The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-15


PARIS, Feb. Interpretations that tho
sentence OF the prisoners in the Panama
trial would be delivered this afternoon
+ brought eager crowds TO the court of ap--
peals builling before ] O'Clock this morn.
ing The approaches to the court were,
+ filed TO the last niche by noon, aud five,
minutes after the doors we're thrown open
I the room was packed TO sufocation. Pre-.
gliding Judge Perivier read the decision,
after having dismissed the prison - plea
/ that they shou q benefit by the statute of
+ Limitations. The audience listened from
frat to last with oppressive intensity OF
/ interest.
! The charge Of fraudulent proceedings
( against Ferdinand de l.essePs, Charles de
/ Lesseps Henri C0ttu and MRrius FOntans
WAS held 10 be proved. On this point this
/ judgment referred to the companY's
methods in issuing loans, the mendaciOus
! official bulletins and the persistent putting
! done by the press AZ the instance of the
! directors. These practices. The Judgment
stated, when not directly originated or in
dOTsed by the directors. had been con-
nived At by them. Ferdinand de Lessepa,
aifleO AnU ahSkteu DF MS son Charles. NJ.
/ COitu and ". FOntane. had peTsistently
concealed the operations of the canal
/ company in order that the Qnotation OF
shares might not be affected uuiavo;aDlv-
In dealing with Gustav EIllePs breach
Of trust the decision sad that VI EIiiei
had received 10000 600 francs for the
construction of ten locks and had prom
ised to complete them by 1880 Tue evi.
dence had shown that he had not even
purchased the specified materials neces-
sary in the construction Of these Ocks; IN
fact, lac had bought IN France all told but
.2230 francs worth of materials lie
had pretended. furthermore, 20 FIJI the
OBJ igation- he had undertaken, while IN
realty he was simply Incorporating
the funds. In conclusion Judge Perivier
read the sentences:
Ferdinand de Lesseps, Eve yesrs' imprison.
ment aa1 300 francs Gns.
Charles De LeEseps, Ave years imprisonment
and OOO francs fine.
Marius FOntane, two years imprisonment
and so. 0 francs fine.
Hear Cottu two years Imprisonment and
5 COO francs fine.
Gustav EiGel, two years imprisonment aud
2QG0O francs hne.
Immediately after the reading of the
sentences NJ. Eilel left the court room
with his counsel, whom he had instructed
| Charles de Lesseps and Marius Fontane
remained under arrest. Both looked hag-
gard and disheartened ss they deuarted
with Henri Cottu for the Office OF the
public pro- ecutor.
The chamber Of indictments has had
pub irhed it's reasons for throwing out the
true oil found by II. FranqneVille against
VI. R0nvier While admitting that NJ.
Rouvier received the Panama check for
] "a ~
chamber held that no connection had
been established heiw en- the acceptance
of the money and NJ. Rouvier's vote on
the lottery loan bill.
Scenes at and Alter the Sentence.
The sentencing Of the prisoners in the
Panama trials caused the utmost conster-
nation.
Charles lie Lesseps Was calm during the
recital OF the decision. but burst into tears
when lie heard the sentence
passed upon his father. NJ.
Fontane was prostra ted. Charles de
Lesssps sent telegram to Lachesnaye
informing Nine. de Lesseps OF the result
of the t-ial. Nine. de Lesseps probably
viii not communicate the news 10 her
husband unless compelled by circum-
stances TO do so. The general be ief Is
tina, the sentence will never be executed
against him.
The fines imposed were the utmost
legal penalty, but they Will not prevent
action at law to recover tie money
sQunndsred. The only possible Rp-
peal from the decision given today
Is one OF the court of cessation for the re-
vision OF tire tentence. If any legal haw
can be found in the trial such an appeal
viii undoubtedly be taken in each case.
The excitement caused by the an
nouncement of the sentences in the
parliamentary Hobbies. on the streets ana
the cafes surpassed ANYTHING of the kind
since the opening OF the Panaa.a investi-
CATION. The newspaper booths were be-
seged by crowds fighting for the successive
special editions. Newspa pers sold like
wIldfrs ami az fast "a read were thrown TO
the pavement as the buyers fastened
back TO secure copies conta ming later
news. TIE complete ab.ence OF sympa-
thy for Charles de Lrsseps has been
especially note worthy. The popular YER
dict seems TO be Il at lac has paid the PEN
atty for Withholding the names of Toyalist
deputies who were implicated in the Pam
am bribery.
The worst feature of the situation is that
the sentences have failed 20 dispel the
suspicious and the doubt OF the peonls as
to the honesty of the governments inten-
tions. TIE contrast between the treatment
accorded 10 NJ. Rouyisr and that TO
which the directors have ben subjected
is the result of much bitter criticism.
The government is expected 10 call for
vote OF confidence on Saturday or Mon
day. The prevalent opinion is that
the Ribot cabinet will be per-
mitted to remain in Office until
the budget shall have been voted. The
Cavaienac incident has been variOuSlv ex-
planned. Some saw that il was due TO a
plan of CSrnOt. Casimir, Perier and
Cavsgnac 10 render superlu0us Glenn
encesu's role of a wrecker OF ministries.
THIRTY YEARS UNBURlED.