The morning call., 1893-03-14
GUILT AND SHAME.
Paris Mutters in Deep
Anger.
MEMORIES OF THE COMMUNE.
There Are Dark Hints of Graver
Dangers to the Republic Than
Ever Were Heard Before.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

PARIS. March 13.-The approaches to the
Palais de Justice vera thronged to-day by
excited crowds. There has not been such
excitement since the beginning of the Pam
ANA scandal. The crowds we're composed
of all classes, from the militant socialist to
the wealthy merchant and fnancier.
There was an ominous murmur, angry
talk and menacing frewn on the faces of
the lower classes in the thrOng that re-
minded one Of the days preceding the Com
mune.
The courtroom was thronged with as many
as could obtain admittance. The prisoners
themselves seemed revived by the new in
terast which their case had awakened. Some
thought the features of Charles de Lesseps
bore look of triumph, while even Baihut
looked less crushed than at any time since
his pitiful confession.
As soon as court opened Presiding Judge
Desjardins ordered Bourgeois. late Minister
of Justice, be summoned to testify at some
time during the day
Deputy Fernand Mege of Puy-de- Dome,
who belongs, according TO his own state
meDt. to the party of "appea TO the peo-
pie" testified to the accuracy Of the state
ment that Yves-Guyot was the source of
the report that Constans had communicated
to President Carnot, in council at the
Elysee, list of the Deputies implicated in
the alleged Panama briberies.
Count Caffarelli, Monarchst Deputy for
AiSne. gave similar testimony, which was
corrOborated by Radical Deputy Labr0usse.
Advocate Lagrass demanded that Constans
be summoned.
This was objected to by the Advocate
General, who said that the calling of wit
nesses must have some limit.
Deputy Saint Martin, Union Conservative,
who has been a member of the Committee
on Application of the Panama Canal Com
pany for leave TO issue lottery bonds, testi-
fed that he did not see Sans LEROY one of
the defendants accused of changing his vote
In the committee as the result of a bribe,
leave the committee-room just before the
critical division on the bill
Saint Martin said he had been told that
SansLeroy went out to see Arton, and
atterward Sans-Leroy's opposition to the
bill ceased.
Market member of the same committee,
testified that he did not see Sans-Leroy
leave the room on the occasion in question.
Witness remembered there was an alterca-
ton over the vote which Sans Leroy gave in
support of the bill, ana that Sans-Leroy told
the wish of his constituents.
NJ. Goliard testified to-day that lie knew
the secretary of Henri Cottu and that it
was at the initiative of the secretary he saw
Police Commissary Nieoll with a view of
effecting m arrangement between the Gov
eminent and the Panama directory. This
interview led to the discUs ssions which took
place between Nine Cottu and NJ. Soinoury,
Chief of the Detective Department. Witness
said that he acted entirely on his own re-
sponsibiiity in bringing about the inter
views.
NJ. Bourgeois, late Minister Of Justice.
next took the stand. He spoke with firm
ness and energy, and showed a disposition
not to reserve anything that could explain
his position toward the Panama case and
the defendants. He emphaticaly repu-
dated all insinuations contained in the
evidence Of Nine Cottu. He denied having
authorized anybody to act in his behalf, and
said that he only permitted Nine Cottu
to see her husband from motives Of human
ity. There was brief passage between
Bourgeois and NJ. Barboux whcn ended
with the latter saying: Nobody here
doubted the sincerity of Nine. Cottu's evil
dence"
Charles De Lesseps here arose. and in a
bold manner and in tones that rang through
the courtroom said:
N. Bourgeois attacked me little while
ago. Well, monsieur, here l am, face TO
face with you. What have you to say to
me?"
De Lesseps folded his arms and looked
defantly at Bourgeois, while violent up-
rear on the part Of The audience greeted this
sudden ebullition from the leading defen-
dant, whose conduct up to this time had
been at least within the rules Of orderly
procedure.
Judge Des1ardins Indignantly spoke up.
81 cannot" he said, ''allow these dialogues.
The law must be recognized by ALL
The audience calmed down and Bourgeois
proceeded to reply in deliberate Language
10 NJ. Barbour. lie said that the affair was
the result of a maueuver. the authors of
which he did not know.
with this NJ. Bourgeois retired from the
Wltness-stand and Nine. COttu was re-
called. She declared that Goiard told her
ne would go and see Bourgeois in regard to
her.
NJ. Gollard followed Nine Cottu on the
stand and confirmed her statement to the
effect that he had told her he would see
Bourgeois, but lie added: Nobody author
ized me TO say So"
NJ. Bourgeois arose and exclaimed:
If any one knows that | acted contrary
to the dictates oil honor, let him speak"
At these words the uproar in the audience
was renewed, many taking part with Bour-
geois and others with his accusers.
When the hearing was resumed Soinoury
was recalled. lie made long statement
to the effect that neither Bourgeois nor any
other Minister was in any way responsible |
for his interview with Nine. Cottu. He
himself originated the idea of conference
with her The charges that he threatened
Nine. Cottu Or promised her any favor in
return for any information she might give
were utterly false.