New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-21
DEPUTIES IN AN UPROAR.
urDT.AM BREAKS LOOSE AT NJ. ROUYIER'S
WORDS
MS STATEMENTS RECEIVED WITH LAUGHTER
AND JEERS-THE LIE PASSED BETWEEN
CLEMENCEAU AND DEROULEDE-
DCELS TO RESULT

CLEMENCEAU AND DEROULEDE-
DUELs TO Result.
Paris Dec 2O-M. Floquct, President of the
Chamber of Deputies, announced to the House 20
dav that he had received an application for au-
charity TO prosecute VI. Rouvicr, eX-Ministcr of
yynonce; NJ Jules Roche, eX-Minister OF Com
ucrce: Emmanuel Arene, Member for Corsica:
Antonin Proust. Member for DeuX Scvrcs Baron
Jan de Sopheyran, Member for Ioudun. and J' scrh
paruc de la Fauconeric, Member for Orne. This
letter. " Foquct said, was from the Procurcur-
General II stated that the application was
made on the ground that the examining magis-
trate in the Panama Canal case had received
many check stubs in which the initials OF Depu-
ties. appeared, and that compromising evidence
against the individuals in question hal been lad
lcfore the Panama Investigating Committee,
vacally as to the part they took in the lottery
issle The application could not be granted with
mt the consent of the House. as the Deputies
under the law wee exempt from certain lclal
proceedings. The Chamber decided that the
standing committees should meet and consider
the application. The sitting was then adjourned.
In the Senate NJ Le Roycr the president, stated
that he haG received demand for the prosecu-
ton of Senators Renault, Albert Grevy, Beral.
Thevenct and Dcvcs for the part they had taken
in the affairs of the canal company. The matter
was referred as in the lower Chamber, 10 the
randiny committees. IN the Senate and the
lower Chamber special committees were elected
70 consider applications of the Procureur General,
and both were understood 10 favor the prosecu-
tion of cx-Minister Rouvicr.
NJ Rouvier appeared before the standing com
rittee Of which he is member in his own de-
fence. He was glad, he said, of an opportunity
70 explain his position There was nothing in the
documents seized TO prove that hc had ever re-
ccived a check from anybody in the interest OF
the Panama Canal Company. He had served inc
State IN high Office for several years ana nc had
always deemed it his duty TO preserve silence as
regards certain facts. The accusations made
against his honor and integrity had relieved hlm
of that oblication and lie would now speak out
in the Chamber without reserve.
BEFORE the Chamber resumed business this state
ment had gone abroad and caused intense cX-
element in tie lobbieS. " Rouvicr was "X-
pected TO refuic in detail VI. Clcmcnccau's charges
as TO the call at Baron Rcinachs house on the
evening before the lattcrs death, and the state
ment Of Ia Lihrc Parole that his initials were
on the stub Of one OF the Thicrrcc checks.
The galleries were packed Deputies who had
intended to absent themselves from the sitting
sn the whole auditorium were vacant. The
report of the special committee, read by Chairman
Alexandra Millcrand, favored tie granting of the
spphcation for authority TO prosecute, .but in
the intense anxiety of the moment it was lardlY
noticed. All waited impa;cn'ly fer tic cN.
ratons OF the accused members Deputy Arenc,
charged by VI. AndricuX. late ircfcct of Police,
with corruption in connection with the lean oi
1855, was the first to protest his innocence.
He made merely general denial
As VI. Rouvier asccnded the Speakers tribune
every ideputy leaned forward in attitude oil
close attention, and the first words Of his defence
were delivered amid oppressive Stiffness After
reminding the Chamber Of his long public service,
his hitherto uneXccptionabc record and the OBJ
legations to official secrecy which I'd previously
closed his mouth, he made an emphatic general
denial that he had accepted checks from the
Panama Canal Company or their agcn;2, or hai
any discredi;able connection Of any sort with fh"
ctmpany's enterprise. Prccn circumstances had
relieved his tongue of the gag imposed upon it by
Ministerial duty, and hn was ready 10 tell tho
whole truth Wien lie came into power he found
that the secret service fund was entirely mad
equate Tor tie defence of the Republic. As in
order 10 govern well he and his colleagues must
have the money which tie secret service fund
lacked, he Lad to his personal friend, for
sufficient noncy TO tide over the temporary dif-
fculty.
The confusion grew seadily in the Chamber
as the Deputies became convinced that VI. Rouvcr
was cyading the issue. Loud murnurs of protca;
greeted his first statement as TO the secret service
fund, and when he suggested that the suspicious
checks contributions Of his personal friend,
10 The support OF the Government there WAS
outbreak OF bowls AMI dcr'iyc laughter Raising
his voice 80 as to be- heard above the uproar, NJ
Rouvier shouted.
What did all public men have done Had
! net adopted that course, 'he men now inter
ruptiag ne would not be seated on thcsr benches.
Eedlam broke Loose the moment the words
were uttered. Deputies rose and shouted back 70
the speaker and others shouted for the names OF
the friends. W. RouyIcr made three Attempts u
he hearG. Lut his voice was iEaudib'c After the
had spent itself, he continued
." aui perfectly ready 10 20 before any tri-
bunal. | have nothing 20 fear. | never derived
the slightest benefit from the Panama Canal
Company. | rcycr defended it, interests chal-
lencr Investigation.
tbs poioratlon provoked another hostile demon
stra,ion When cr,cr had been restored the re-
port oi the special committee in favor of ~"
prosecution was adopted VI. Paul Dcr,nlcdr
then asked what action the Disciplinary Council
OF the Legion Of iouor had decided 70 t0kc
against Cornelius Herr.
"lhis man. w. Dcyoulcde sid, " is not 10 be
left with the insignia Of the Legion in his pos
scssica, 4 though | grant he is 4 most important
man TO the State for he truly holds tie rcins OF
government
NJ Deroulcdc paused for several minutes while
the Right ch,crcd this taunt and tho Left tric1
10 drown the cheers with shouts Of pro; st.
linen he proceeded with perfect cool"csS 20 make
most vrUlcAt personal attack upon VI. Clemcn-
,eau, whose relations 20 N. Herr LIE said,
aie too well known to need detailed dcsrip
ion amid renewed cheers from the Rieit and
oers from the Left he declared that VI. Hers
riei 10 buy The Boulangsts with Panama Canal
norcl. hut they haC refused 10 touch il. Despite
NJ Floqucts repeated protests, cries OF " dissolu-
ton AMI q general tumult which extended 10 the
opmost gallery, VI. DcrOulcdc again addressed
,irs.lr to NJ Clc.uruccay Why ii This Herr