IN THE SUPREME COURT OF ONTARIO
High Court Division
Cornwall Court House, 23rd, March, A.D. 1920.
The Honourable Mr, Justice Lennox, Presiding.
The King v. Alfred Fournier, Junior.
J. G. Harkness, Esq.
Crown Prosecutor.
G. I. Gogo, Esq.
Counseï for Defence.
The indictment having been read, the prisoner asked to plead.
Mr. Gogo — My Lord the prisoner cannot speak English, and would like to haw the indictment interpreted to him.
His Lordship — How old is the prisoner ?
Mr. Gogo — He is twenty years old, my Lord.
His Lordship — Well, any man who lias lived in this Province for twenty years and cannot talk English ought to be deported, and if I had the making of the laws sucb laws would be passed. Any foreigner who cornes to this country to live should learn to speak the English language, it does'nt make any différence how many other languages he speaks, but he should be obliged to learn to speak English. This is an English speaking country and the language should be spoken. Get an interpréter for this man.
The Sheriff — There is a man on the jury panel who can interpret well, he has acted in several cases, Albert Hurteau.
His Lordship — Is Albert Hurteau hère? I would like you to corne hère and interpret for the Court.
Mr. Hurteau — I don't feei that 1 can.
His Lordship — Why ?
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Mr. Hurteau — Because I feel that you hâve insulted me.
His Lordship — How did I insuit you?
Mr. Hurteau — Wcli, 1 am a French Canadian too.
His Lordship — Yes, but j'ou can talk English can you not ?
Mr. Hurteau — Yes.
His Lordship — Well, I didn't say anything that should insuit you, I said that any one who ha s lived in this Province for twenty years and couldn't speak English ought to be deported, and I say it again. People who corne from foreign lands to live in this eountry should learn to speak the English language, I think every one should learn to speak English and it is a disgrâce for a man to live hère twenty years with good schools to go to, and not to learn to speak the English language, it shows that he hasn't tried to learn it, but I didn't say anything that could insuit you, and I would like you to act as interpréter for this man.
Mr. Hurteau — Very well.
This is Exhibit "A" referred to in the déclaration of Daniel Danis made before me this 9th day of April 1920.
Daniel Danis, Geo. A. Stiles,
A. Com. &e.
EXHIBIT "B"
Cornwall, Ont. March 30tb, 1920.
Miss M. L. Sager,
Cornwall, Ont.
Dear Miss Sager :
I understand that you hâve the notes of Justice Lennox' remarks in open Court hère last week, concerning French people who de not speak English. Will you kindly give me a copy of your notes on this subject.
Yours respectfully,
(Sgd) Daniel Dams
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