The morning call., 1893-02-11
HIS HONORS GONE.
Heaping Disgrace Upon De
Lesseps.
THE COURTS CONDEMN HIM.
But in the Hearts of the French
People He Is Still Venerated
as an Idol.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

PARIS, Feb. 10.-ShouId the Court OF Cas-
sation reject the appeal of Ferdinand de
Lesseps against the decision of the Court
of Appeal his name will be stricken from
the lists Of the Institute and Of the Legion
of Honor.
Public opinion is substantially unanimous
to the effect that the ignominious judgment
passed upon Count Ferdinand de Lesseps
went beyond the requirements OF justice.
The newspapers consider the sentences
very severe. especially that of Ferdinand de
Lesseps.
The Figaro demands pardon for the man
who has been one of the glorles OF France.
The Journal des Debats says: To imagine
the striking down of the creator OF the Suez
canal in his declining days to salve the pub
lie conscience. shows a great misconception
of the opinion OF the nation.
The Radical La Lanterne declares the
country Itself has sustained a blow from
the sentence which Is useless in fact and
excessive in law.
The Republican Steele protests against
the sentence, and adds: GLORY is thing
so rare and precious that the nation cannot
too carefully guard it,"
The Royalist Gaulois deplores the decision
40 HutOC viii lu6 DODiCot lUFCnuo
of the French people.
The Independent Matin says the decree
marks day of ingratitude in the life of the
historical personages concerned in the trial.
Their names will be illumined in the eyes
Of posterity by the light of their deeds, and
their snfferings will leave no apprecable
stain. being merely judicial accident.
The Radical La Justice. Clemenceau's
IL. Eordf
nand de Lesseps as severe. AS to The other
sentences La Justice points out that other
contractors were in exactly the same posi-
tion with Eiffel. and the official liquidator
OF the Panama Canal Company ought to
proceed against them all for the recovery OF
the SUMS they unlawfully claimed and ap-
proprated.
Drumont writes to La Libre Parole, the
Extremist organ. which was largely nstru-
mental in making the prosecution of the
Panama directors inevitable. that in face of
the severe sentences there is only room for
one feeling, namely. pity.
Cottu and Charles de Lesseps have de-
cided to appeal from yesterdays judgment.
Eitfel gave notice yesterday that be would
do so.
The discoptent caused by the dismissal in
the chamber Of the indictments of true bills
found for corruption against Rouvier and
others has moved the Parliamentary CON-
mission 10 a renewal of its activity. The
commission now proposes to summons all
Deputies VINO have been accused OF cOrrup-
ton.
Ex- Minister Baihut, Senator de Berat ex-
Minister and Deputy Antonin Proust.
Deputy Dugue de la FausOnnerie, ex-Dep-
uiy Corron. Charles de Lesseps. NJ. Marius
Fontans, Henri Cottu and M. Blondin
were srraigned to-day on charges of cor
rupton in connection with the Panama lot
terry bonds.
The indictment sets forth that note was
found among the papers Of Charles de Les
seps showing that Baihut asked for 1000.-
coo francs for introducing the Panama bill
in the Chambers. The measure was laid on
the table in tie Chamber of Deputies June
II, and the same day Charles de Lesseps is
sued two cash vouchers. the amount Of which
Fontane received on the following day. On
receiving the money Fontane Immediately
handed over quarter OF million francs to
Bl0ndin, who took the money TO Bahut at
the Senate chamber. On the Dist Of June
Blondin paid Baihut further sum of 125. 600
francs. Baihut at first denied these iactS.
but finally admitted them. He also adj
mitted that he applied 120O00 francs and
$4,000 francs 10 the purchase of Italian
rentes.
The indictment concludes by detailing
various charges against Fontane and Charles
de Lesseps, who are accused of bribing
Baihut, and also of having induced Arton
and the late Baron Reincah TO corrupt the
Senators and Deputies.