Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-20
HIT BY NJ. constants.
M. Laur of the French Chamber of Deputies
Receives a Blow in the Face.

Receives Blow in the Face.
The French chamber Of deputies yesterday
was the scene of unusual excitement. At the
opening of the sitting President Floquet an
nounced that be had received an intimation
from a Boulangist member, NJ Laur, that lie
desired to ask Premier de Freycinet what steps
the governments would take regarding the
IHtrDssigea,ses attacks upon certain member
OF the cabinet.
NJ de Freycinet said that it was clear that the
object Of the question was 10 have newspaper
articles read from the tribune rejecting upon
the government. and he, therefore, declined to
discuss the matter. [Cheers.l
Several members spoke in favor Of the pre-
yious question Others opposed the shelving
of the matter, reminding the house that the
president had recently decided that every
member had right to be heard on a question
Tot relating TO the foreign policy Of the gov
eminent, and maintaining that the house
ought not to vote the previous question when
IL was a case Of sheltering q member of the cab
met, IHisses.l
As NJ Laur was leaving the tribune VI Con-
STAINS, toward whom the insinuations were
directed. suddenly advanced and struck him
In the face.
There was an uproar Immediately. The gov
eminent supporters wildly cheered NJ Con-
wa led to his seat NJ Constants on returning
TO his place, was warmly congratulated. a num-
Der Of deputies hurrying 10 his side to shake
hands with him. Meanwhile President Floquet
rang his bell IN an effort to restore order, and
finding that his warnings were diSrecurded
finally adjourned the sitting. He advised the
members to retire 10 the committee roorls but
many Of them persisted in remaining in the
chamber and there was no abatement in the
cismor. Various groups Of deputies became
engaged in violent Guarrels.
During one OF these disputes ". Delpech a
republican member. cuffed the ears Of Deputy
Castehn, Boulangist. As the result of this act
OF violence NJ DumarteIl waited on VI. Delpech
In the lobby toarranSe for duel with Casteiin
AT this Juncture there was another row. result
ing In arrangements for another duel. which it
was settled should preceGe that between NJ
Castelin and VI. Delpech.
About the same time, also in the lobby n
well-knOwn journalist struck NJ Boudean. n
Boulangist member. Other personal encoun-
tiers being imminent in the chamber and in the
'obbles, the qUrsteurs interfered and having
requested the deputies to leave, cleared the
lobbies
NJ fIoquetafterward conferred with Premier
&c treyeinet and other ministers and with the
officers Of the house on the question whether
The rules OF the chamber applied To the case OF
III. Coustaus, who Is a member of the senate
Later on the interrupted sitting was resumed.
u Cons'ans, on entering the chamber, was
=
pressing his satisfaction az the sympathy shown
him IN the chamber, adding that it was some
times impossible to maintain ones sang froid.
MOTION to consider the previous question
was then agreed upon BY a vote of ass to IL
When VI. Coastssns Left the chamber many of
the deputies escorted him 10 his carriage
majority Of the depaties evidently heartily
approve NJ Coustaus' action.
u; Laar mas telegraphet Henry Rochefort.
the BoulangIst leader. asking for advice as to
whether he shah challenge NJ. Coustans to a
dael Tor striking HIM or resort % Prosecution.
lac members OF the cabinet support n. Con-
STAINS rumor that he had resigned the port
Io.io OF tue interior proves 20 be withou;
Foundation He merely offered 20 apologize
To the chamber for his breach OF the rules
wbereuPon NJ Fioquet. the presiding officer
DECIDED 70 ABSTAIN from interference in the
matter.
Deputy Boudeau has obtained a summon.
Tor the journalist who struck him in .he IoIb,
- appear in the police court