The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-27
Tn. Panama Canal Scandal.

The investigation ordered by the French
Chamber OF Deputies seems likely to dis
close a colossal scheme OF bribery on the
part OF the Panama Canal Company. which
will remind American readers OF tho in
iquity brought home to the Credit MObiller
in connection with certain members Of the
Federal Congress. The Credit Moblier 1t
will be remembered. was corporation Or
ganized to build the Pacific Railway under
most lucrative contract. which for
tho purpose Of obtaining grants from the
Federal Legislature made gratuitous allot-
ments OF stock to several influential Rep
resentauves. That Is substantially the
offence OF which the directors of tho
Panama Canal Company are accused. the
difference being that the bride was offered
in the shape Of money instead OF stock.
and that the work Of corruption was per-
formed on an enormous scale. some two
hundred Deputies being said to have been
bought over.
The manner IN which the motion for m
investigation WIS received indicated per-
vadlnR sense OF uneasiness and even dis
may. NJ. DELAHAYE, who made the motion.
was denounced as q calulnniator and has
been challenged to duel by member who
protested himself particularly outraged.
while others opposed the inquiry on the
ground that the Panama Canal was a splen-
did national undertaking which deserved
sympathy rather than criticism. and that
NJ. DE LEssEPs is too illustrious n French
man to be arragned in his old age for
crime. Pleas OF the same kind we're heard
in the House OF Representatives during
the debate which preceded the Credit Mo-
bilier exposure. or course no legislative
body could refuse to examine On ilupu-
tation OF wholesale bribery. and, accord
ingly. On Investigation was ordered by the
Chamber of Deputies though at first an
attempt was made to give the friends OF
the accused or suspected mombers an
overwhelming majority on tho committee
OF inquiry. This trick provoked. however,
such storm 0: protest In tho Chamber and
such q bodeful outburst OF public consuro
that finally the committee was fairly con-
stituted and Is to BIO presided over BY q
man of unquestioned integrity. NJ. BnIssoN,
formerly Primo Minister. Yet wo cannot
even now DO sure that the inquiry may not
provo o sham. 1t remains to 10 seen
whether the Chamber will accept or reject
the demand that the committee shnll be in
vested with judicial powers that Ia to say,
with the right Of subject!ug false witnesses
to the penalties for perjury.
Luckily for tho good name Of France. the
disclosure OF tho truth in this matter does
not entirely depend on tho outcome OF tho
Parliamentary inquiry. There will take
place simultaneously n prosecution OF tho
directors u tho company and some of the
contractors for work and supplies, and us
this will be conducted by the Procureur-
General and countenanced by NJ. RICARp.
the Minister Of Justice. it is certain to be
pressed with rigor. Tho directors, among
whom, OF course. NJ. DE LgssEps will figure.
are to be- forced to explain what thcv did
with vast sums OF money whose dsb,lrse-
nent is not explicitly accounted for on the
companys books. which arc believed to
have been expended in corrupting the Leg
islnturc and the press. The amounts paid
TO certain newspapers and certain Dcpu-
ties are specified by common report, and
although tho persons incrlminated have
thus far proclaimed their innocence, they
will have chance to prove it in a criminal
trial. 1t is believed that tho foreseen i'm
possibility OF clearing himself caused the
suicide OF tho wel!-known SPECTATOR. NJ.
REINAcH. who has left fortune OF sixty
million dollars. NJ. EIFFEL Is to have an OBJ
portunity OF showing what consideration