The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-29
THREE ARE FOUND GUILTY.
DE Lesseps, Baihaut and Blondin Sen
fenced, with HEAVY Zines.

De Lesseps, Baihaut and Blondin Sem
fenced, with HEAVY Zines.
PARIS. March 2l.-Interest in the Pana-
ma trials has wansd considerably during
the week, and tho sssize court before
which the defendants are being tried has
not been as crowded during the latter
days OF the trials as IL was on the opening
DAYS. For three or four DAYS past conn
sci for the defendants have argued in de.
tense OF their respective clients, and today
Demange. VINO appeared for Antoine
Proust, presented his reasons why Proust
should not be convicted. Upon the con-
clusion of NJ. Deplange's address the cases
were given to the Jury. Charles dc Lesseps,
accused of corrupting ex Minister OF Pub
lie Works Baihaut to support the Panama
lottery bouds bill, was found guilty by the
jury. Baihaut, who confessed his guilt in
open court. was also found guilty. and
Blondin, who acted as go-botween IN the
bribery OF Baihaui, was also found guilty.
All the other defendants are acquitted.
Those found not guilty were: Marcus
Fontano, Panama canal director; NJ. Sans
Leroy. ex-deputy. who was accused of
changing his vote on committee on the
Panama bill as the result of bribery; Sem
ator Beral, accused OF being bribed by
Baron Reinach, and Deputies OuRue de la
Fauconnerie, Gohron and Antonin Proust,
who were accused Of corruption.
The court. after elaboration, sentenced
VI. Baihaut 70 imprisonment for tive
years. to pay fine OF 10000 francs and
10 the loss of civil rights. nj. Blondln
was sentenced 10 imprisonment for two
years and Charles De Lesseps to imprison-
ment for one year, the one year 10 run
concurrently with the five year sentence
already imposed on him. All three of
the convicted prisoners were condemned
10 paw the costs and damages demanded
by the civil parties to the proceedings
The sentences Of Charles de Lesseps and
Blondiu were made comparatively light
on the ground OF extenuating circum-
stances In their cases.
The court also ordered NJ. de Lesseps,
II. Blondin and NJ. Baihaut to pay to NJ.
Monchicourt. liquidator of the Panama
canal company. $4,000 francs. the amount
taken from the treasury OF the company
and paid 10 Nj. Bahaut for his influence
in favor OF the lottery loan bill.
Charles de Lessops received his sentence
calmly, although the strain Of the trial
has rendered him exceedir xly haggard
aud nervous. When no arose, before the
retirement OF the jury, TO reafiirm his in
nocence he spoke with difficulty and
occasionally hesitated for almost a minute
TO composs his feelings He told the jury
with apparent earnestness that he had
ways tried to do his duty as a director
OF the compan and that where he had
erred in judgment he bad at the time
supposed that he was acting for the best
interests OF the canal and state. lie re-
peated briefly his charges OF extortion
against NJ Baihaut and alluded with Qenu-
inc emotion to tho troubles which had
overtaken his father. In his testimony he
had told tho truth and his conscience was
clear Of self-reproach. Although visibly
shaken by his feelings several times dur
ing hrs speech TO tho jury the calmness
which he regained toward the close lasted
through the reading OF the verdict. the de-
liverina OF his sentence and his return to
his eel. When is wife visited him In
his cell shortly sfterward he broke down
and wept like q child.
NJ BaihAut talked for an hour ia his
cell with his wife aud two daughters.