The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-22
Great Sensation Created by Debate
in the French Chamber of
Deputies.
Wholesale Corruption Of Members
by Men Back of the Panama
Canal.
A Demand for Names not Com piled with
The Liveliest Time for Many
. Day.

PARIS, Nov. 21.--The session of the depu-
ties throughout was most exciting for
long time. The trouble began when M.
Delaliay esaross and said the chamber must
order an inquiry into the Panama canal
matter. He would make statement but
mention no names. as they would be brought
out in the investigation. The scandals of
the Panama matter. said he. exceed the
Wilson affair. When DeLesseps in 1890,
vainly traversed France appealing for sub
scribers, certain individual proposed to
the Panama canal the system of lottery
bonds. He first asked five million francs,
declaring that he could purchase Herewith
all the necessary consciences in both cham
bers of the national legislature. A
tremendous uproar followed this state
ment, with cries of name him. name
him." The medium of transactions. said
Delahaye. was a man named Anton, who
had since fed the country to escape punish
ment for embezzlement. There was the
sum of 100000 francs distributed among
100 deputies and few senators. Violent
uproar. But the appetites thus excited
grew Rreedier and he was compelled to ask
| the directors for more millions. The money
| was demanded for election expenses IN the
| department of the north. This statement
again created intense excitement and M.
Floquet arose and exclaimed. II was min
lister of the interior at the time and SOL
emnly state that received nothing"
Delahaye continued that the 100000
francs were spent in buying three papers; n
minister now dead. asked 100000 francs
100000 francs more was paid for journal
of little value, but behind which hidden in
fluences were working; foreign paper was
bought for half a million francs. "Now,
for the last scandal" exclaimed Delahaye,
"a committee in the chamber, charged
with the duty of examining the scheme.
comprised five favorable and five opposed.
The eleventh member. before casting his
vote. offered his services to the company fol
200, 900 francs. As the company refused the
| proposition he formed q syndicase. aided by
a banker and caused fall in shares, com
polling the company to yield. The scheme
was then approved by the committee. but the
banker was not warned in time. Shares re
covered and he was ruined. Tremendous
uproar Although the authorities concea
the evidence, there are a hundred here
present who know where it can be found
There are two categories of deputies
those who received money and those who
did not"
i Indescribable confusion followed this
assertion. M. Floquet, president of the
chamber asked Delahaye to give names
saying he considered himself attacked, and
that ne not only favored an inquiry. but
had the demands therefor signed by his
colleagues. This announcement was
greeted with prolonged cheering. When
DelahaQe walked to HIS seat he was hisset
and hooted, and violent dispute then be
gan between Mr.. W. Hubbard and d.
Roulede. When Premier Loubet finally
} succeeded in making himself heard, h'
said he would not reply to Delahaye's allie
! cations as he believed the charges aros'
from violent political passions. The gov
J ernment has nothing to hide, however"
The chamber then agreed that commit
tee of thirty three be appointed, with ex
traordinary powers. to examine all charges
After many altercations and much mud
, singing between different members. thu
chamber adjourned after adopting mo
tion of congratuIation on the successes OF
Gen. DOdds.