In every case the complainant was first warned by the Court of what
would happen if the charge proved to be unfounded.
I made inquiries among the people and was told that the law was a great
promoter of peace and good will.
CHAPTER II
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
During the following week I called on the Minister of Justice and
informed her of my desire to learn the workings of her Department. She
handed me a copy of the Penal Code, and I was astonished to find how
simple the course of procedure was compared with that of my own country.
Felonies ranked in the following order: Murder, Rape, Incest and crimes
against nature, Arson, Robbery, Assault to Murder, Manslaughter, Mayhem,
Bribery, Larceny and Perjury. The law held one degree of murder and that
was with malice aforethought, but where a person killed a human being
wantonly, without cause or malice, the homicide was committed to the
Lunatic Asylum, and, after one year's imprisonment, deprived of the
sexual organs, and if his or her conduct endangered the peace or safety
of the community, were to be chloroformed.
The penalty for murder was imprisonment for life, subject to parole
after ten years.
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