The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-03-11
EMINENT SUSPECTS.
Probing Corrupt Deals in the Pam
anna Lottery Scheme.
EX-PREMIER FLoQUETs TESTIMONY.
He and M. Clemenceau Deny Charles de
Lesseps' Allegations That They were
Indirectly Responsible for Crooked
transactions with Baron de Reinaoh.

Lesseps' Allegations That They were
Indirectly Responsible for Crooked
transactions with Baron do Reinaoh.
PARIS. March I'm. Flory. the govern
ment accountant who had been appointed
60 examine the accounts of the Panama
Canal company. was called upon to testify
yesterday in the Panama canal trial. He
repeated in the main the figures and
statements already given in his published
report. lie estimated that the Panama
Canal company had expended 105,000,OO0
francs in payment for newspaper adver-
tising and for favorable notices in the
newspapers, and other services connected
with the general putting of the enterprise.
About 55S00oG00 francs, being less than
half the total amount subscribed, had been
expended in the actual operations on the
canal, the present assets amounting to
00,O0o,0Go francs,
Deputy Chantagrel Justified that NJ.
Souiligon, civil engineer who did the
work Oh the isthmus, came to him one
day with an offer OF 10000 francs for his
vote on the lottery loan bill. When he de-
clincd the bribe NJ. Souligon added that
Charles de Lesseps had authorized him to
offer any sum up to 100000 francs for NJ.
Chantagrel's vote He refused to accept
the 300, 600, although NJ. Souligon argued
with him for some time so as to induce
him to accept the money.
Ex-Premier FIoquct's Testimony.
After testimony by NJ Stephane, clerk
for Baron de Reinach's partner, and NJ.
Deschamps, Il member of the chamber of
deputies, Charles Floquet, ex-premier and
ex-president of the chamber of deputies.
was called He was nervous and pale. Be-
fore examining him Judge Jesdarines had
Charles de Lesseps repeat his testimony as
to the contribution of 100000 francs made
at Nj. Floquet's request by the Panama
company to the fund of the campaign
against Boulanger in the Department of
the Nord. In concluding his statement NJ
dc Les@eps said Il render all homage to
the delicaey and loyalty which distin-
guished NJ. Floquet's conduct, but | de-
clare positively that he made to me the eX-
act proposals already nude for him by
by Arton"
NJ t'loquet replied at once In loud but
unnatural tone; Il repeat the denial
already made by me. As NJ de Lesseps
! puts the matter, was much worse than if
had brought pressure to bear upon him, rs
he complains everybody else did, In his
testimony he has forgotten, however, that
did not assume office until April 8, 1883,
and that the election took place on April
u, the voting Oh the lottery loan bill on
the 2ith.n
Nevertheless, we have proofs that
Baron de Reinnch sent out the money
under your ministry" ihterpolated Charles
de Lesseps
u do not understand what you mean"
replied NJ. Eloquet
Tho Court Room Cleared.
Loud protests came from the body of the
court, and several persons shouted, "rel
the truth" The presiding Judges cal for
order only evoked more shouts, and his
voice was lost in the uproar as he threat
encd to have the courb cleared Both NJ
de l4esseps and NJ. Floquet tried to make
statements, but neither could be heard
more than few feet away. Each denied
fully the truth of what the other said. but
ohly the reporters caught their words
As the din increased Judge Jesdarnes or
dered that the court room be cleared, and.
amid babel ofvoices shouting reproaches
and aneiisatians at the jndges. tho audience
was driven ont by the ushers
When order was restored NJ de Lesse ps
got the first word and said clearly and pos
lively: II repeat that NJ Floquet asked to
see me in regard to the report that Baron
dc Reinaeh intended to sue the Panama
company and that he advised me to pay
Baron de Reinaeh the large sum demanded
b. him. in order that the government
might not be annoyed by the suit"
Working in the Public Interest.
M. Floquet admitted that he had talked
with de Lesseps regarding the Reinach
suit, but asserted that he was working in
the public interest
NJ Clemeneeau, the next witness, denied
that Cornelius X Herr had secured. as
testified by Charlesde Lesseps some Co., COO
francs for the favor of la Justice toward
the canal company. He and NJ. Rano,
editor OF The Paris, had spoken with NJ.
de Freyeinet to Reinnch's threatened
action against the Panama people, because
they feared that the action might cause
the collapse of the canal enterprise, and
that such II collapse would be used to un-
settle the republic.
NJ de freyeinet, locking tired and har-
aased, followed NJ. Clemenceau on the
stand. 81 sent for Charles de Lesseps,"
he said, Sin the interest of the public
With the same interest at heart | advised
him to avoid a law suit with Baron de
Reinach.
Asked to confirm or deny this statement
Charles lie Lesseps said: Il do not and
have not disputed that VI. de Freycinet
spoke to me in the interest of Il Q public
l. was in the same interest that l gave
Renaeh Millions,
Court then adjourned.