New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-14
M. BOURGEOIS ON THE STAND.
REPUDIATING THE ALLEGED INSINU ATOMS
IN NINE. COTTU'S EVIDENCE.

IN NINE. COTTU'S EVIDENCE.
A SENSATIONAL INTERRUPTION BY CHARLES
COURTROOM NJ. soINOURY swEARS
THAT NO MINISTER WAS REsPoX-
sIBLE FOR HIS INTERVIEW
WITH NINE. CoTTU-M.
GoLIARDs PART IN
THE MEETING.
Paris. March l3.-Thc approaches to the Palais
de Justice were thrOnged to-day by excited
crowds, representing all classes. There has not
been such excitement in Paris since the beginning
Of the Panama scandal. The courtroom was
thronged with as many as could obtain admit
tance The prisoners seemed themselves revived
by the new interest which their case had
awakened.
NJ Bourgeois, late Minister of Justice. took the
stand amid murmurs of excitement on the part
Of the audience. NJ Bourgeois spoke with firm
ness and energy, and showed disposition rot 10
reserve anything that could explain his position
toward the Panama case and the defendants
He emphatically repudiatcd all the inslnuations
contained in the evidence OF Nine Cottu II"
denied having authorized anybody TO act IN his
behalf. He said that it only from motives
OF humanity that he had permitted Nine. Cottu
to see her husband. Il never heard anything.
exclaimed NJ. Bourgeois, of the interviews be
tween Nine. Cottu and NJ Soinoury until the
statements were made in court The insinuatlons
are simph, infamous falsehoods. l never gave
any order calculated to induce the officers oi
Justice to shirk their duty, or to do anything
contrary to law
Judge Desiardins-Mme. Cottu has not sald any
thing against you.
NJ Bonrceos-I read the report Of the trial,
and. therefore, / am here to deny the insinua-
tons
Judge Desjardns-The report was perhaps, In
accurate.
The Advocate Gcneral-If the personal charac-
ter of NJ Bourgeois had been called in question
without my bcing able to defend it, ], who per-
hans owe nv place here TO him, should not have
hesitatcd 10 resign.
Prolonged murmurs of approval greeted this
ovowal Of LOYALTY. and formally checked by
the presiding Judge.
NJ bourgeois then resumed: IL DO not Kno"
what this new mdnocuvre means, no salh'
do not even wish 10 know, but ! 1eel ~ may
prejudice the disclosure Of the truth and give rSc
70 the idea that Justice is not free In leaving
my Office 10 protest wished 10 say that woniu
NOT allow the accused to become accusrrs' nor
cha Minister If Justice himself 20 become accused
These words. uttered with frmness and dignity,
coused a manifest sensation in court, and every
bodv looked at the defendants and their counsel
to see the effect produced.
NJ Barboux. rising, said: Il do not forget
that NJ Bourgeois was only yesterday the Niih-
istcr of Justice and i ask him respectfully TO say
what manocuvres lie refers TO-"
NJ Bourgeois ls,crnlyJ-I do not know, but am
conscious of them.
NJ Parboux-Nobody hero doubted the sincerity
of Nine Cottu's evidence.
Charles dc Lcsscps here arose, and in nold
manner. in tones that rang through the court
room, exclaimed: M Bourgeois attacked me
a little while ago. Well, Monsieur, here am'
face TO face with you-what have you 10 say 10
me-"
DE Lessons folded his arms and looked dehan'ly
at Bourgeois. while violent uproar among the
audience greeted this sudden cpuiii'ion vi '"'
part Of the leading defendant.
Judge Dcsjardins Indignantly spoke up.
cannot, he said. allow these dialogues. lhe
law must be recognized by ALL
Tho audience Gained down, and VI. Bourgcois
rrocncdod to reply in deliberate language 10 VI
Rarbouy 4" have not, he began, 10 dlscuSs 'he
truth of what NJ Barboux chooses 10 say VI
>oinoury was not aware Of the facts Ills STATE
,nent did not dispose of the charges against INC
Therefore / am here to rebut them. he "l'oic
affair is the result of manoeuvre, the authors
Of which 10 not know"
With this NJ bourgeois retired from the wit
ness stand and Nine. Cottu was recalled. She
declared that Goard bad told her he would see
NJ Bourgeois in regard TO her.
NJ Golard followed Nine Cottu on the stand,
and confirmed her statement to the ci'ect 'ha' Nv
lad told her he would see NJ Bourgeois but.
tlnri1n md ma n sIV
Goljard also testified that he knew the secretary
If N Henri Cottu. and it was at the inilative
of the secretary that he saw Police Comlnlssary
Nicolc. with the view Of ehectng an arrange
,nept between the Government and the Panama
diroctors This interview led 70 the discus'lohs
,ynich took place between Mime. Cottu anu NJ
Soinoury chief of the detective department. LIE
witness said that he acted entirely on MS OWL
responsibility in bringing about these interviews
VI Eourrcois arose and exclaimed: III any
one knows that acted contrary to the dictates
Of honor let him speak.
A. thcsc words the uproar in the audience was
,oncwcd many as was evident from Their mlrinur'
and ordinations, taking part with VI. bourgeois
and Others with his accrscr-. Judge Desaruih'
concluded that the most effective way to all1y the
excitement to suspend the hearihe' ana ''
oaye an orhcr to that effect. 1t took some tlne
however for the cOmmotiOn TO subsid"
When the hearing resumed, NJ. Soinonry
was recalled lie made a long statement to the
effect that neither VI. Bourgeois nor any othcr
Minister was in any way responsible for his IN
tcrvicw with Nine Cottu He himseT had origi-
mated the idea of conference with her, ana had
arranged the meeting without communicating
with his superiors. For professional reasons lie
had deemed it best TO keep the matter secret
Ic believed that he was only doing his duty IN
irving 10 get at the centre of the scandal. Inc
charges that he had threatened Nine. Cottu or had
promisd her any favors in return for iniorma-
ton which she might give him were utterly false