The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-10
THE TERRIFIC REPORT
OF A BOMB EXPLODED ~ THE
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
Causes The Widest Excitement, But Hap
PLY There Were No Fatal Results
Ladies' and Deputies Wounded.

Wnen no matter or great Importance rs
to be considered, were in their seats. and
the business of the House was proceed
ing sleepiy. The galleries contained a
number of visitors, including some ladies.
who watched the proceedings with little
interest. In the gallery above the benches
occupied by the members of the Right
were a number of strangers, none OF
whom had attracted any attention. when
they entered the gallery and had seats
assigned to them.
In the course Of the business of the
House the election OF Mierman came up
for discussion. Mierman had been speak
ing from the tribune, and had just de-
scended TO resume his seat. when man
in the gallery threw bomb towards the
floor of the House. The bomb must have
had time fuse attached TO 1t, for as
It passed the head OF professor Lemire,
deputy for Hazebruck, II exploded, with
d terrific report. dense cloud OF smoke
and dust ascended, shutting out from
view, for q time, those sitting in the
body OF the House. For q single instant
the House was perfectly quiet and then
the members and others, realizing what
had occurred, there was the widest eX-
citement. The officers detailed 10 guard
the chamber were the first TO regain their
senses. They shut the great doors lead
ing to the Chamber. to prevent the escape
OK the bomb thrower. The people in the
galleries fed in disorder fearing that
other bombs would be thrown. They were
in a state bordering on frenzy, and
almost fell over each other in their wild
haste 10 get out of the building. One
lady, who IL was subsequently learned
was an American, had been hit on the
forehead by piece of the casing OF the
bomb, and she fled with blood streaming
over her face.
On the floor of the House the excite
n.ent was fully as great as that In the
gallery. Many of the members rushed
for the exits, fearing every moment 10
hear another explosion. NJ. Dupuy the
president Of the Chamber, was apparent
ly the coolest man in the Chamber. Two
ladies. besides the American, In the
lower gallery and a man sitting beside
the bCmb-thrower were also wounded.
The deputies wounded were Professor
Able Lemire, Count Paul Henri Ian
iuinais and NJ. Leffel.
Professor Lemire Is a Catholic Socialist.
He was elected 10 represent the first
district of Hazebruck. and this Is his
first term OF service In the Chamber of
Deputies. He is professor Of rhetoric, at
the College OF ST. Francois D'Assise. at
Hazebruck. He is the author Of ireland
I'm Austria" and Cardinal Manning, his
Social Influence" He upholds theories
advanced by Count de Meun. Count
Paul Henri Lanjulnais is Union Conser-
vative NJ. Leffel is a Republican, Is an
ex-lieutenant of the navy, and sits Tor
Chinin. The excitement among the mem
befs, wild though it was, did not last
long. The wounded were taken 70 com-
mittee rooms, and medical assistance
hafUR
some Of the reporters picked up from the
floor pieces of metal and number or
horse shoes. that had evidently been
mart Of the contents Of the bomb
Opposite the gallery from which the
bomb was thrown IS the gallery de-
voted 10 the use Of the foreign press
representative. 4 number of them who
were I'm the gallery, said they thought
when they heard the explosion, that some
one had discharged a revolver on the
floor Of the Chamber. The report was
loud and the flash Of light 50 brilliant
however. that they were quickly con
vinced of their mistake. The dust raised
by the explosion was so thick mat the
clothing OF everybody in the Champer
presented an ashy appearance.
As soon as the smoke and dust had
cleared away the members resumed thelr
seats. and business proceeded. MontIord
ascended the tribune and in periecuy
steady voice took up the discussion OF
the question before the House as thousn
nothing out OF the ordinary had occurred
When the discussion had been nnlshtu,
Casimir Perier, the Prime Minister, said
that ne did not wish 10 interrupt the Dusi-
nfes OF the Chamber. but he felt COM
peIled to assure the House that the gov
ernment would do its duty
Dupuy said that he and the ehtlre
Chamber desired that their sympathy De
conveyed 10 the wounded.
After the sitting was ended, the members
OF the Chamber, journalists, and VISITORS
gathered I'm the lobbies and eNcltedly uls-
cussed the outrage. 1t was imposslDle Ior
them 10 leave the building, as owing 70
orders from the police, nobody was al
lowed egress until half past o'clock.
and even then they were not permitted TO
leave until they had given satisfactory
proof OF their identity.
When Dupuy, President or the Chamber,
descended from the chair and crossed
the Sale de la Paix, he was given an ova-
ton. owing to his unmoved serenity when
the bomb burst.
one report has it that twenty-five or
thirty persons were wounded. In MS
speech I'm the Chamber after the explo-
sion this afternoon, Premier Casimir
Perter closed with the words: Society
has laws with which 70 defend Itself
against such crimes as the one just com
mitted. and We shall not hesitate 10 use
them to protect our institutions"
When the Chamber rose at o'clock,
this official report OF the explosion ana
what followed, was found posted In the
lobby: "The moment Deputy Mierman
descended from the Speakers tribune, the
explosion occurred. Trembling with emo
tion. the President OF the Chamber said:
such outrages cannot disturb the Cham
Der. We shall continue our labors. and ar
ter we exhaust the order OF the day. the
Chamber OF Deputies will do its duty IN
regard TO the outrage
The members talked excitedly OF the
EXPLOSION. as they fingered after the ad-
iournment IN the lobbies and corridors.
The Socialists apparently were eager 10
clear themselves OF all reproach. Jules
Guesde. leader Of the extreme Socialist
group gesticulated wildly at half a dozen
men. who were shouting accusations at
him. As the Conservative Deputy Gam
ard passed. Guesde rushed at him and
exclaimed: This is all your fault. 1f
YOU had made us any concessions, II
never would have happened
Clement, Commissary Of Police, who
was in the Chamber half an hour after
the explosion occurred. and had already
collected much evidence before the Cham
ber adjourned, said. 1.-The bomb is said
generally to give out a flame like that
from a Roman candle. 1t must have
contained nitro glycerine. Fortunately
II burst In mid-air. II II had touched
the floor, where II was aimed to strike,
the destruction OF life would have been
terrible. II seems to have been loaded
la Hov vfn
heads These nails have been found In
-..a..r mart of the Cha nnher "