The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-14
BLACK FOR BOODLERS.
Evidence in the Panama Canal Trial
Points to Conviction.
THE CONTRACTORS DEMANDS.
They Are Said to Have Been Outrageous
Methods of the Directors Fully Ex-
piained-It is Believed That Perivier
WIN Pass Severe Sentences.

PARIS, Jan. 1.-THE evidence so far IN
the Panama trial is regarded as assuring
conviction. The report Of M. Flory, the
government accountant, contends that
the responsibility for the Panama
frauds and deception rests upon the whole
board OF Panama directors, because hav-
ing squandered the share capital, they
concealed the real situation by false state
ments In order to obtain subscriptions,
and protect their own interests. Nj.
Flory's report leaves no doubt as to the
deliberate character OF the deception prac-
ticed upon the public.
The public are already beginning to dis
cuss the sentences that will be passed up
on the DE Lessepses and their associates In
the event of conviction. 1t Is believed
that President Perivier will pronounce
severe penalty, as from the first he has
exhibited considerable indignation toward
the accused. Perivier has the reputation
of being perfectly honest man, incapa
BILE OF being swayed by outside influences,
however powerful, and not inclined To
cover up the guilt OF anyone, however in
fiuential. His decisions have always com
manded the respect of the people, as well
as OF the bar.
M. Pierre Denis, the faithful follower
and defender OF General Boulanger to the
last, has
Some Curious .ReveIations"
TO make about the Panama scandals. He
intends to publish them in his Memorial
de Saint Brelade," which will record re-
miniscences of the defunct general. NJ.
Denis, however, has given a brief extract
from the record which throws light on
the.proceedings that took place at the
cabinent council when Nj. Rousseau's re-
port on the canal was read. The utmost
secrecy was preserved about 1t. Before
opening 1t the ministers made sure that
the ushers who had brought in the lamps
had all gone and locked the doors care
fully after them.
Then a search was made under the ia
bles, and finally all present gave their
promises to keep the report a thorough
secret. Nevertheless, misleading extracts
from the reports were published, as al
ready stated In the Temps. 1t is not be-
lieved that M. Denis will throw much
light upon the subject by his alleged rev.
elations, although, in view of the charges
against NJ. Baihaut and the talk regard
seau report will be- received with great
public Interest.
M. Etinne Martin, once chief secretary
OF the canal company, yesterday, des-
cribed with gusto his experiences while
In office and the scorn he felt for the
Methods of the Directors.
The unvarnished corruptness of the con
tract system, he said, often rendered him
SO indignant that he protested to the
board at their meetings against the scan
dalous abuses with which the whole canal
work was honeycombed.
Eventually he resigned rather than sign
contracts for machinery and supplies
with French firms whose bids, taken to-
gether, were 2S, 900 900 francs higher than
the bids of English and Dutch firms. The
directors had declined to listen to his
protests against this iniquitous bargain
and had left him the alternative OF sign
Ing 1t or resigning; so he resigned.
Everybody In the management of the
company knew that this sort OF work wa
being donei also, that Baron de Renach
and other financial agents were getting
enormous commissions.
NJ. Odelin, city councillor and stove
manufacturer, testified that he had re-
ceived contracts from the Panama Canal
Company and had followed its course
closely, as he had been a rather heavy
shareholder. He had been obliged to deal
with several agents in obtaining each con-
tract. They all demanded or per cent
commission for their good offices. This
rate was so exorbitant that he inferred
the company was being plundered and he
therefore sold all his Panama shares.
M. Landrobie, who examined the books
OF the Panama Canal Company in 1889 and
wrote pamphlet about them, gave his
opinion that excessive amounts were paid
to contractors for work to be done. The
compensation for cancellation of contracts
also
Had Been Exorbitant.
M. Reynier, the canal company's CASH
fer, made q statement as to the expenses
of issues of loans. Careful questioning as
to the names on the vouchers that he
signed, elected only the reply, 81 do not
know"
"Who received the voucher for 100000
francs" asked Judge Perivier.
"I do not know"
"You do not know7 That is strange.
seems to me 1 should have been more
inquisitive II had been in your place."
NJ. Bourdard, the next witness, Is chief
of the Suez Canal Company. He was en-
trusted with part OF the press fund used
by the Panama Company, but when ques-
toned he professed to have forgotten the
names OF all the recipients, as we'll as the
amounts disbursed by him. Judge Peri
vier remarked that he had a very peculiar
memory.
Charles de Lesseps was recalled 20 testi-
~ as to the bonds payable to bearer is.
was white and haggard, his eyes were
bloodshot, and he spoke apparently with
difficulty. He hesitated repeatedly and
often sank his voice so that only persons
within few yards could hear him. Ire