither be the victor nor the vanquished, and nothing occurs to disturb the solemnity of the proceeding. The most serious sittings of Parliament have less calm and gravity than these criminal trials, where the animated struggle of the counsel of the two parties goes on and terminates in presence of the absolute impassibility of the judge, and the silence of the prisoner. This scene, which takes place at our very doors, and may be witnessed every day, mu§t furnish matter for reflection to those who consider as indispensable the active intervention of the President in the criminal proceedings and interrogation of the prisoner. How many prejudices of the same kind have there not been removed by time and experience ! Were not men formerly convinced that torture was indispensable for the manifestation of the truth, and that in order to arrive at the discovery of a crime, the rack was as necessarylas a pen and an ink-stand ? We do not therefore despair of one day seeing the reform which we now recommend made in our criminal laws, and we wait for it with patience, remembering that reforms are as slow and as difficult in our country as revolutions are unfortunately rapid and of easy accomplishment. BOURSE, Nov. s.—The market has been very dull, and prices heavy. A coupon of 20f. has been deducted to-day from the Eastern and the Lyons Railway shares. Threes varied from 72f. 95c. to 73f. ; Mobilier, 915 f. to 922 f. ; Austrian, 657 f. 50e. to 660 f. ; Lyons, 860 f. to 862 f. 50c. ex. div. ; Eastern, 685 f. to 687 f. 50e. ex. div.; Orleans, 1,340 f. to 1,342 f. 50c. ; Southern, 565 f. to 566 f. 25c. ; and Northern, 970 f. to 972 f. 50c. The following were the last quotations :4l per Cents. .... 96 Cr6dit Fonder.... Do. end month .. Belgian 41 . ...... 3 per Cents. 72 85 Piedmontese (5) .. 93k Do. end month.... 73 50 R0man........... 93 5O Bank Shares. 3150 Austrian ........ 47 Crklit Mobilier .. 920 Spanish Throes • • 42 50 Do. Account 928 75 Homo Debt ......