Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-20
DEPUTIES EXCITED.
suNpRY AND VARIOUS COLLISIONS
BETWEEN LAWMAKERS.
Faces Slapped, Ears Boxed. and Conse-
quent Dueis Gaiore-Fie'd-Day In
the French Chamber.
rev .n,,o-Amer,cnn cable TO the Dispatch.l

Tf,y Anslo-American cable TO the Dispatch.l
PagYs. January 1.-THE Chamber OF
Deputies to-day was the scene Of unusual
excitement. At the opening OF the sitting
President Floauet announced that he had
received an intimatioD from Bouiangist
member. NJ. Lauf, that he desired to ask
Premier de Freycinet Whist steps the Gov
erpment would takeefcgarding the fnrd'-
siqsdnt's attacks upon q certain member OF
the Cabinet. NJ. de Frevcinet said that 1t
was clear that the object OF the question
was 10 have newspaper articles read from
the tribune rejecting upon the Govern
ment. and he therefore declined to discuss
the matter. lCheers.l
Several members spoke in favor OF the
preyious question. Others opposed the
shelving Of the matter. reminding the
House that the President had recently de-
cided that every member had rieht 10 DC
heard on a question not relating 10 Tue
foreign policy of the Government, main
tanning that the House ought not 10 yose
the previous question when II was q case
OF sbelteripp a member Of the Cabinet.
Hissesl.
THE SLAP DIRrcT.
AsM. Laur was leaving the tribune NJ.
Constans. toward whom the insinuations
were directed. suddenly advanced and
struck him in the face. There was an mp
roar immediately. The Government sup
norters wildly cheered NJ. Constaus, while
M. Iaur. surrounded by friends. was led to
his seat. NJ. Constans, on returning to MS
place. was warmly congratulated, mum
Der of Deputies hurrylng to his SIDE 70
shake hands with him. meanwhile, trel-
dent Floquet yainly rang his beli III an
effort Ia restore order, and finding that
his warnings were disregarded. fnally adj
iourned the sitting. He advised the mem
hers To retire 20 the committee-rooms. but
many of them persisted In remaining IN
the chamber, and there was no abatement
in the clamor.
VARIOUS COLLISIONS.
Various groups of deputies became en-
gagged in violent quarrels. During one OF
these disputes NJ. Delpech, Republican
member. cuiled tho ears of Deputy Cas-
telin. a Boulangist. As the result or this
act of violence Nj. Dumartel walted on M;
Delpech in the lobby 70 arrange Tor duei
with Castelin. At this juncture there was
another row, resulting in arrangements f0r
another duel, which 1t was settied sn9u y,
precede that between Nj. Castelin aud NJ.
Delpech. About the same time, also. IN
the lobby well-known journalist struck
M. Boudeau, "A Boulangist member. Other
personal encounters beng imminent III
the chamber and in the lobbies. the cues
teurs jnterfered, and, having requested the
deputies to leave, cleared the loobles.
ooSsTASs HERO.
Later on the interrupted sitting was re-
sumed. Nj. Constans ON entering the
Chamber was greeted with cheers. lie re-
sponded by expressing his satisfaction al
the sympathy shown MN IN the chamber,
adding that 1t was sometimes lnpossioie
to maintain ones sang froid.
A motion 10 consider the previous ques-
ton was then agreed upon by a vote OIL
49S To ~.
When NJ. Constans left the chamber
many Of the deputies escorted MIN 10 Ills
| carriage.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
PARIS. January 19-The scandal with
which the name of General Brugere. secre-
tary of President Carnots military house
hold. is connected and IN regard TO when
M. Constans. Minister of the Interior. sald
| in tie Chamber OF Deputies last evening
| that he was ready TO meet any lnterpelia-
| ton. is an alleged sale of the decoration OF
| the Legion of Honor. The story Is pup
| lished only IN papers VIGOROUSLY unreia'
| BILE in the news they furnish the pubic.
| The papers of the better class make nc
mention whatever OF 1t.
TIE CHARGE IGNORED.
LONDON, January 19.-The English press,
with the exception OF the Chronicle, utter
| lv ignore the charges made by some
| Partisan papers against General .Brugere
| The Chronicle has brief dispatch on the
subject saying that the charges are pub.
| lished in two of the least trustworthy OF
| the Paris papers. The next stage In the
disclosure. 1t adds, will probably be the
| prosecution of these scurrilous prints on
| charges of libel. So
A majority of the deputies evidently
heartily approve NJ. Constants action.
| LAUR's PREDIcAMEsT.
| NJ. Laur has telegraphed Henri Roche
fort, the Boulangist leader. asking Tor ad
| vice as to whether he shall challenge III
| Constans to duel for striking him or re-
4 sort TO prosecution.
| The members OF the Cabinet support Nj
| Constans. A rlmor that he had resigned
| the portfolio of the interior proves to bl
| without foundation. He merely Offered
| TO apologize to the Chamber tor his breach
| of the rules, whereupon NJ. Floquet, the
presiding officer. decided to abstain iron
| interference in the matter.
Deputy Boudeau has obtained a sum
| mons for the journalist who struck hin
| in the lobby 20 appear IN tho Ponce
1 COurt