Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-22

PARIS, March 2l.-Interest in the Pana-
ma trials waned considerably during the
week, and the Assize Court, before which
the defendants are being tried, has not
been as crowded during the latter days OF
the trials. For three or four days past
counsel for the defendants have argued in
defense of their respective clients. To-day
the cases were given 10 the jury. Charles
Del. .esseps, accused Of corrupting ex-Min-
lister of Public Works Baihaut 10 support
the Panama lottery bonds bill, was found
guilty by the jury. Baihaut who con.
fessed his guilt in open court, was found
guilty By the jury, and Bloudin, who acted
as go-between in the bribery Of Baihaut, was
also found guilty. All the other defend
ants are acquitted.
Those found not guilty were: Marius
Fontane, Panama Canal Director, Nj. Sans
Leroy, ex-Deputy, who was accused or
changing his vote In committee on the
Panama bill as the result OF bribery; Sena-
tor Beral, accused OF being bribed by Baron
Reinach; aud Deputies Dugue de la Fau-
conneria, Gobron and Antonin Proust,who
were accused Of corruption.
The court, after deliberation, sentenced
NJ. Baihaut 10 Imprisonment for i've years,
TO pay fne of 10000 francs and 10 the
loss ofcivil rights. M. Blondin was SEN
fenced 10 Imprisonment for five years, and
Charles DeLesseps 10 Imprisonment for
one year, the ono year 20 run concurrently
with the hve years sentence already i'm
posed upon him. All three or the convict
ed prisoners were condemned 10 pay the
costs and damages demanded by the civil
parties 10 the proceedings.
The sentences OF Charles DeLesseps and
Blondin we're made comparatively lighton
the ground OF extenuating circumstances
in their cases.
The court also ordered M. DeLesseps.M.
Blondin and Nj. Baihaut 10 pay 10 NJ. Mon
chicourt, liQuidator OF the Panama Canal
Company 375, 900 francs, tho amount taken
from the treasury OF the company and paid
10 NJ Baihaut for his influence In favor OF
the lottery loan BILL
Charles De Lesseps received his SEN
tence calmly. although the strain OF ths
trial has rendered him exceedingly hag-
gard and nervous. When he arose. before
the retirement Of the Jury 20 reafiirm his
innocence, he spoke with difficulty aud oc-
casionally hesitated for almost minute
TO compose his feelings. He told'the jury
with apparent earnestness that he bad
always tried 70 do his duty as -
director Of the company, and that
while he had erred In Judgment he had &c
the time supposed that be was acting for
the best interests OF the Canal and the
State. He repeated briefly his charges OF
extortion against NJ. Balhaut and alluded
with genuine emotion 10 the troubles
which had ove-taken his father. In his
testimony he had told the truth and his
conscience was clear OF SELF
reproach. Although vlsibly shaken
bv mis- feelings several times during his
speech 20 the jury. the calmness which he
regained toward the close lasted through
the reading OF the verdict the delivering
of his sentence, and bis return 10 his cell.
When his wife visited him In his cell short
ly afterward be broke down and wept Ike
u child
M. Balhaut talked for an hour In bis
cell with his wife and two daughters. De
spite the hopelessness OF his case he evil
IDENTIFY was unprepared 70 bear the full
weight OF his sentence. for during the In
tervlew with his family he soboed re-
peatedly and begged their forgiveness for
the disgrace that he had brought upon
them. NJ. Bloudln was hardly less Affect
ed when he bade goodbye 10 his son and
daughter