The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-30
PANAMAssBOODLE IN AMERICA.
The French Swindiers Said to Have
Bribed United states Legislators.

The French Swindiers Said to Havs
Rribed United states Legislators.
NEW IoRE, Dec. 29-in a three-column
article this morning. the World alleges that
the Panama canal corruptionists and
thieves expended over 100000 in the
bribery of American legislators. In brief
the article SAYS:
There is au American end to the Panama scam
da The sum of s2,5oO0o0 was sent 10 this
country, and no explanation has been given
as to why il necessary what
use was made OF this vast sum. The
bribery and corruption practiced in the United
states was just as fiagrspt, although less IN ex-
tent and in the amount OF money used. The
French specuiators obtained their rights from
the United States of Colo mbs, and purchased
the services OF Ferdinand de Iesseps give their
scheme eclat The farce of "canai congress-
which met al Paris on May Il, 1879. wes enacted
and IN the face of intelligent opposition q
picked committee on the selection of a location
chose the Panama route from to sea. Soon
after the Paris canal congress had been
dissolved gen. A. +. Burnside, SEN
stor from Rhode Island, introduced
resolution on the subject in congress. II read
that the United States views with serious dis
9uietude any attempt by the powers of Europe
to establish under their protection and domina-
ton thip canal across the isthmus of Panama.
Gen. Burnside IN private conversation with
friends indicated that he foresaw that an at
tempt would be made TO influence congress and
he, as stated, introduced the anti-oanal notice
with the intention of anticipating any work its
promoters might attempt at Washington City.
The article then reviews the history of
the canal, with President Hayes message
declaring that the canal could be built
only with the United States preponderat-
ing in influence. and continues:
Ila and 9th. Er.n rh1.~
here. Ii was u staggerer for them but De Les
seps cablcd his son Charles to give the Paris
newspapers the statement that this message as
sured the political security of the canal To
confirm this idea in France ne had an American
committee appointed TO look after the neutrality
question in connection with the canal, aud to
make Americans feel that their interests were
being served. The American committee
not disposed to work for moth
ing and De Lesseps agreed to make,
when the company organized. six annual
payments to this American committee. The
first to be S,lo0.000 francs. the year following
l,4o0.o0o francs, and subsequent payments of
1,5yo,00o francs year for five years. Thus
there was about s., 100000 provided by those
at the head of the Panama canal scheme To
influence the people OF the United States
and their government Here was a corruption
fund capable OF accomplishing great results.
he organization OF the committee was nego-
pose WAS 10 secure for chairman
distinguished American whose name
would inspire confidence and leud luster
to the Panama project. The first chairman sug
gested was Gen. u S. Grant, and the position
was rendered the distinguished citizen through
the banking house OF q. W. seligman IL Co, the
annual compensation offered being $1,000, and
the general was assured that his duties would
be- light. Gen. Grant saw through the inten-
tions ot the committee aud declined.
Continuing, the article says:
Certain pubic officials in the American COM
mittea received $4,000 year for their services.
The corruption which followed the organ
iZatfou of the American committee ana ths
income of the hard-earned money of the
French subscribers to the canal company ars
skill fondly remembered at v ashington City by
some OF those who received some of the Doodle
Certain new papers In New York received lib
erAl subsidy 10 favor the canal Two congress-
men were bribed, individuals who pos
scsscd influence were bribcd, and the money
Of the French peasa1try ran Ike water at Wash
inaton City. An article in the Fiadaeai Neps,
of London. de- ciibed the situation rs follows:
THE American syndicate hss received one of
the most shameful corruption funds ever re-
corded in the history OF financial enter
yrises. ILlasius al expenditure of $4,000
SO that few men in New York might represent
the company in America and cooperate With it
cess which attended Do Lssseps' invitation to
the then secretary OF the navy of the United
States TO accept the presidency OF the
syndicate and no respectable banker
should ever have participated In that
costly fraud upon the shareholders of the
Panama Canal Company. These men are chai-
ieuged 20 show that they ever did anything for
the company except 20 lend their names so
that in Europe De Lesseps might say: Amer
ica is all right" The attitude OF tho
company decidedly uniriendly when
the committee formed, and the press
was quite generally then adverse 10 the canal
under FreBch control. A change soon oc-
CURED. Wh3n lie Lssseps returned to France
he announced that the United states favored his
project He claimed he had refuted all objection
to 40 Panama plan and that the Americans
have now recognized that the WORK % b under
taken has no political hearing and is psrticu-
larry for their own benefit, and" Count De Les
sepa navely added. "the full cooperation OF the
great and powerful American banking houses
shows the results OF Iay trip To the United
states.
IoSpoS, Dec. % A Paris CORES pondsns
saws: All that DR.. Brouardel has coa-
cludcd in the case OF Baron Reinach iz
that the baron died of neither congestion
of the brain nor congestion Of the blood
vessels nor syncOpe. lie has requested
chemical expert to continue the examln1-
ton.
Another Paris correspondent thinks that
DR.. Brouardel's only reason for appoint
ing experts TO finish the examination OF
the viscera of Baron Reinach, was to con-
firm his conclusion and satisfy the excited
public.
Chassaing will introduce bill in tha
chamber Of deputies granting full parton
10 Panama canal inforrner5.
The Dublin Dynamite oatrags-
LosDoy, Dec. 29.-The authorities appear
to be 40 strongly convinced that the Dub
lin explosion. by which Detective Synoss
lost his life, Is part of the work Of band
OF conspirators, that they have sent DO
tectiys to Blarritz 10 keep guard over