Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-24
EXCITEMENT IN THE CHAMBERS.
Scenes Attending the Vote Sustaining
the Ribot Ministry.

The scene in the French chamber of deputies
yesterday when ". Millevoye interpellated the
ministry regarding advances of money by the
Panama Canal Company of the most
stormy character. ~ AIilleyoye said that he
T desired to question the government as to the
/ facts in its possession relating to the use OF
contributions by a former premier from the
Panama Canal Company, whose corrupt and
criminal operations we're now being investi-
gated.
! ~ Hbot in behalf of the government. said
I ne accepted immediate discussion OF the sub
ject.
FLoQUET EXPLANATION.
! President Floquet thereupon vacated the
chair, N. Peytral taking his place. and assembled
! the tribune. There a hush in the chamber
as tue former minister began his address OF ex-
culpation. and every face turned toward
/ the speaker with the most eager interest.
/ NJ Ftoquet repeated what he had already
I stated before the committee OF investigation.
! He reiterated with emphasis that while MEM
Der of the ministry he had never received
money from the Panama Canal Company for
any purpose whatever. and he denied any inn
/ proper purpose in the insertion of paid polti-
/ cal advertisements in the press.
| Count jules de Bernes, al ardent royalist, in
! Obliged In violent attack on VI. FloIuet and de-
nounced his conduct In the alleged bribing OF
| The count exclaimed: You not only allowed
( the people to be robbed of their shvings but
I you were All accompllcc III the nefarious crime.
WILD EXCITEMENT.
! At this there was the widest excitement.
Deputies stood and waved their arms and
shouted. some in denuncation. others in ap
proval of the language used by Count de Berues-
When order had been restored ia some degree
NJ. Millevoye arose and INDUCED in a violent at
/
aPpiauded by the Bouangists, royalists and I'M
perialIsts, but II was evident that few republi
cans we're inclined to Join in adding to the
element.
RoUvIER's DEFENsE.
NJ. Rouvier then arose to make I'M explana-
ton and defense of his conduct lie said that
at the time of the Boulangist agitation certain
people had lent to the government so 600. to
100000 francs to supply pressing want OF secret
service funds to keep up she fight against Bou-
langer, and prevent him aud his followers from
Carrying out their schemes against the republic
II never, added ". Bouvicr, chad anything
to do with the Panama Canal Company and
never attempted to control the press. and when
Baron iScina,'h Offered TO help the government
refused to accept his assistance
NJ. Rouvier added warmly: 81 always held
the flag OF parliamentarsm and of the republic
and always viii. Kisses and cheers followed.
MILLEyoYE HAsrESs THE CRISIS.
n. Rouvier still in the aisle when Mile
voye stepped into the speakers tribune. The
first word OF the Boulansist deputy showed his
purpose to preeipitaie crisis immediately
he spoke briefly but violently. The present
cabinet, he said was trusted neither by the
people nor their represo ntativef. Both its
members and adhevcuta were III the shadow of
fatal suspicion. Men chosen to serve the high
interests OF France were falling daily under
charges OF Incorporating those interests. The
time had come for an appeal 10 the preferences
OF the electors Applause on the right and
disorder on the left. On behalf of those who
had the honor of France at heart he demanded
a dissolution.
At this point uproar the floor interrupted
NJ. Milievoye and he stood silent until the
cheers and Shouts of protest subsidized. Then
he moved vote of mo confidence"
As he left the tribune there was little demon
stratlon. and VI. Rbot, the premier, rose to de-
lend the government amid profound silence.
The purpose of u Millevove, he SAID, was APP
parent to ALL He intended to unload scandal
a ter scandal upon the government until he
wrecked 1t. Cries of "No, no.. from the
Boulangists greeted this statement and NJ
Aiiieyoye shouted: The facts Will suffice to
wreck il when all l. known"
m. MiileSoye,' continued Ribot. sis at
tempting to bring to trial not the individuals
but the republican institutions of France. His
attack was directed not against the cabinet. nor
against those persons charged with corruption
but against national institutions which had been
built up by the labor and self-sacrifice of de-
voted patriots. The plotters against the re-
public should not delude themselves wi III the
idea that dissolution would accomplish their
ends, for the people knew their enemies and
the masks of their enemies. Honesty in poll
tics above all. | saw"
VI. Bibot called out as he turned to face the
right. but no liberation of men who con-
SURE to ruin orr republic. The whole ma
chiuery of the law has been set in motion to
punish the guilty. Can YOU not wait for the
verdict. Prolonged cheers.l Others nav be
deceived by tardy protestations of unsuiiied
purity. but surely the gentlemen before me are
in position to perceive the motive OF This sud
den show OF virtue on he part Of certain per-
SONS. tAppiause from the left Thu agita-
ton Is Intended. not to purify the govern
mcnt and not 10 serve the people. but merely
to serve The ends of certain designing poll
ticians. To theee Gentlemen | say: 'Ihe pres
ent government will not allow itself to be dis
tnrbed or intimdaied by their den,onstra-
TONS"
The applause with which this statement. was
received was Suddenly stiiled by NJ. Deroulede
who sprang to his feet. and, waving his right
arm above his head. shouted:
Down with the parl:umen tary system
After the president had restored order by re-
peated appeals 10 the deputies ". Ribot con-
cluded his defense with The words:
Those who iiatter hemseves that there Is
no government In France are drluded. ana il
the occasion come the present cabinet will not
hesitate to prove il. This government is pre-
pared 70 defend the republic"
The .rrnne5s ard calmuess Of u. Ribot's adj
dress evldentl bad won for him the .vmpathv
OF the chamber. for a. bo left the tribune he
was cheercd with exceptional Ell tn lsiasm. Even
NJ. Derouic de seemed TO realize this and his
subsequent speech mild 70 the point OF
tlneness. h explained h.s plan FOR revising
the constitution At some ienC Il. and in his pero-
ration astOCuicd ms hearers by declaring hat
be felt full conf ieTce in the p:obity and Intel
hgence of the ministry.
ANOTHER LIVELY SCENE
There was another Lively scene when Premier
Ribnt prerc nted hiui-eIf to answer the inter
pellation OF u. Nilieyo,e 10 the charge that
moEev advanced b. the Panama com{any had
been Used Ia 1he service Of ghe GO, ernInert
, H. Hinot spoke firmly and decidedly and was
evidently fcrtite d by the manifest syrnpa hv OF
ma 0ritv of the chamber. VI. hibot said that
the object of the Gue- toner to pile scarda!
upon scandal. Cries of NO. no. from The
Doulangsts.
The government" pursued II. Ribot ''has
always been opposed 20 such -hameful tactics"
and b. added. The government 10 prepared
To defend he republic.
RIBoT SUSTAINED.
NJ. Eibot was heartily aIriauded. " Mile
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