The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-12-16
THE PANAMA SCANDAL.
Another Exciting Day in the
French Chamber of Deputies.
CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

Power Defeated by n Vote of 271
TO 285.
PARIs, Dec. 16.-At cabinet meeting
held at Elysee yesterday NJ. Bourgeois,
minister Of justice, announced that he
would oppose in the chamber of deputies
the proposal of NJ. de Boisserin to invest
the Panama investigation commission
with judicial powers. The conflict be-
tween the Panama investigation COM
mission and the judicature still continues
with a vengeance. The members of the
commission acknowledge that they have
received most valuable help from NJ.
Prinet, the judge d'instruction, who has
thrown much light on the transactions
of the company. The lawyers, on the
other hand. headed by the former pro-
curer general, NJ. Quesna de Boure-
paire, and NJ. Derivier, president of the
appeal court, emphatically repudiate the
action of NJ. Prinet and energetically
protest against the violation by parlia-
ment of legal precedents and privileges.
NJ. de Bourepajre was most outspoken
on the subject and even fastened on the
proceedings in the Panama case" lest
parliament should get before the law in
the matter, at ain dangerous popularity
and create precedent for interfering in
Judicial questions which would cramp
the action of the presiding judges.
Excitement In tho Deputies.
When the question can't up in tho
chamber of deputies the galleries were
crowded. Every deputy was in his place
and an atmosphere of intense excitement
peryaded the house.
NJ. Hubbard, member for Seiue-et-
Qise, opened the discussion by calling
for the immediate discussion of the Bois-
serin proposals, and NJ Ribot, premier,
supported the motion. NJ. Brisson, pres
ident Of the investigating committee,
Il owed that the chamber adjourn. The
-vtinmlttee, he said, would have no diff
Guilty i'll fulfilling its task under exist
ing circumstances. If; however, the
Boisserin proposals were brought into
discussion with the approval of the
chamber tho committee would support
them. In the name of the committee
n. Brsson then made an attack upon
ID Rihot and NJ. Bourgeois. Heaccnsed
them of not showing proper zeal in press
ing forward the investigation and of
giving but half hearted support to the
investigating committee
NJ. Bourgeois answered for the gov
ermnent. The ministry, he said, was
determined to bring the matter to set
tloinent, and he stated the reasons of
the government for opposing the Bois-
BeTtn bill. The question was put to vote
amid some confusion, and the decision
In favor of proceeding with the discus
siCn of the bill, in accordance with the
governments desire, was carried by 424
against l22. Immediately after the vote
II was reported that, in consequence of
tins reverse, NJ Brissou would retire
from the presidency of the committee.
h., ~,
Tho way to the consideration of the
Boisserin bill was clear and NJ, Bour.
geois proceeded TO state forcibly the OBJ
jections of the ministry TO 1t. The time
had come, he said, to determine whether
executive power should be placed in the
hands of the committee. The proposal
to do so struck blow at Fundamental
civil rights. 1t would transfer the ex-
ecutive rights in this matter from the
government, which was responsible. to
body which wa%not responsible. Here
M. Bourgeois wB interrupted by repeated
cheers from TIE deputies and the gal.
leries Continuing he warned the house
that they wkre not voting on Il mere
question Oh parliamentary procedure,
but upon n mattH involving the exist,
euCe Of repas-:Can institutions i'll France.
They had to deal with the enemies of
the republic with men whose plan OF
IL WAS W AiibbtIllilhit CEftSt-
leesly among the people calumny and
veuomous falsehoods. If this matter
could not be decided once for all at the
present sitting of the chamber the cabi-
net would resign. NJ Brisson replied
that perhaps the ministry was the power
most inimical to republican interests.
This innuendo aroused a storm of pro
tests, amid which NJ. Ribot rose. 1t
was of supreme moment to the republic,
hA Goid fhot fha uhAt1Il
have the support of the united Repub
licans. The government had decided to
institute fresh legal proceedings cal
culated to throw the utmost possible
light upon the canal compunys affairs.
He did not think the chamber desired to
restrict the functions of government. AT
the same time any cooperation of the
government in the investigation must be
voluntary. The government was not to
be forced. After a few remarks to the
effect that the debate had developed so
TINT it must result in a vote of conf
dsnce Or no confidence NJ. Ribot spoke
AaKcastically of certain members whose
zeal for the integrity Of deputies and
ministers" evidently screened a deep
laid plot. The prosecution had been re-
RHrded by these men as a means not for
holding up to scorn guilty individuals,
bat for bringing into world wide con
tempt the cherished institutions of
France. NJ. Ribot closed with an elo-
quent appeal to the Republicans to rally
round the fl of the republic and stand
shoulder to shoulder with the govern
ment which held the flag aloft. This
they should do for the honor Of those
who, for the last twenty years, had di-
rected the policy of the nation.
ii. Brisson spoke at some length in
favor of the bill. The committees an
thority, he said, would~he weakened if
the measure were now rejected.
The vote at the end of tho discussion
was 211 TO 265 against the Boisserin
proposals. 1t is regarded as tantamount
10 an expression of confidence in the
government
Immediately after the vote the cham
Der adjourned. The confusion through
out the sitting was unprecedented In re-
cent years, and often the speakers were
obliged to wait for the uproar to subside.
Evidence Against the CooIeys.
UNIoETowN, Pa, Dec. 16.-The cases
against Lutte Cooley and wife, their
twin daughters, Haddie and Ida, and
15-year old son, Russell, were taken up
yesterday. There are seven indictments
Against the five defendants, two counts
TO each indictment, charging larceny
and receiving stolen goods. The evidence
against the defendants seems complete.
The case will be closed today.
NUGGETS OF NEWS.
Tho Democratic plurality over the Re