The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-28
GAMBETTA IN COURT.

His Charge Against Count de Saintc-
Croix-The Prisoner Confesses Premedi-
tation-Sentence Passed on the Rovdy
Aristocrat.
From Galignani's Messenger. June 1871
The anair OF the prisoner, Count de Sainte- Cr0x
who committed the assault on NJ Gambetta at the
St. Lazare railway station. came before the 1ribu
nal of Correctional Police Saturday. The case
was not generally expected to take place so soon,
but as 1t of aogrante delictas there was no
necessity ior any preliminary judicial proceedings.
But few spectators were present and precautions
had been taken to prevent any crowdinR OF the
Court; the guard had been doubled and only per.
sons having business were admitted.
WHAT THE PRISONER SAID
The prisoner on being questioned did not con-
test the charge or assault as regarded M. Gam
beta, but denied all intention or striking M.
Ordinaire. He acknowledged that he had been
condemned, when private in the marines, to five
years Imprisonment for menacing petty offlcer;
but, however, only underwent two years OF the
punishment; also that he had been deprived OF the
management OF his private affairs in consequence
OF his habits OF prodiRaity. To questions put by
the Court he said:-I intended to give slap In
the face to NJ. Gambetta but whether 1 did so,
or how l did it cannot say, as ] was in
state OF too great excltement It certainly
my walking stick afterwards In selEdetence.
II NJ Ordnaire was touched It was by acct
dent. AS M. Gambetta was defended by the
police, was forced to make an effort to reach him;
l admit that the act was premedtated; it would
not have happened had NJ. GamDetta acted differ
entity; q captain had called on him the previous
evening to demand satisfaction, but he threatened
TO give MIN into custody.
The Judge--You did not rel ect that NJ Gambetta
is Deputy.
the Prlsoner-He had no right to insult a party
TO which am proud to belong.
The Judge-The President OF the Assembly had
already inflicted him o disciplinary punish
ment.
The Prisoner-That was perhaps sufficient for
the Deputies, but not for me.
The Judge-A gentleman should not conduct
himself Ike cab driver.
The Prlsoner--That may be, but Deputy should
not act as u idcile.
NJ. GAMBETrA's TESTIMONY.
IL. Leon Galnbetta. thirty six years OF age
barrister, and member OF the National Assembly,
deposed as follows:-I was returning from the AS
sembly; on leaving the train 1 went toward the
great staircase leading down to the Place st. La
zare; the exit had been injudiciouslv arranged
II the lateral DOORS had not been closed / could
easily have gone out, and nothing OF this would
have happened; at the moment when reached
the landing place oil the great staircase a man
sprang out or the surrounding crowd, darted
upon me, and struck me In the face; he was ar
1 went and made my declaration, and then
requested to have HIM brought into my presence
that 1 might establish his identity; his bearing
then was that OF man who having acted was
ready 10 begin again he said 50 himself: must
add that the assault was entirely unprovoked by
anything In my bearing or In that OF the persons
around me.
The President aSked:-Was II with his INST that
he struck your
Answer-Yes, on the right cheek.
The prisoner protested That 1T was with his open
hand bat the contrary was satisfactorily estab-
lisned as was also the fact that the prisoner
brandshea a stick, which tel upon M. Ordinaire
when he imerposed TO shield his friend and poiti-
| Deputy Echat's deposition was to q similar
effect, and HI also testified tha OF the three doors
usually lett ohen for exit two were closed, that
The rush was treat through the centre one.
The COUNT DE sAINTE-CRoIx.
". Gambett4s assailant Is man OF middle
! height pale, wAn black hair cut short ana small
waxed mustach\s. dressed in a black frOck coat,
| with decuratlos In the button hole. His name Is
Henri RaynouardCOmte de Sainte-Cr aud he Is
the son Of the MaMus Raynouard de Sante Crolx,
Prefect OF the Etre in 1851 and ever since 1850
| Treasurer Paymaser General OF the Department
| OF the mayenne. HE'S the nephew OF three eminent
| BonaparLsts-M. u SouDeyran, member OF the
Versailles Assembly, NJ. Maaret an ex-ambassa-
dor, ana NJ de Thornny, member OF the trans
ition ministry which preceded the coup dGtdt
Of DecemDer2 lie vas born III 1S40 At the age
OF twelve Bis father sent him to sea as a cabin
boy. For reasons not explained he did not stay
long anoat; but the next stage OF his lie that,
in pursuance tf correctional paternal power, lie
was sent TO the juvenile penal colony OF Mettray,
under the care o, the ate amented NJ. de Metz.
After period OF probition there he enlisted as q
volunteer In the Third regiment OF Zouaves. He
took part In the Italian campaign, and was success
sveiy promoted tC the rank oil corporal ana
ReaDt. he was broken AZ a sergeant, reduced TO be
again corporal all WITH that grade sent to a
disciplinary regimen, In Senegal. There, while on
narade and UNDERGOING punishment drill be NOR