The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-29
FIGHTING DEPUTIES.
They Indulge in Pisticufs in the
French Chamber.
SEVERAL DUELs THREATENED.

A Newspaper Article Leads to a
Discussion Which Arouses the Ire
of VI. CoDstans, Minister of the
Interior and He Strikes from the
Shoulder.
PARIS, Jan. 2o.-The chamber of dep
uties yesterday was the scene of unusual
excitement. At the opening of the sit
ting President Floquet announced that
he had received an intimation from
Boulangist member, M. Laur, that he
desired to ask Premier de Freycinct
what steps the government would take
regarding The Intransigeant's attacks
upon certain member of the cabinet.
M. de Freycinet said that it was clear
that the object of the question was to
have newspaper articles read from the
tribune rejecting upon the government,
and he therefore declined to discuss the
matter.
Several members spoke in favor of the
previous question. Others opposed the
shelving of the matter, reminding the
house that the president had recently
decided that every member had a right
to be heard on a question not relating to
the foreign policy of the government,
and maintaining that the house ought
not to vote the previous question when
it was a case of sheltering a member Of
the cabinet.
NJ. Constans Strikes Out.
AS NJ. Laur was leaving the tribune,
M. Constans, towards whom the insinu-
ations were directed, suddenly advanced
and struck him in the face. There was
an uproar Immediately The govern
ment supporters wildly cheered M Con-
stan, while NJ Laur, surrounded by
friends, was led to his seat. M, Con-
STAINS, on returning to his place, was
warmly congratulated, number of
deputies hurrying to his side to shake
hands with him Meanwhile President
Floquet yainly rang his bell in an effort
to restore order and finding that his
warnings were disregarded finally ad-
journed the sitting. He advised the
members to retire to the committee
rooms, but many of them persisted in
remaining in the chamber and there was
no abatement in the clamor.
More Humping.
Various groups of deputies became
engaged in violent quarrels. During one
of these disputes M. Delpech, a Repub-
hcan member, cuffed the ears of Deputy
Castelin, Boulangist. AS the result of
this act of violence M. Dumartiel waited
on nj. Delpech in the lobby to arrange a
duel with Castelin At this juncture
there was another row, resulting in. ar
rangements for another duel. which it
was settled should precede that between
M. Castelin and M. Delpech.
About the same time also in the lobby
well known journalist struck NJ. Bou-
deau, a Boulangist member Other per-
sonal encounters being imminent in the
chamber and in the Hobbies, the ques-
tours interfered, and, having requested
the deputies to leave, cleared the lobbies
M. Floquet. afterward conferred with
Premier de Freycinet and other minis
tiers and with the officers of the house
on the question whether the rules of the
chamber applied to the case of NJ. Con-
STAINS, who is member of the senate.
Constans Applauded
Later on the interrupted sitting was
resumed. M. COnstans, on entering the
chamber, was greeted with cheers. He
iooPOhuou Wy cAIl cSSluS LIS SdulSldCI lOn
at the sympathy shown him in the
chamber, adding that it was sometimes
impossible to maintain ones sang froid
A motion to consider the previous
question was then agreed upon by vote
of 468 to A.
When M. Constans left the chamber
many of the deputies escorted him to
his carriage.
A majority of the deputies heartily
approve M. Constants action. M. Laur
has telegraphed Henri Rochefort, the
Boulangist leader, asking for advice as
to whether he shall challenge NJ. Con-
STAINS to duel for striking him or resort
to prosecution.