The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-10
BAIHUT PLEADS GUILTY.
HE ADMITS RBCBIvING PAY FoR
TIE LOTTERY BILL.

The Confession Causes a Sensation.
He Testihes that Blondin Took 1900
Francs of the Money and the Latter
Admits the Truth Of the Charge.
Fontaiue the First Witness.
PARIS March 9-Interest in the Panama
trial is increasing and the greatest ourios-
ity is shown as to coming developments. 1t
is reported that the frankuess with which
Charles de Lesseps told his story has caused
surprise and some Consideration in certain
high circles, and that considerable anxiety
has b cen felt in the same quarters as to his
subsequent testimony.
The approaches TO the pslais de justice as
well as the court room we're thronged this
morning and there was "a buzz of gossip
among the spectators which lasted until the
presiding Judge, NJ. de sJardins, .stook his
seat Then silence was demanded in a
more than usually imperative manner, and
the audience became quiet as II apprehen-
sive that the court room might be cleaned.
Marius Fontaine was the flrst witness.
He was a member of the board Of manage
ment of the Panama Canal Company at the
time Of the transactions with III. Baihut
OGCuEIeNs no utbGIAn6u Aub NlsAh "a ~.
Blondin, who assured the board that NJ.
Baihut would introduce IA bill authorizing
the lottery bonds IL the Panama Canal
Company would make substantial pecu-
mary sacrifice and that the money Cwould
be used to procure publicity for the scheme.
NJ. Fontaine admitted that acting under
the direction Charles de Lesseps he visited
NJ Blondin. He found Nj. BaihuU there.
M. Baihut said: "The money in question
trfIl ha. in ha tr4fa ate
of the country Charles de Les
seps thoreupon proceeded to discuss
with M. Blondin the question Of ,000,0 900
francs claimed by M. Baihut. The
matter was eventually settled at M. Fon-
| tane's residence. In reply to the presiding
judge, M. FOutatne continued: "Some Of
the drafts payable to bearer were issued to
pay for advertising and others to satisfy
the robbers who waylaid US like footpads."
The SENSATION OF THE DAY.
This closed the interrogation Of Mr.. Fon-
| taine for the time being, and now followed
the great sensation of the day NJ. Baihut
was called upon TO answer interrogatories
the presiding judge addressing the ques-
tions 60 the accused. M. Baihut showed
disposition at first to throw the blame upon
Nj. Blondin, who had acted as a go-between
in the negotiations M. Baihut said: 81
acted at the instigatiou of NJ. Blondin, to
whom l gave 1900 francs. / haYe wished
to restore the money / received, but
feared thereby to accuse myself
| Up to this moment M. Baihut had spoken
clearly and with apparent self-control.
| Now he broke down and with pitiful eX-
| preston of sorrow and despair he exclaimed
in a broken voice: Il acknowledge having
been led astray. ] am guilty. Ny words
! express the grief and repentance feel.
do not yet understand how l could have
| fallen so low. / ask pardon of my country,
| whose good name / have perhaps sullied.n
As soon as M. Baihut regained his self
control he said: 81 submit in advance to
any sentence which the court may pass on
| men
BLoNDTN ON THE RACK.
NJ Blondin was questioned by the presid-
| ing Judge as to how he came to act as an
| Intermediary between the Panama company
and NJ. Baihut's demand for money. lie
acknowledged that he had received z 800
francs for his services in arranging matters
between the minister and the directors.
| He had arranged the meet
! ing between NJ. Baihut and
! Charles dc Lesseps in a belief that it would
| be for the best interests of the canal COM
pany. He admitted that he settled matters
connected with the payment Of the bribe
! Charles de Lesseps had handed M. Baihut
! 250,000 francs ab NJ Baihut's house and
| 125, 900 more in the lobby of the Senate.
| NJ Baihut was recalled and cross-eX-
amined by the counsel for the Panama
creditors and stated again that NJ. Blondin
| had obtained a commission on the transac-
tlon between himself and M. de Lesseps. In
the midst of Nj. Baihuts statement M.
| Fontaine sprang to his feet and shouted
| THAT statement is "a tissue of falsehoods
The witness has not spoken a word Of
| TRUTH
Turning upon his aocuser, M. Baihut
said slowly: 81 affirm that what have
said is the exact truth and nothing but the
| truth"
The Figaro, Steele and SOir have been
fined for publishing the depOsitions OF NJ
Clemenoeau and Nj. de Freycinet before
Magistrate Franqueville.
DE LEssEPs OFFERED A BRIBE.
LONDON, March 9,--The Paris CORE
spondent of the Morning Post says:
"Charles de Lesseps told friend that prior
10 the recent trial he had been promised a
minimum sentence if he was able TO impli~
cate any rightists He replied that this was
| beyond his power because as far as he WAS
aware no rightist was implicated. AS he
received the maximum sentence, he said, he
would now show no mercy toward the au-
| thorities.n
A BRIGHT FUTURE RUINED.
A ~ London