The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-22
FATE OF THE BOODLERS.
DE LEssRPs, BAIHUT AND ELOND!N
FOUND GUILTY.

The Others ACQuitted-De Lesseps
Sentenced to Serve one Year on
currently With the Five Previously
Imposed-Baihut Sentenced to Serve
Five Years and TO Pay a Fine OF
$4,000 Francs-Blondiu Let on
with One Year.
PARIS, March 21.-Interest in the Panama
trials has waned considerably during the
week, and the Rssize court. before which
the defendants are being tried, has not been
as crowded during the latter days OF the
trial as it was on the opening days. For
three or four days past the counsel for the
defendants have engaged in defense of their
respective clients, and to-day Nj. Demange
spoke for Antonin Proust. Upon the con-
cluslon of DemRnRe's address, the cases were
given 90 the jury After a comparatively
short absence the jury returned TO the
court room, which had in the meantime
filed up with a crowd OF persons who
learned that the trials were approaching a
close, and, after the usual legal prelimi-
nsries, announced that Charles de Lesseps,
accused of oorrupting ex-Minister Of Public
Works Baihut to support the Panama lottery
bJAANlh UAiA, ltu DEeu AOunu KuLlhy LuhE M.
Bsihut, who had confessed his guilt in
open court, had also been found guilty, and
that M. Blondin, the go-between in the
bribery OF nj. Baihut was also guilty.
THE OTHERS ACQUITTED.
The other defendants were declared not
guilty. These were Marius Fontaine a
Panama canal director; Sans Leroy, an ex-
deputy, who was accused OF changing his
vote in the committee on the Panama bill
as the result OF bribery; Senator Beral,
accused Of being bribed by Baron Reinaoh,
and Deputies Dugue, De la Fsuconnerie,
GohTon and Antouin Proust, who were
accused of corruption.
The court sentenced M. Baihut 20 impris-
onment for five years. to pay fine of
10000 francs and to the less OF his civil
rights.
NJ. Blondin WAS sentenced to imprison-
mont for two years and Charles do Lesseps
TO imprisonment for one year, the one year
to run concurrently with the five years
sentence already imposed on him.
All three of the convicted prisoners were
condemned to pay the costs aud damages
demanded by the civil parties TO the pro-
CeediDRs.
The sentences OF Charles de Lessops and
M. Blondin we're made comparatively light
On the ground Of eXtenuating circumstances
in their cases.
The court also ordered De Lesseps Blondin
and Bathut TO pay to NJ. Monchioourt,
liquicator of the Panama Canal Company
1000 francs, the amount taken from the
treasury Of the company and paid to M.
Baihut for his influence in favor of the
lottery loan bill.
DE LEssEPs GREATLY AFFECTED.
Charles de Lesseps received his sentence
calmly. although she strain Of she trial has
rendered him exceedingly hARgsrd and
nervous. When he rose, before the retire
ment OF jury, 20 reaffirn his innocence he
spoke with difficulty and occasionally hesi-
tated for almost a minute to compose his
feelings. He told the jury, with apparent
earne8tness, that hs had always tried
to do his duty as a director OF the company
and that where he had erred in Judgment
he had supposed that he was acting for the
best interests Of the canal and the state He
repeated briefly bis charges Of extortion
against NJ. ,BRihut and alluded with gen
uine emotion TO the troubles which
had overtaken his father. 10 his
testimony he had told the truth, and
his conscience was clear of self
reproach. Although visibly shaken by his
feelings several times during his speech TO
the Jury, the calmness which be gained
toward the close lasted through the read
ing Of the verdict, the delivering OF his
sentence, and his return to his cell. When
his wife visited him In his cell shortly after
ward he broke down and weps like a child.
BAIHUT ALSO BREAKS DOWN.
NJ Baihut talked for an hour in his cell
with his wife and two daughters. Despite
the hopelessness OF his case, be evidently
was unprepared to bear the full weight of
his sentence, for during the interview with
his family be sobbed repeatedly and begged
their forgiveness for the disgrace that he
had brought upon them.
M. Blondin was hardly less affected when
he bade good-by TO his son and daughter.