St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-24
Stormy Scenes Again in the
French Chamber of
Deputies.
M. Millevaye Moves q Vote Of
No Confidence in the
Ministry.
After a Stormy Debate 1t Is
Defeated by a Large
Majority.
All Danger Of the Republics
Overthrow Now Thought
to Be Over.

chamber OF deputies today When Nj.
Millevoye interpellated the ministry
regarding advances of money by the
Panama canal company was Of the most
stormy character. M. Millevoye said
that he desired to question the govern
ment as to the facts in its possession re-
latlng to the use of contributions by
former premier from the Panama
canal company. whose corrupt and
criminal operations were now be-
ing investigated. That Ill behalf
of the government, Sa jhed accepted
immediate discussion of the subject.
Premier Floquet hereupOn vacated the
chair, Nj. PaYtral taking his place and
ascending the tribune. There was
hush in the chamber as the former min
lister began his address of eXculpation,
aud every face was turned toward the
speechmaker With the most eager Inter
est. nj. tloquet repeated what he had
already said before the commission of
investigation. He reiterated with EN-
phaSis that. while a member OF the
ministry he has never received money
from the Panama Canal for any purpose
whatever, and he denied any improper
purpose in the insertion of paid pOllt-
Ical advertisements in the press.
A ROyalIst Attack.
Count jules de BerneS, all ardent
RoyaisI, INDUCED in violent attack
on NJ. Floquet and denounced his coll
duct in the alleged bribing of news
papers under cover of political adver-
Using. The count exclaimed:
You not only allow the people to be
robUed of their savings. but you are an
accompIIce III the nefarouS crime"
At this there was the widest excite
ment. deputies stood and waved their
arms and shouted, some in denunc;ation.
others i'll approval of the language used
by Count de BerneS. When order had
been restored III some degree. NJ. Mile
VOye arose and diVulged III violent at
tack Oh Nj. RouVler. MlllevOye was re-
peatedly applauded by the Bouiang SITS.
ROyaliSts and lmperiailStS, but IL was
evident that a fewer Republicans were
not Inclined to JON in adding 10 the ex-
element.
M. Rouyier then arose to make an eX-
PLANTATION and defepSe of mis- conduct.
He said that, at the time of the Bou-
langlst agitation, certain people had
lent to the government $4,000 to 100000
francs to supply pressing want or
secret service funds to keepup the night
against Boulanger, and prevent him and
his followers from carrying out their
schemes against the republic. II
never" added Nj. ROuvier, ''had any
thing TO do with the Panama Canal
company, and never attempted to con
troll the press. and when Baron Reinach
offered to help the government L re-
fused TO accept his assistance" Nj.
Rouvier added warmly: Il always up
held the flag of parlamentarsm and OF
the republic, and | always will"
RilIevoye's Reply.
M. Rouvier was still in the aisle when
Millevoye stepped into the speakers
tribune The first words of the Boulang-
list deputy showed his purpose to pre-
cipitate crisis Immediately. He spoke
briefly, but violently. The present
cabinet, he said, was trusted neither by
the people nor their representatives.
Both representatives and adherents
were in the shadow of fatal suspicion.
Men chosen to serve the high
interests of France were falling daily
under charges of msrepresenting those
interests. The time had come for an
appeal to the preference of the electors.
Applause on the right and disorder on
the left On behalf of those who had
the honor of France at heart he de-
manded dissolution. At this point up
roar on the floor interrupted M. Mile
voye, and he stood silent until the
cheers and shouts had subsidized. Then
he moved vote of mo confidence"
AS he left the tribune there was lit
tie demonstration and NJ. Ribot. the
premier, rose to defend the government
amid profound silence. The purpose
of Milevoye, he said, was apparent to
all. He intended to unload scandal
after scandal upon the government un-
til he wrecked it. The cries of Bou-
langists greeted this statement, and
Millevoye shouted: 1.-THE facts will suf-
fee to wreck it when all is known"
m. MilIevoye." continued Nj. Ribot,
sis attempting to bring to trial not indi-
viduals but the republican institutions
of France. His attack was directed not
against the cabinet, nor against those
persons charged with corruption, but
Against National institutions
which had been built by the labor and
self-sacrfice OF devoted patriots. The
plotters against the republic should not
delude themselves with the idea that a
dissolution would accomplish their
ends. for the people knew their enemies
anu ltl6 IUdShS Ol ll0lT euelllleo.
M. Ribot concluded his defense with
the words: "rhose that flatter them
selves that there is no government in
France are deluded, and if the crisis
came the present cabinet would not
hesitate to prove it. This government
is prepared to defend the republic"
The irmneSS and calmnesS of M. Ri
bots address evidently had won for
him the Sympathy of the chamber,
for as he left the tribune he
was cheered with exceptional ell
thusiasm. Even M. Deroulede seemed
to realize this, and his subsequent
speech was mild to the point of tame
ness. He explained his plan for revis-
ing the constitution at some length. and
in his peroration astounded his hearers
by declaring that he felt full confidence
in the probity and intelligence of the
ministry
M. Millevoye's motion of mo conf
dence" was then put. and was lost byhe
vote of 1853 to 81. Tremendous cheeriigh
and applause from the left followed the
n1, of w nj