The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-21
R0UVIER IN A BAD LIGHT
BE TRIES TO FOOL THE DEPU-
TIES AND THEY HOWL.

He Explains Suspicious Checks by
Claiming That the Money They Rep
resent Was for the Use of the
Government - DeRoulde Makes an
Attack on Clemenceau.
PARIS, Dec. 2O.-Premier Floauet an
nounced to the house to-day that he had
received an application for authority TO
prosecute M. Rouvier, ex-minister Of
flnsnce; NJ. Jules Roche, ex-minsiter Of
commerce, Emanuel Areue, member for
Corsica; Antony Proust, member for Zeux
Geuvers; Baron Jean de Soubeyran, men,
Der for Joudon and Joseph Teuguede
la Fauconnerri, member for Lorne. This
letter. NJ. Floquet said, was
from the procureur general. IL
stated that the application was made
on the ground that the examining magis-
trate of the Panama canal case had received
many check stubs, in which appeared the
initials OF deputies, and that compromising
evidence against the individuals In question
had been laid before the parliamentary In.
vestigating commission, especially as to the
part they took in tho lottery issue. The
the consent OF the house, as deputies under
the law were exempt from certain legal
p roceedings.
The chamber decided that the standing
committees should meet and consider the
application. The sitting was then ad-
journed.
In the Senate M. Teroyer stated that he
had received a demand for the prosecution
OF Senators Renault. Albert Grevy, Beral
1hpVannl for ha ~ had
taken In the affairs OF the canal company
The matter was referred. as In the 10 wer
chamber, TO the standing committee.
RoUvIER DEFENDS HIMSELF.
In the Senate and lower chamber special
committees we're elected to consider the ap-
plioations OF the procureur general, and
both we're understood to favor prosecution
Of Minister Rouvier, who appeared be-
fore the standing committee, of which he is
a member, in his own defense. He said
there was nothing in the documents seized
TO prove that he had ever received q check
from anybody In the interest of the Panama
canal. He had served the state Ia high Of
flee for several years, and he had always
deemed it his duty 20 preserve silence as re-
CARDS certain facts. The accusations made
against his honor and integrity had relieved
him Of such obligation, and he would now
speak out in the chamber without reserve.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
Before the chamber resumed business this
statement had gone abroad and caused in-
tense excitement in the Hobbies. H. Rou-
vier was expected to refute in detail NJ
Clemenceau's charges as TO the call at Baron
de Reinaoh's house on the evening before
the latter's death, and the statement of La
Ltbre Parole that his initials were on the
stub OF one of the thierree checks The
galleries were packed. Deputies who had
intended to absent themselves from the sit,
ting hurried back to the chamber. The
report of the special committee, read by
Chairman Alexander Milleran and, favored
granting Of the application for authority to
prosecute, but In the intense anxiety of the
moment, it was hardly noticed. AL waited
impatiently for the explanations. Deputy
Arene, charged by Nj. Andrieux, late pre-
feet OF police, with corruption In connection
with the loan of 1888, was the first one to
protest his innocence. He made merely q
general denial.
RoUvIER ON THE TRIBUNE.
As M. Rouvier assembled the speakers
tribune every deputy leaned forward in an
attitude Of CLOSE attention, aud the first
words OF his defense were delivered amid
oppressive stiffness. After reminding the
chamber of his long public services, his
hitherto unexceptional record, and the OBJ
legations to official secrecy which had
previously closed his mouth, he made an
emphatic denial that he had accepted
checks from the Panama Canal
Company or their agents, or
had had any discredtable connection of
any sort with the company's enterprise. The
present circumstances had relieved his
tongue OF the gag imposed upon IL by min
isterial duty and he was ready TO tell the
whole truth. When he came into power he
found that the secret service fund was
entirely inadequate for the defense of the
republic As, In order to govern wsll, he
and his colleagues must have the money
which the secret service fund lacked. he
had recourse TO his personal friends for
sufficient money to tide over temporary
difficulty.
DoDGING THE ISSUE.
The confusion grew steadily in the cham
Der as the deputies became convinced that
M. Rouvier was lodging the issue. Loud
murmurings OF protest greeted his first
statement as to the secret service fund, and
when he suggested that suspicious checks
were contributions OF his personal friends
to the support OF the government there was
an outbreak of howls and derisive laughter
Raising his voice so as TO be heard above
the uproar, M. Rouvier shouted: what
did all public men have done. Had l not
adopted that course, men now interrupting
would not be seated on these benches"
BEDLAM BREAKS LOOSE.
Bedlam broke loose the moment the words
were uttered. Deputies rose and shouted
back to the speaker. and Others shouted for
the names OF the friends. M. Rouvier made
three attempts to be heard, but his voice
was inaudibie.
After the demonstration had spent itself
he continued: II am perfectly ready to 20
before any tribunal. l have nothing to
fear. never derived tho slightest benefit
from the canal company. never defended
its interests | challenge Investigation -
This perarotion provoked another hostile
demonstration.
PROSECUTION ORDERED.
When order had been restored the report
of the special committee in favor of prose
cution was adopted.
NJ Paul de Roulde then asked what action
the disciplinary council of the Legion Of
Honor had decided to take against DR..
Cornelius Herr. This man" N. de Roulde
said, lis not TO be left with the insignia Of
the legion In his possession, although grant
he is q most important man to the state, for
he truly holds the reins Of the government"
AN ATTACK ON cLEMENCEAU.
NJ. de Roulde paused for several minutes
while the right cheered this taunt and the
left tried to drown the cheers with shouted
protests. Then he proceeded with perfect
GOODNESS to make a most vIrulent personal
attack upon Mr.. Clemenceau. whose rela-
tions to M. Herr" he said, ARE too well
q