Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-22
SPENT MILLIONS FOR BRIBERY.

SPENT MILLIONS FOR BRIBERY.
Revelations I'm the Chamber OF Deputies
| About Panama Canal Affairs.
The French chamber Of deputies was the
scei Q Of great excitement yesterday afternoon.
There was an unusually large attendance in the
chamber. The public thronged the galleries.
Nearly all Of the ministers we're present. NJ.
Argelies opened tho debate on tho Panama
canal He said that his object was to defend
the interest Of the shareholders Of the company.
He reminded the chamber that it had authorized
the issue Of shares in 1888 under exceptional
circumstances
NJ. Rouvier, minister Of finance, lnterposed
to say that the chambers vote had not pledged
the responsibility either of parliament or Of the
government.
NJ Angeles said that it was none the less
true that the action Of the chamber was con-
trary to law and had, therefore, been in the
nature OF privilege. The mere fact of grant
ing 1t entailed moral responsibilities. II call
upon the government" said NJ. Angeles, ito
make declaration reassuring the small share
holders"
NJ Delahaye arose and declared: "This is .
question Of the public morality. l ask the
chamber for the sake Of my honor and of your
honor to order an inquiry into the facts 1 am
about to submit to you"
There was Q commotion in the chamber for
minute. Then q moment Of SUSPENSE NJ.
Dslahaye then continued: II will give no
names as l do not wish to appear as de-
nunciator"
There was another prolonged disturbance in
the chamber. When quiet was restored the
speaker continued: The scandals in the Panama
matter exceed those Of the Wilson affair The
inquiry demanded ia in the nature of a general
publication, to be effected in the broad day
light"
SENSATIONAL STATEMENT.
Here the speaker was again interrupted with
an uproar among the deputies. When he was
able to resume he said: IN. De Lesseps in 1890
had vainly traversed France appealing for SUBJ
scribers, when an individual. whom i shall not
name. proposed to the Panama directors a sys-
tenn of lottery bonds. He Was the evil genius
OF the company. The directors duped the pub
lie. he duped the directors. He first asked for
5000 900 francs, declaring that no could pur-
chase Herewith all the necessary concessions
in both chambers of the national legislature"
There were renewed Interruptions here and
cries Of Name him! Name himi" NJ. Delahaye
replied: If You want names you must vote for
an inquiry. But can say that the medium of
these TRANSACTIONS was q man named Arton,
who has since fed the country to escape pun
ishment for embezzlement of a large sum from
dynamite manufacturing company, Of which
he was q director"
nj. Delahaye proceeded: There was a sum OF
5000, 600 francs distributed among $50 deputies
and few senators. Violent uproar among
the deputies But the appetites thus excited
grew greedier, and the fnancier managing the
matter was compelled to ask the Panama d.
rectors for more millions Of francs. The
money was demanded for election expenses in
the department of Nord."
INTENSE EXCITEMENT PREVAILS
Intense excitement broke out again in the
chamber, and NJ. Floquet arose and exclaimed:
81 was minister Of the interior at that time and
l desire to solemnly state that l received 10th
ing"
NJ. Delahaye waited for the confusion which
existed to abate, and then continued: 'Three
hundred thousand francs spent in buying
three papers: minister. now dead. asked AGO..
600 francs; another zoe, 600 francs was paid for
journal of little value. bat behind which hidden
influences were working; foreign paper was
bought for 500, 600 francs, check for which
was signed at its Office. l can name the person
who acted as messenger between the contracting
parties" [Cries Of Name himr'l
NJ. Delahaye did not notice this interruption,
but proceeded Now for the last scandal
The committee Of this chamber charged with
the duty of examining into this lottery bond
scheme comprised five favorable to it and five
opposed. The eleventh member before casting
his vote offered his services to the company for
proposition he formed a syndicate, being aided
by banker. and caused a fall in the shares and
compelled the company to yield The scheme
was then approved by the committee, but the
banker was not warned in time. The shares re-
covered and he was ruined. TGreat sensation
You ask me for proof Although the authori-
ties conceal evidence there are Il hundred here
present who know where it can be found. There
are two categories Of deputies-those who re-
ceived money; those who did not"
Indescribable uproar followed this assertion.
NJ. Floquet, president OF the chamber, inter-
vened to say:
''You cannot come into this house and accuse
the entire body"
There we're renewed calls upon NJ Delahaye
for names. He replied:
Vote for inquiry
NJ. Floquet asked him to give names, as such
a course would be more dignifed than an anony-
nous denunciatiOn.
81 consider myself attacked" said the pre-
siding officer OF the chamber. al am not only
not opposed to an inquiry, but have demands
therefor signed by our colleagues"
THE AcCUsER KISSED.
This announcement was greeted with pro-
longed cheering, during which NJ Delahaye
quilted the tribune. As he walked to his seat
there was an unparalleled scene Of confusion.
He was Missed and hooted, and violent dis
pute began at the same time between NM. Hub
bard and Deroulede.
At this point Premier Loubet ascended the
tribune. He WAS unable to speak for a time,
owing to the tumult. When finally he was able
to make his voice heard he said that he would
not reply to NJ. Delahaye's allegations, as he
believed that the charges arose from violent
political passions. The government. however,
could not refuse the demand for an inquiry
1t was in the interest of all that light should
be thrown upon the matter. The government
had nothing to hide.
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.
The chamber agreed that a committee Of
thirty-three should be appointed, with extra
ordinary powers. to examine all the charges.
M. Delaunay urged that the most searching
investigation be made, as the responsibility of
the government, the press, the leading finan-
ciers and contractors were involved.