Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-18
A PARTISAN BRAWL.
ReociienaTiCs aud Communists Breaking
Each Others Heads.


A Paris special to the Herald says
A very lively election meeting, at which
blood flowed rather freely, took place
at 8 o'clock this evening at the Cirque
oliver. The meeting was convoked
by the amalgamated reactionaries, in
GLIDING Bonapartists Of various shades,
Legitimists and Orleanists. Fifteen
thousand tickets were issued, although
there is room in the circus for only
about six thousand persons. Despite
the precautions taken, large bodies Of
Republicans, Radicals, and Communists
forced their way through the gates and
occupied the seats, The meeting was
presided over by N. Gala, the only
Reactionary Conservative member for
Paris but scarcely had he attempted
to speak when he was vociferously in
terrupted from all parts Of the hose.
NJ. Edouard Herve, editor of the Or
leanist organ, lie .Soleil, next essaycd
to speak. His clear delivery and PEN
etrating voice obtained for him mo-
mentery hearing but scarcely had he
attempted to criticise the colonial poll
cy OF the Republican government when
a terrific tempest arose. NJ. Herye
having described the "grand liyre" OF
the republic as being stained with the
most generous blood of France, the Re-
publicans retortsd with loud cries Of
"Sedan ~ determinations were now
heard on every side. The ebulli-
tion terminated in free fight in the
circus. The reactionaries were strong
est in point of numbers, and the oppo-
sition was roughly handled. Sticks
were freely Piled for at least ten min
utes, and one or two men on the right
of the platform were knocked down
and severely injured.
A Radical, who was standing on my
right, having expressed his opinions too
freely, was set upon by some Bona
partists, who were evidently old sol
diers, and in few moments saw him
emerge from the crowd Of infuriated
beings with his temples cut and bleed
ing. The man exhibited blood-stained
pocket-handkerchief to his fellows, who
loudly cheered him. and he then dashed
down toward the platform waving his
handkerchief in the faces Of the speak
ers. The excitement at this juncture
was tremendous, and amid the cries and
counter-eries there were to be heard
some of" Vire rEmprew :"
| Some Radical reporters in the crowd
headed shouting mob, who cried out
from their places. Down with the
clericals !" and made all sorts Of foul
illusions to persons on the platform.
the police did not interfere, as they
usually do, but they were posted in
great force outside the building. The
meeting broke up before II tonight,
the list Of candidates having been read
and voted. There was no rioting out
side, owing to the attitude Of the police.
The different groups separated amid
the shouting Of party cries. The Re-
publicans and Radicals remained in the
neighborhood, and sat outside the
cafes for a considerable time discuss
ing the events OF the night and in
dulging in cries Of " Vire la Repubh-
qne!"
The police were fully determined to
arrest al persons who might prepare to
make manifestation, and all knots
and groups standing in the streets were
instantly dispersed. The rsactionsries
had borne with a good deal Of insult
all through the evening, and it is proba-
bic that had it not been for the diff |
Guilty Of locomotion in the inside of the |
circles, owing to the semi-circus of |
seats, the fighting would have been
more serious than it was.
The list of candidates drawn up by
the organizers Of the meeting included
the names Of NJ. Gala, an outgoing
Deputy; n. Dufaure, the son Of the
Minister Of that nau'"; n. Delafosse,
NJ. Paul de Csssagnsc, Baron Hsuss-
mann, NJ. Herye, the Due do Padoue,
and. other well-known Conservative
MAKING forfy-six In all