Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-11

to have concluded that the most sensa'
tiOnal part OF the Panama story has
! been told and when the trial opened to-
day the attendance was comparatively
small. Charles De Lesseps, Baihau'
and their fellow defendants wore tired
and harassed expression as II they
wished the ordeal was over, Baihaui
looking especially distressed and anx'
! ous for the end.
| NJ. Flory, the government accountant,
who had been appointed 10 examine the
acts of the Panama Canal Company, was
called upon to testify. He repeated In
the main the figures and statements al
ready given In his published report. lie
estimated that the Panama Canal Com.
pany had expended one hundred and
five millions of francs In payment fol
newspaper advertising and for favorable
notices In the newspapers and other
services connected with the general
putting Of the enterprise. About 553,'
900, 900 francs being less than half the
the total amount subscribed, had been
expended In the actual operations or
the canal. The present assets amount
|
Ex-Deputy Chantagrel testified that
NJ. Souligon, civil engineer who did
work on the Isthmus. came to him one
day with an offer of 1000 francs fol
his vote on the lottery loan bill. When
he declined the bribe NJ. Souligon added
that Charles DeLesseps had authorized
him 10 offer any SUN up to 100000
francs for NJ. ChantagrePs vote. M.
Chantagrel refused to accept the 300,'
900 francs. although NJ. Souligon argued
with him for some time so as to induce
him to accept the money.
NJ. StephSne, clerk for NJ. Proper,
Baron DeReinach's partner, testified
concerning his experience with list OF
more than 100 conspicuous men who
were compromised by the Panama scan
dal. He had received the list from
Baron DeKeinach, and after Reinach's
death had delivered 1t to NJ. Clemenceau.
The list was similar 10 the one held by
| NJ. AndrieuX.
Charles Floquet, eX-premier and ex-
president Of the Chamber of Deputies,
was the next witness. He was nervous
and pale. Before examining him Judge
Dssjardins had Charles DeLesseps re-
peat his testimony as TO the
contribution Of 100000 francs made
at M. Floquet's request, by the
Panama Company to the fund for the
campaign against Boulanger in the De-
partment of the Nord. In concluding
his statement NJ. De Lesseps said: II
render all homage to the delicacy and
loyalty which distinguished NJ. Floquet's
conduct. but | declare positively that
he made to me the exact proposition al
ready made for him by Arton."
NJ. Foquet replied at once in loud
but unnatural tone: ~ repeat the de-
NAL already made by me before the ex-
smining magistrate. The manner Of
action and speaking attributed to me by
NJ. De Lesseps is entirely foreign to my
personality. As NJ. De Lesseps puts
the matter it is much worse than If /
had brought pressure to bear upon him,
as he complains everybody else did. In
his testimony he has forgotten, how
ever, that | did not assume Office until
April 3, 1858, and that the election took
place on April 10, the voting on the lot
terry loan bill on the z7th."
Nevertheless, we have proofs that
Baron DeReinach sent out the money
under your ministry in 1885" interpo-
lated Charles DeLesseps.
81 do not understand what you
mean" replied N. Floquet.
Loud protests came from the body OF
the court, and several persons shouted
Itch the truth" The presiding judges
call for order only evoked more shouts,
aud his voice was lost in the uproar as
he threatened to have the court cleared.
Both NJ. DeLesseps and NJ. Floquet
tried TO make. statements, but neither
could be heard more than a few fee;
away. Each denied the truth OF what
the other said, but only the reporters
caught their words.
Asthe din increased Judge Desiardens
ordered that the court room be cleared,
andamid a babel of voices shouting re-
proaches and accusations at the judges,
the audience was driven out by the ush-
ers.
When order was restored NJ. De Les
Sc ps got the first word and said clearly
and positively: ~ repeat that III. Flo
ouet asked 20 see me in regard 10 the
report that Baron DeReinach intended
TO sue the Panama Company, and that
he advised me to pay Baron DeReinach
the large sum demanded by him, 10 or
der that the government might not be
annoyed by the suit"
NJ. FloQuet, after q pause, admitted
that he had talked with NJ. De Lesseps
concerning the Reinach suit. 81 know
neither Baron DeReinach nor Cornelius
Herr. however" he added. ''and / am
amazed that anybody should make an
incident out of this trife. would be
ready to do again what / then did. 1t
wa. at the time OF the Bonlangist agi-
tation, and popular feeling was being
excited by free distribution OF money.
When l found shat the Panama Canal
Company was setting aside large sums
for advertising, / naturally asked why
such amounts should go 20 Ill the ex-
cheauer OF the enemies OF the Repub-
lic."
.'Did yor know the lobbyist Arton?''
incurred II. Barbour.
Il saw him once or twice." replied
M. Floqnet, "but had no regular reIa-
tions with him."
NJ. CIemeDcean, the next witness, de-
MED that CornelIns Herr had secured,
as testified By Charles De Lesseps, some
600, 600 francs for the favor Of La Justice