Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-03-16
Crowds Witness Stormy Scenes
in the French Chamber
OF Deputies.
he Premier is Jeered to Silence
by Both BOulangists and
Republicans.
compromising Vote Finally
Taken Proceedings OF the
Panama Trial.

Ia11S, March ia tremendous
crowd gathered at the chamber of depu-
ties today, anticipating a cabinet crisis.
The Boulangist and rOyaliSt attack
upon the government was delayed until
the return of NJ. Bourgers, eX-minister
Of justice, from court. AS soon as he
appeared, Armand Despres, republican
deputy for Zeine, made an mterpOlla
ton of which he had already given no
tice, concerning the governments knOwl-
edge of the SOinOury interview with
Madame COttu. GOdefroy Calyagnac,
republican, also spoke in support of
the interpOlla ton.
Then NJ. Bourgers, pale, although self
possessed, walked to the speakers trib-
une. He began huskily, but quickly
clearing his throat, shouted: These
charges are absolutely false. / have
been before the court and answered ey-
erything. l now have the right to hold
up my head. There is nobody to gain
say it." After the applause and cheers
had subsidized, NJ. Bourgers repeated the
statement he had made in court
NJ Ribot said NJ. Borrgers had vim
Dictated his own honor. He would now
vindicate the honor of the government.
The story told by Madame Cottu was
distorted. Loubet had been told that
Premier Soinoury had been requested
by an intermediary to grant an inter-
view to Madam Cottu. NJ Soinoury I'M
derstOod that Madam COttu wished
merely to ask that she might be allowed
to see her husband. NJ. LOubet author
lied NJ. SOinOuly to receive her. suppos-
ing she had 10 other business in view
than arranging to visit NJ Cottu.
Recently Madam COttu requested that
she be allowed to have an interview
with the project Of police. Was this
another subterfuge? Did this woman
wish 10 lay trap for the project also?
There was 4 storm of prOteStatiOns
Of shame and ''falsehoOd" from the
BOulangists and the royIaists which
rendered inaudible the prelnier's next
words
The Boulangist deputy, AEillevoye
shaking his fist at RibOt, shouted: rs
that French honor? l refuse to listen
TO such calumnies against a woman.
Your language is a disgrace to the
French tribune. Shame yourself
Ribot waited patiently until the disor-
der passed and then said he felt salts
fed the government is remas in no
duty.
After a lengthy and heated debate,
GustaVe Rivet, republican, moved that
the chamber, in its determination to
let justice take it's course and bring
the truth to light approve the declar-
alton of the ministry. This motion was
accepted by RibOt and passed. 297 to
IDS
Stormy Panama Trial.
NJ. Bourgeois, late minister of justice,
trial today that he knew Secretary
Henry Cottu, and it was at the initiative
of the secretary he saw Police Commits
slOner NicOll with the view Of effecting
arrangements between the government
and the Panama directors. This inter-
view led to Il discussion which took
place between Madam Cottu and NJ
Soinoury, chief of the detective depart
ment The witness said he acted en-
hrely upon his OWL responsibility in
bringing about the interview.
NJ. GOliard testified in the Panama
next took the stand. He spoke with
1irmness and energy, showing a DISPOSE
ton to reserve nothing that could ex
plain his position toward the Panama
case and the defendants. He emphati-
cally repudiated all insinuations con-
tanned in the evidence of Madam Cottu.
He denied having authorized anybody
TO act in his behalf. He said he only
permitted Madam COttu to see her
husband from motives of humanity.
There was a brief passage between
NJ. Bourgeois and M. BarbararX. which
ended with the latter saying: Nobody
here doubts the sincerity of Madam Cot
fuS evidence"
Charles De Lesseps here arose, and
in a bold manner in tones that rang
through the court room, said: IN. Bour-
geriS attacked me little while ago
well, monsieur, here | am, face to face
with you-what have you to say to me-"
De Lesseps folded his arms and look
ed defiantiy at Bourgeois, while a VIC
lent uproar from the audience greeted
this sudden ebullitiOn on the part Of
the leading defendant, whose conduct
UP to this time had been at least within
the rules of orderly procedure.
The judge DIES jardines Indignantly
spoke up: Il cannot" he said, "allaw
these dialogues. The law must be rec
ognized by ALL
The audience was called down and
Bourgeois proceeded to reply in deliber-
ate language to NJ. RarbarauX. He
said the affair is the result OF maneuver.
the authors of which he does not know
in rhjs n. BOurgeris retired from
the witness stand, and Madam Cottu
was recalled. She declared GOliard
told her he would go and see Bourgeois
III regard to her
NJ. Coliard followed Madame Cottu
on the stand and confirmed her state
ment to the effect that he had told her
he would see BourgeIs, but added:
Nobody authorized me to say So"
NJ. BOuIgers arose and exclaimed:
If any one knows that | acted contrary
to the dictates of honor. let him speak"
At these words there was an uDrOar
in the audience. many taking part with
BourgerS and others with his accuSers.
When hearing was resumed SOinOury
was recalled. He made a statement
that neither Bourgers nor any other
minister was in any way responsible
for his interview with Madame Cottu
He himself originated the idea of Il
conference with her The charges that