Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-14
LIKE THE COMMUNE.
ANGRY TALK AND UGLY scOWLS OF
THE FARiS POPULACE.
No Such Excitement Since tho Beginning
of Panama scandai-,I. bourgeois res.
tlfies-Madame Cottu Recalled.
tBy Anclo-AmcrIcan cnblc to the Dispatch.l

IBy AnglO-Amcrican cnble 70 me Dtspttcp.i
PAnIs. March lS.-The approaches to the
PGlais de Justice were thronged to-day
with excited crowds. There has not been
such excitement in Paris since the begin
ming of the Panama scandal. The crowds
we're composed of ali classes. from the
militant Socialist to the wealthy merchant
and iinancier, and there was an omlnous
murmur of angry talk and menacing
frowns on the faces OF the lower classes IN
the throng that reminded one OF the days
preceding the Commune.
Ihe courtroom was thronged with as
many "a could obtain admIttance. Inc
prisoners seemed themselves reVlveu py
the interest which their case mad a"ah-
ened, and some thought that tue features
Of Charles de Lessep5 core iooh Oh
triumph, while even Baihaut looked less
crushed than ct any time previous since
his pitiful confession.
NJ. Goliard testified that he knew the
secretary of Henri Cottu and IT was at tue
initiative Of tie secretary tnat ne So"
Pohce-C Commissioned Nic0lle with the
view Of eAectlng an arrangement between
the government and the Panama directors.
I his interview led to the discussions
which took place between Madame Cottu
and N. SOinoury, chief Of the detective
department.. The witness said that he
acted entirely on his own responsibility IL
bringing about the interviews.
NJ. BOURGEOIS TEsrT1Ts.
VI. Bourgeois, late Minister OF Justice,
next took the stand amid murmurs ot ex-
citcment on the part of the audience. NJ.
Bourgeois spoke With iirnness and energy
and showed a disposition not 10 reserve
anything that could explain his position
toward the Panama-caDal case and the de-
pendants. He eInphatically repldiated
all tie insinuations contained III the evi-
dencc of Madame COttu. he denied having
authorized anybody 70 act IN hls behalf.
! lie SAID that he had only permitted Madame
Cottu TO see her husband trOm motives Ok
humanity.
Il never heard ANYTHING" exclaimed N.
Bourgeois, "Of tho interview between
| Nine. COttu and VI. SOirOury until the
statements were made IN court The in-
snuations.1 cried VI. Bourgeos earnestly,
ARE simply infamous ialsehOOds never
gave any order calculated to induce the
officers Of justice 10 shIfs thelr duty or TO
| 40 ANYTHING contrary to law"
| NJ. Bcurccois's bold stand won loud Hp-
| plause. lie said the whole AFFAIR was the
/ result Of q man0u uyTe, the author OF which
! he did not know.
/ Nine. Cottu was recalled and declared
| that Gohard had told her he would 20 and
| see NJ. Bourgeois in regard to her.
NJ. Goliard followed Nine. Cottu on tho
stand and confirmed her statement 10 the
effect that he had told her he would see
VI. Bourgeois. but he added, Nobody
| authorized me to say SO.
| VI. Bourgeois arose al1 exclaimed: II
| anv one knows that | acted contrary TO
! the dictates OF honor let him speak. "
| UrroAR ~ THR AUDIENCE.
Al these words .hc uproar in the audi
| ence was renewed. many taking part with
| W. Bourgeois and others with his accusors.
! Judge Desjar1ins concluded that the most
effective way % aliav the excitement was
/ u suspend the hearing. 10 took some
time. however. for the excitement 10 sub
| SIDE.
When the hearing was resumed NJ. Sol
| nOury was recalled. lie made a long state
| ment 20 tho effect thar neither VI. BOur-
| ceois nor any other Minister was IN any
/ WAY responsible for his interview with
! Madame Cottu. lie himself had orsi-
mated the idea OF a conference with sher
| and had arranged the meeting without
communicating with his Guperors. For
| professional reasons he had deemed It best
/ 10 keep the matter secret. lie believed
that he was only doing his duty IN irving
! TO get TO the centre OF the scandal. 4he
charges that he had threatened Madame
! Cottu or had promised h"r any favor -
return for Information which she might
give him were utterly false.
ruv GOVERNMENT sv2l oRTED.
The Chamber OK Deputies 10y a vote Of
| 297 TO g2S has declared Its confidence in
and voted to support the governmenL
! The vote was taken alter an excitlng DC.
bate. IN which NJ. Ribot. the Premier, and
| W. Bourgeois, late Minister ot Jusuce
| took A leading part as snaakars IN defence
Of the course pursued by the government
! in reference to the prosecution or tn,
Panama-canal defendants.