New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-20
STRUCK BY NJ. CONSTANS.
EXCITING SCENE IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER
OF DEPUTIES.
FACE-THE RESULTING DISORDER GIVES
OCCASION FOR TWO DUELS


OCCASION FOR TWO DUELS
Paris. Jan 10.-Thc Chamber of Deputies to-
day was the scene of unusual excitement At the
opening of the sitting President Floquet announced
rbat he had received an intimation from a Bouang-
ist member, W. Laur, that he desired to ask Pre-.
mier de Freycinet what steps the Government
would take regarding the Intransigants' at
tacks upon a certain member of the Cabinet.
W. de Freycnet said that it clear that the
object of the question was to have newspaper ar
ticles read from the tribune rejecting upon the
Government, and he therefore declined TO discuss
the matter (ChecrS)
Several members spoke in favor of the previous
question. Others opposed the shelving of the
matter, reminding the House that the President
had recently decided that every member had
right TO he heard on question not relating to the
foreign policy of the Government, and maintaining
that the House ought not to the previous QucS
ton when il was of sheltering a member
of the Cabinet. (Hsses)
AS NJ. i.aur was leaving the tribune NJ
Constants toward whom the insnuatons were di-
rcted. suddenly advanced and struck him in the
face.
There was an uproar Immediately. The Govern
ment supporters wildly cheercd VI. Constans while
W. LaUr, surrounded by friends was led to his
seat. NJ. Constans, on returning To his place,
warmly congratulated, many Deputies hurrying
10 his side TO shake hands with him. Meanwhile
President FlOquet vainly rang his bell in the effort
restore order, and finding that his warnings were
disegarded, finally adjourned the sitting. lie
advised the memhers 10 retire TO the committee
rooms. but many OF them persisted in remaining in
the Chamber, and there was no abatement in the
camor
Various groups of Deputies became engaged in
". Delpcch, Republican member, cuffed the ears
of Deputy Castelin, a Boulangist As the result
of this act OF violence VI. DumOnteil waited on
NJ. Delpech in the lobby to arrange for a duel
with Caselin. At this juncture there was another
row, resulting bn arrangements for another duel.
which il was settled should preccdc that between
VI. Castelin and W. Dclpech. About the same
time also in the lobby, well known journalist
struck VI. Boudeau. Boulancist member Other
personal encounters being immii eat in the Chamber
and in the lobbies, the qucStcurs interfered.
and, having requested the Deputies to diepersc.
cleared the Hobbies.
NJ. Tloquet afterward conferred with Premier
&c Freycinet and other Ministers, and with the
officers of the House, on the question whether or
not the rules of the Chamber applied to the case
OF NJ. Corstans, who is member Of the Senate.
Later on the Interrupted sitting was resumed
VI. Constans, on entering the Chamber. was greeted
with cheers. lie responded by expressing his
satisfaction al the sympathy shown him in the
Chamber, adding that it was sometimes impossible
10 retain ones GOODNESS.
motion to consider the previous question was
then agreed upon by vote Of 43S TO "A.
1t is believed that the BOulangist attack on
NJ Constans prearran9ed with the object Of
getting The IntranSigeant' attacks read from
the tribune and published in the Official journal
A majority of the Deputies evidently heartily
approve of NJ. Constafs's action. II. Laur
has telegrophed Henri Rochefort. the Boulangist
leader asking for advice as TO whether he
shall challenge VI. Constans TO a duel
The members Of the Cabinet support VI. Constans
A rumOr that lie had resigned the portfolio of the
Interior proves to he without foundation.