The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-22
W. DE LEssEPS GUILTY.
The Jury Finds This Verdict in the Panama
Trial

PARIS. March 2i-Interest in the Pana-
ma trials has waned considerably during
the week. and the assize court. before
which the defendants are being tried.
has not been as crowded during the lat
ter days Of the trials as It was on the
opening days. For three or four days
past counsel for the defendants have
argued I'm defense of their respective
clients and to-day NJ. Demange spoke
for Antonin Proust Upon conclusion of
NJ. Demange's address the cases were
given TO the jury. After a compa ratively
short absence the Jury returned TO the
courtroom, which had in the meantime
illed UP with a crowd Of persons who
learned that the trials were approaching
a close. and after the usual legal pre-
liminaries. announced that Charles de
Lesseps, accused OF corrupting ex-Min-
lister OF Public Works Baihaut 10 support
the Panama Lottery Bonds bill. had been
found guilty; that NJ. Baihaut, who had
confessed his guilt in open court. had
also been found guilty. and that VI. Blon-
din. the gO-betWeen in the bribery Of NJ.
Baihaut, was also guilty. The other de-
PENDANTS We're declared not guilty These
were: Marius Fontane, Panama canal
director; NJ. Sans Leroy ex-deputy, who
was accused OF changing his vote in COM
OF bribery; Senator Beral, accused Of
being bribed by Baron Reinach and De-
puties Dugue De Lii FaucOnnerie, GObron
and AntOnin PrOust, who were accused Of
corruption. The court sentenced N. Raj
haut TO Imprisonment for five years, and
10 pay a fine OF 10000 francs. and to the
loss Of civil rights. NJ. Blondin was sem
fenced to imprisonment for two years,
and Charles de Lesseps to Imprisonment
for one year, the one year 10 run con-
currently with the five years sentence
already imposed on him All three OF the
convicted prisoners were condemned to
pay the costs and damages demanded by
the civil parties 10 the proceedings. The
sentences Of Charles De Lesscps and BlOn-
din were made comparatively light on
the ground Of extenuating circumstances
In their cases.
The court also ordered NJ De Lesseps,
NJ Bondin and VI. Baihaut to pay to VI.
Monchicourt liquidator Of the Panama
Canal Company, $4,000 francs the amount
taken from the treasury Of the com
psuy and paid 10 NJ. Balhaut for his inhu-
ence In favor OF the Lottery Loan bill
Charles De Lesseps received his sem
tence calmly. although the strain Of the
trial has rendered him exceedingly hag-
gard and nervous. When he rose. before
the retirement OF the jury. 10 reafiirm his
innocence, ne spoke with dlfuCulty, ana
occasionally hesitated for almost a minute
10 compose his feelings. He told the jury
with apparent earnestness that he had
always tried to do his duty as director
OF the company. and that where he had
erred In judgment he had supposed that
he was acting for the best interests OF the
canal and the State. lie repeated briefly
his charges OF extortion against NJ. Bal
haut and alluded with genuine emotion
10 the troubles which had overtaken his
father. In his testimony he had told the
truth and his conscience was clear OF
self-reprOach. Although visibly shaken
by his feelings several times during his
speech 10 the jury the caimness which
ne gained towards the close lasted
through the reading Of the verdict, the
delivering Of his sentence and his return
TO his cell When his wife visited him in
his cell shortly afterwards ne broke down
and wept Ike a child.
NJ Baihaut talked for an hour in his
cell with his wife and two daughters.
Despite the hopelessness Of his case he
evidently was unprepared 10 bear the full
weight OF his sentence, for during the IN
terview with his family he sobbed re-
peatedly and begged their forgiveness for
the disgrace that he had brought upon
them. NJ. Blondin was hardly less af-
fected when he bade goodbye TO his
son and daughter.