The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-06
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
Wild Scene in the French
Chamber.
Sensational Charges Ex-
changed by Members.
A Senator Elected from the
Debate.
One OF the Widest Scenes On
Record.
The Result OF the Massacre a.
Fourmies.

PARIS, May At was announced yes.
terday that a section Of the left would Join
with the socialist and Boulangist deputies
in demanding q vote of censure today
against Nj. Constans, the minister of the
interior. on the ground that the latter was
responsible for the slaughter of the men,
women and children shot down by the
troops at Fourmies On labor day. NJ.
Constans today, after replying in explsns-
tory terms to a question as TO the Four.
mics affair and giving his version of the
matter, holding that neither the govern
ment nor the troops were to blame for the
disaster, was astonished to see NJ. Roche,
the deputy representing the Seventeenth
electoral district of the Seine, spring to
his feet and shout, Murderer"
A tremendous sensation followed. Mem.
bers shouted at and threatened each other
vigorously. Finally order was restored
and the chamber voted that NJ. Roche
should be excluded from any further par
tcipation in today's session, and that he
should be declared censured by the cham.
Der for the term he had applied to the
minister of the interior.
No sooner was this course of action de-
cided upon than NJ. Roche again sprang
to his feet. and shaking his fist at Ills as
socrates who had been most active in
bringing about his proposed expulsion and
censure, the angry deputy yelled:
you are lot of varlets worthy OF your
masterl"
This was more than the presiding officer
could submit to, so be ordered NJ. Roche
to be removed by force from the chamber.
This was eventually done amid one of
the widest scenes ever witnessed in the
chamber of deputies.
The excitement began with NJ. Dumays'
interpelating the government in regard
to the Fourmies riot. He threw the en-
tire blame for the trouble upon Minister
Constans.
NJ. BOYER, in supporting NJ. Dumay,
commented upon the brutality of the
official instructions.
NJ. Roche said he had inquired into the
cause OF the riot and had found that inn
mediately after a stone had been thrown,
without summoning the people to disperse,
the troops opened fire and continued fir
ing for four minutes. There were more
soldiers than people in the streets and the
troops were made to act the part of BUTCH
ers of women and children.
At this point vehement protests were
raised and VI. Roche was called 10 order.
VI. Constans denied the accuracy OF VI.
Roche's statement. A mob of 1000, said
the minister. received the soldiers with
shower OF stones One officer was knocked
down and the rioters were on the point of
forcing their wav through the troops when
the commander called upon them TO keep
back. The summons was unheeded and
the commander then ordered his men TO
fire into the air. This, however. had no
effect and he then ordered the soldiers to
fire point-blank. The soldiers obeYed,
and the result was the killing OF seven
persons and the wounding of fourteen.
Soldiers, added the minister, had q
right TO use their arms when in danger.
The conduct of the army and the police
throughout France on May day had
checked serious social disorder
NJ. Roche at this point-"Murderer."
A number OF members Immediately
arose and protested against NJ. Roche's
language, ard the president ordered that
the offender be temporarily expelled
Quiet having been restored, NJ. Milleraud
demanded that a committee be appointed
to inquire into the Fourmies riot.
Mr.. De Freycinet, premier and minister
of war, opposed the motion. He said the
government was not Indifferent 1t did
not desire TO set up q barrier OF arms
against political and social claims. It
would rather cooperate with parliament
TO improve the lot Of the working classes.
[Applause.
The chamber of deputies, by q vote of
$50 TO 33, passed g resolution declaring
confidence in the government.