Evening journal., 1893-03-15
A EREE ANn EAsY oouRr.

Those gay, volatile and sensational
French people, who like that sort Of
thing, are having a great deal Of excite
ment and bilsrity out Of the investiga
ting trial Of the Panama canal swindlers
The trial is carried on In a very free
and interesting manner. The lawyers,
witnesses, the judge the ex witnesses
and the members Of the audience all
participating with the most engaging
and comprehensive freedom. The judge
calls witness to the stand who delivers
a speech on any subject that he thinks
will create the greatest sensation, more
or less connected with the legislators
and the Panama scandal, meantime
taking out any private revenges against
his personal or political enemies that
occur to him.
II he accuses anybody of stealing or
bribery, who has not been accused before,
the judge sends for that person and
gives him the same privilege If the
witness accuses or maligns person who
has been accused or maligned before,
that person who is generally at hand,
rises without any formal invitation
60 reply without ceremony It is an ad-
mirably comprehensive arrangement
and, at the present rate Of progress, it
is likely to expose every family skeleton
in Paris.
M. Bourgeoise was perfectly fresh
victim when attacked on Monday. He
was Minister of Justice, but when noti.
fed OF the charges Of Madame Cottu and
invited TO join in the general debate he
resigned his Office and sailed in. NJ
Bourgeoise appeared in court and the
informal proceedings began in seance.
like style thus:
Judge Desjardins-"Mme Cottu has
not said anything against you"
NJ. Bourgeois-"l read the report of
the trial and therefore am here TO deny
the insinuations
Judge sjardins-"The report was
perhaps Inaccurate.
The Advocate Generai-"1f the per-
sonal character OF NJ. Bourgeois had been
called in question without my being able
TO defend it, l. who perhaps owe my
place here TO him, should not have hesi.
tated to resign"
Prolonged murmurs Of approval
greeted this avowal of loyalty, and we're
formally checked by the presiding Judge
NJ. Bourgeois then resumed IL do
not know what this new manmuvre
means / do not even wish to know. But
| feel II may prejudice the disclosure Of
the truth and give rise to the idea that
justice is not free In leaving my office
to protest wished TO say that ] would
not allow the accused to become accusers
nor the minister Of justice himself to be-
come accused.
These words, uttered with frmness
and dignity, caused a manifest sensation
In court, and everybody looked at the
defendants and their counsel to see the
effect produced.
NJ Barbour, rising, said:-
Il do not forget that NJ Bourgeois
was only yesterday the minister of
justice, and l ask him respectfully to say
what manQuvres he aliudes tor
NJ Bourgeoise (sternly). II do not
know, but | am conscious Of them"
NJ Barboux-"Nobody here d0u bted
the sincerity Of Nine Cottu's evidence A"
Charles de Lesseps here arose, and In a
bold manner, IN tones that rang through
the court room, he uttered IN Bour.
geoise attacked me a little while ago
Well, monsieur, here / am, face to face
with you. What have you TO say 70 met"
De Lesseps folded his arms aud looked
defantly at Bourgeois, while violent
uproar among the audience greeted this
sudden ebullitiou on the part Of the
leading defendant, whose conduct up
TO this time had been at least within
the rules Of orderly procedure.
Judge Desjsrdins Indignantly spoke
up. II cannot" he said, "allow these
dialogues The law must be recognized
by all
The audience calmed down and NJ
Bourgeois proceeded % reply In deliber
ate language to M Barbour. 81 have
not, he said, ito discuss the truth of
what NJ Barboux chooses 70 say, but I
affirm in portion the evidence ia which
| was called in question. NJ Soinoury
was not aware Of the facts. His state
ment did not dispose Of the charges
against me. Therefore I am here to
rebut them. The whole affair Is the
result Of q manRuvre, the authors Of