The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1892-12-21
FRENCH BLOOD WARMED
DUELS MAY BE THE RESULT
Charges OF Complication In the
Panama Canal Frauds the
Cause OF Heated
Discussion.

PARIS, Dec. 2o.-Floquet, president Of
the chamber OF deputies, announced to
the house to-day that he had received an
application for authority 10 prosecute
houvier, ex-minister OF finance; Jules
Rocho, ex-minister Of commerce; Eman-
nei Arenc, member for Corsica; Antoine
Proust, member for Dcux Sevrcs; Baron
Jean de Soubey ran, member for London
and Joseph Dugao De La Facconnerier.
This letter Eloquent said was from tho
procurcur general. II stated that the mp
piicatfon is made on the ground that tho
Examining magistrate Of the Panama
canal casc had received many check stubs
on which appeared the initials of the
deputies, and that the compromising evil
dencc against individuals i'm question had
been laid before the parliamentary in
vestigating commission, especially as to
the part they took in the lottery issue.
The application could not be granted
without the consent Of tho house, as
deputies under the law were exempt from
certain legal proceedings. The chamber
decided that standing committees should
meet and consider the application. The
sitting then adjourned. In tho senate NJ.
Lcroyer. president, stated that he had re-
ccived demand for tho prosecution Of
Senators Rcnault, albert. Grevy, Peral,
Thevenst and Dcves. Tho matter was
similarly referred.
Rouvier appeared before tho standing
committee, of which he ID member, in
his own defense. He was glad, he said. of
the opportunity to explain his opposition.
There Is nothing In the documents seized
to prove that he had ever received check
from anybody m the interest of the Pan.
anna Canal company. He served the state
in high Office for several years, and al.
ways deemed 1t his duty to preserve ST.
lence in regard to certain facts. The ac-
cusations made against his honor and in
tegrity relieved him of the slightest obiga-
tions. and he now would speak out in the
chamber without reserve.
Before the chamber resumed business
this statement had gone abroad and
caused intense excitement. The galleries
were packed. The report OF the special
committee was read by Chairman Miller
and favored granting the application for
authority to prosecute, but I'm the intense
anxiety of the moment IL was hardly
noticed. All waited impaticntly for ex-
plantations of the accused members. Dep
uty Arcne was the first one to protest his
innocence. Then Rouvier assembled the
speakers tribune. He made an emphatic
general denial that no had accepted
checks from the Panama Canal company,
or its agents, or had any discreditable con-
nection of any sort with the company's
enterprise. When he came into power he
found the secret service fund entirely in
adequate for the defense of tho republic,
and in order to govern well he and his
colleagues must have the money which
the secret service funds lacked. He had
recourse to personal friends for sufficient
money TO tide over the temporary diff.
Guilty.
Confusion grew steadily In the chamber
as the deputies became convinced that
Rouvier was evading the issue. There
was an outbreak of howls and derisive
laughter. Rouvier shouted: "What did
all public men have done. Had I not
adopted that course the men now inter-
rupting me would not be seated on these
benches" Bedlam broke loose the mo-
ment the words were uttered. After the
demonstration had spent itself Rouvier
continued: II am perfectly ready to 20
before any tribune. I never derived the
slightest benefit from the Panama Canal
company; challenge investigation"
This provoked another hostile demon.
stration. When order was restored tho
report of the special committee in favor
OF the prosecution was adopted. DE
Roulede then asked what action the dis
ciplinary council Of the Legion Of Honor
decided 70 take against Herr. Then DE
Rouvier made n most virulent personal
attack upon Clcmcnceau. He declared
Herr tried 10 buy the Boulangists with
Panama Canal company money, but they
refused to touch it. Then DE Roulcde
shooted to Clcmenceau: "Why did this
Herr give 100000 franc TO La Jrsticcsf"
Clcmenceau, white with rage, sprang 10
his feet and shaking both fists toward DE
Roulcdc, shouted back an answer which no
body could hear in the general confusion.
DE Roulede closed with an attack on the
Mu tual Benefit association, not Of social
lists and revolutionnrics, but of rich men
and rich mems pnmpcrcrs. Clemcnccau
replied that De Roulede's attacks were
pcrnicious. shameless and without founda.
tion. Although he had not written proofs
of his innocence, he deflcd DE Roulede to
substan;iate the charges just made. He
would not answer the brazen ISLANDERS i'm
the chamber, but would demand personal
satisfaction Immediately after adjourn.
mcnt. Tho attacks Of the last speaker
upon Herr was based upon falschood and
imagination. Boulanger had no more de.
voted friend than DR.. Herr.
In conclusion Clemenceau cried out
"De Roulcdc has accused me of betraying
my country by introducing foreign infiu-
ence. De Rouledc lies"
After another scene of wild disorder.
Lucien Millcnoyc. Boulangist deputy for
Somme, rose to defend, as he said. the
memory Of Boulanger against tho asper.
sions cast on IL by Clemenccau's statement