The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-14
BOURGEOIS TESTIFIES.
THE LATE MINISTER or JUSTICE
DENIES THE INsTNUATIONS
or Madame Cottu Connecting Him With tho
Panama Frauds-Ihe Days freced-
ing the Commune Recalled.

PARIS. March l3.-Approaches TO the
Palais De Justice were thronged to-day
with excited crowds. There has not been
such excitement in Paris since the be-
ginning Of the Panama scandal The
crowds we're composed Of all classes
from the militant Socialist to the wealthy
merchant and dnancier. and there was an
ominous murmur of angry talk and mo
nacing frown on the faces Of the lower
classes in the throng that reminded one
OF days preceding the Commune.
The courtroom was thronged win as
many as could obtain admittance. ne
prisoners seemed themselves revived nS
the interest which their case hau a""N
<,,.,d ard some thought that the features
of Charles De Lesscus bore a i'vA 'l
triumpb. while even Baihut looked less
crushed than ar any time previous since
hts pitiful confession Goliard tesuied
that he knew the secretary OF flenH
Cottu. and It was at the initiative ot 'he
secretary that he saw Pohce 'oi'ill'ls-
siarv Nicolle with view OF cuectihS an
Advancement between the GoNerniilell
and the Panama directors Ihls inter
view led to the discussions Whlrh 'pvN
DNfAEPl
Soirnourv. chief OF the detective d+p'i',
ment The witness said that he aet.d
entirely on his own responslolll'! !"
bringing about the interviews.
NJ Rourraois. late Minister OF Jua'lV',
next took the stand amid inu-hiu hiu'S u
excitement on the part OF lh' d"''''l.'
NJ BourgcOis spoke with hrinHeaS an
energy. and showed disposition uo' ~
reserve anything that could eNpl"" nc
position towards the Panama case anu .'1
defendants. He emphdticahy t'I
all the insinuatiOns contained I'M '"'
do,co of Madame Cottu. lie denied nav
mo authorized anybody to act in nus oe'
hair He said tnat he had Only per
,,ttted Madame COttu to see nor h"aD'''N
from motives OF humanity. ,.,
81 never heard anything eN''.'''''"
1,,,,re.,is "bf the interview between
Nine Cottu and NJ. Soirnoury uau'
st,temants were made in court. n' ln-
stn,,,t.ons." cried VI. Bourgeois earnestly
.aro simplv Infamous falsehoods ! never
g,ve anv order calculated 20 induce the
officers of Justice to shirk their duly or
to do ANYTHING contrary To law.
NJ Rourgeois' bold stand won LOUD app
plause. lie said the whole ahalr was 'N.
result of Il manoeuNre' the aul"ol VI
which he did not Know
Madame Cottu was recalled anu ne
olared that Goliard had told her ne Would
go and see NJ Bourgeois IN reSaru 10
her
NJ Gollard followed Madame Cottu. He
had told her he would see NJ. Bourgeois
but, he added, nobody authorized me 10
say So ,,,
NJ Bourgeois arose and exclaimed: III
any one knows that ! acted contrary to
the dictates 81 honor let him speak
At these words the uproar in the an-
dience was renewed. many taking part
with NJ Bourgeois and others with ms
accusers.
Judge Desjardins concluded that the
most effective wsy 10 allay the excitement
was to suspend the hearing. 1t took
somo time however, for the excitement 10
subsidc
When the hearing was resumed VI. Slor-
noury was recalled. He made "A long
statement 20 the effect that neither W.
Ranrpaots nor any other minister was IN
any way responsible for his interview
with Madam Cottu He himself had orig
mated the idea of a conference with her
and had arranged the meeting with her
without communicating with his sup
riois. For professional reasons Re had
deemed IT best to keep the matter secret
He believed fhat ne was Only t'lttS tti'
duty in trying TO get 20 the centre oi the
scandal. The charges that h had threat
ened Madam Cottu or had promised her
any favor I'm return for information whl n
she might give him were utterly .als'.
The Chamber Of Deputies by vote of
297 70 22S has declared its confidence IN
and voted 10 support the Government The
vote was taken after an exciting debate,
in which ~ Ribot, the Premier. and NJ.
bourgeois. late Minister Of Justice. took
a leadim. rart as speakers. in defense Of
the course pursued by the Government in
reference to the prosecution Of the Pan
ANA canal defendants.
The session to-day I'm the Chamber Of
Deputies was one OF the stormiest since
the beginning OF the Panama scandal.
Disorder prevailed almost constantly
throughout all the speeches. The presi-
dent broke his paper knife in rapping
vainly for order and eventually was
obliged to threaten the suspension Of the
sitting members TO obtain even sem
blance Of CTder.