The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-09
FRANCES DOODLE KINGS.
OPENING OF THE TRIAL OF THE
ACCUSED IN TIE AsSIzBs.

ACCUSED IN TIE A5Sl2BS.
Bx-Minister Proust, Deputy Faufon-
nirie, Senator Beral, Ministers
Gobron and Blondin, Charles de Les
seps, M. Fontsine and Ex-Ninister
Bsihut Arraigned-The Last Named
Admits Hls Guilt-Nature OF the
Accusations.
PARIS, March S.--The assizs court room
and the approaches to the Palais de Justice 9
were crowded this morning, the occasion
being the opening OF the trial Of ex-Minister
and Deputy Antonin Proust, Deputy Dugue
de la Faufonnirie, Senator Beral, Ministers
Gobron and NJ. Blondin, Charles de Lesseps,
Fontaine and sK- Minister Baihaut on charges
Of corruption in connection with the
Panama lottery bonds bill Among the
spectators were NJ. Clemenceau, NJ Floquet
and M. Shelter the former president of the
Chamber Of Deputies as well as several
members Of the committee of the Chamber
OF Deputies delegated 20 watch the trial.
Sixty witnesses lad been summoned.
Charles de Lesseps, Marius Fonteine and NJ.
Baihut, ex-minister of public works, had
been brought to the court under guard. NJ.
Baihut looked worn and depressed, and the
| others had an air OF embarrassment aud dis
tress.
BAIHUT's HIGH PRICE.
The indictment sets forth that notes were
found among the papers Of Charles dc Les
seps showing that NJ Baihut asked for
| 100000 francs for introducing the Panama
bill In the chambers. The measure was laid
on the table In the Chamber of Deputies on
| June II, and on the same day Charles do
| Lesseps issued two cash vouchers, the
amount OF which Fontaine received on the
following day. On receiving the money NJ.
Fontaine Immediately handed 250, 600 francs
| to Nj. Blondin, who took the money to NJ.
| Baihut at the Senate chamber. On June 81
Nj. Blondin paid M. Baihut the further sum
| OF 125, 900 francs.
BAIHUT ADMITS THE CHARGES.
M. Baihut. after at first denying these
| facts, finally admitted them, and also adj
mitted that he had applied the sums OF
| $4,000 and 5000 francs to the purchase Of
Italian securities The indictment con-
cludes by detailing various charges against
| NJ. Fontaine aud Charles de I4esseps, who
were accused of influencing M. Baihut, and
also OF having induced M. Arton and the
| late Baron Reinach 20 corrupt senator's and
| deputies. M. Baihut is accused of having
received money for performing an
act In the execution OF his duty,
| regarding which he was not entitled 20 paw
ment. NJ Blondin is charged with being
| party to the corruption of NJ. Baihut. NJ.
| Arton, who is not under arrest, is included
| In the indictment on the charge OF corrupt-
ing legislators and Deputy Sans Leroy is
charged, like NJ Baihut. with having res
oeived money to influence his action as a
public official.
DE LEssEPs' EXPERIENCE WITH HERz
Charles de Lesseps In reply 90 questions OF
| Judge des Jardins recounted his experience
In endeavoring to induce the government to
| introduce in the chambers "a bill authoriz.
| ing the issue of the lottery bonds NJ Herr
| had made direct demand for money and
Lesseps had seen evidence that Herr was
too powerful TO be denied. ''We could not
| make an enemy Of tho sleeping partner in
| La Justice, M. Clemenceaus paper,n said
NJ. de Lesseps.
A DENIAL BY DE LEssEPs.
De Lesseps denied that be knew that any
| OF the money paid out by him TO Baron
| Reinach was to be used in bribinR
| officials whose names were found on
the stubs of proper checks. Baron Refnach,
he said, used Panama money to pay his per-
sonal debts. Questioned a. to his re-
| lahons with Arton, the lobbyist,
| De Lesseps said: II had no direct
dealing with the man. He came to me
| with Baron Reinach as the representative
| OF M. Flouquet. Both said that the cam
| paign in Nord against Gen. Boulanger was
very active and that l could render M.
| Blouquet great service by setting aside
| 1000 francs for purposes which be would
indicate. replied that M. Flouquet hims
| self must make the request. The next day
M. Arton told me that Flouquet wished to
| see me.
81 met M. Flouquet an hour later and be
| reported to me less bluntly what NJ Arton
| had already said TO him. IL | could
not make the sacrifice, he said,
his feelings toward the company would
not be changed. but be was
anxious TO have me help him in the matter
| as far as felt able to do So / thought It
| would not be prudent to refuse to do suoh
an honorable gentleman service" Laugh
| ter