The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-10

not directly originated or indorsed by the
directors, had been connived at by them.
Ferdinand de LeSseps, aided and abettea
by his son Charles, NJ. Cottu and NJ. fon-
taine, had persistently concealed the opera.
tions of the canal company in order that
the quotations of shares might not be at
ected.
The directors had dealt with underwrit-
Ing syndicates which, as far as their utility
was concerned, We're fictitious, and were
known to be fictitious. In underwriting
loans these syndicates had taken upon
themselves no risks, and yet they had re-
ceiyed enormous sums from the company.
The expenses necessarily attendant upon
the issue of loans had been grossly exag-
gerated by the directors, and this eXaGger-
alton also constituted q fraudulent act
In dealing with Gustave Eiffers breach
of trust the decision said that M. Eificl
had received 120,G00, 600 francs for the con-
struction OF ten locks, and had promised
to complete them by 1890 The evidence
had shown that he had not even purchased
the specified materials necessary in the
construction of these locks; in fact he had
bought in France, all told, but l,223,oOV
francs worth Of materials. He had pre-
tended, furthermore, TO fulfill the obliga-
lions he had undertaken, while in reality
he was simply misappropriatinB the funds.
In conclusion Judge Periveire read the
sentences:
Tho Sentences.
Ferdinand de Lesseps, five years impris-
onmeut and 5000 francs fine.
Charles de lesseps, five years imprison-
ment and 1900 francs fine.
Marius Fontaine, two years imprison-
| menL and 5000 francs fine.
| Henry Cottu, two years. imprisonment
and 5000 francs fine.
| Gustare Eiffel, two years. imprisonment
and q, 600 francs fine.
Immediately after the reading of the
| sentences NJ EiIfel left the court room
with his counsel, whom he has instructed
to appeal to the high court of cessation.
Charles de Lesseps and Marius Fontaine
| remained under arrest. Both looked hag-
gsrd and disheartened as they departed
| with Henry Cottu for the Office OF the pub
lie prosecutor.
The Distinguished Convicts.
Comte Ferdinand de Iesseps-"Ie Grand
Francais,n as he had been admiringly
called by his countrymen-who is to un-
dergo an imprisonment Of five years on ac-
count of the crookedneSs in connection
with tho Panama canal enterprise, is now
In his Ssth year, having been born at Ner-
sailles on Nov. 10, 1865. He Is a younger
son Of 1omte Matthew dc l4eSsepSt OF i3ay-
onne, his mother being a Spanish lady re-
lated closely to the family of the ex En-
press Eugenie. Although his name is as
sociated so intimately with the two great
eat engineering feats of the century PAN
anna and sSueA), he is NOT a professional en-
gineer, but has spent most Of his active life
In diplomacy.
Mr. Charles Aime Marie de Lesseps is the
youngest of the two sons Of Comte de Les
seps by his first wife He is now over 90
years Of age,
NJ Gustave Effel, though better known,
perhaps, as the designer of the famous
Eiflel tower, which was built for the Uni
versal exposition In Paris in 1889, and
which still stands as the tallest thing in
tho world, WAS an eminent engineer long
before this we'll known work in perpen.
dicular construction. He is 80 years Of age
NJ Marius fontaue became tho private
secretary Of Comte Ferdinand dc Lesseps
In 1857. Through the latters influence he
was made the general secretary OF both
the Suez and Panama Canal companies. NJ
Fontane has devoted considerable time tt
literature also, and has published several
novels, Il volume Of poems, essays and I
history of the Susz canal His most pre-
tentious work, however, is his Universe
History, now in course of publication.
NJ. Henri Gottu, the fourth member o.
the convicted quartette, was one of tht
director of the Panama Canal company.