The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-10
Old Ferdinand De Lesseps Given
Five Years in Prison and
Fined Heavily
His Son Charles, and Eiffel, of
Tower Fame, Condemned
to Prison.
Tho Judge Was Severe in Denouncins
the Frauds and Dishonesty Of tho
Panama Directors.

PARIS. Feb. a-Expoctation that the
sentences OF the prisoners of the Panama
trial would be delivered this afternoon
brought eager crowds to the court OF ap-
panls building and five minutes sitter the
doors were thrown open the room was
packed to suffocation. Presiding Judge
Pervier read the decision. after having dis
missed the plea that they should bone
fit by the statute OF limitations. He
charged that fraudulent proceedings ON the
part OF Ferdinand DeLesseps. Charles De
Lesseps Henry Cottu and Marius Fontane
had been proved. On this point the judge
referred to tho company's methods in issu-
ing loans. mendacious official bulletins.
and the persistent putting done by
the press at tho instance of tho
directors. ferdinand DeLesseps, aided
and abetted by his son Charles.
M. Cottu and M. Fontane persistently con-
cealed the operations OF the canal company
in order that the quotation of shares might
not be affected unfavorably. The directors
dealt with underwriting syndicates which,
ns far as utility WAS concerned, were fioti-
tious and known to be fictitious. The OK
penses necessarily attendant upon the issue
directors. which also constituted . fraudu-
lent act. The plea of the defense, despite
these fraudulent acts. thas the directors
were not amenable because the loan espe-
CHILLY in question had not succeeded. the
decision pronounced worthless. in view of
the evidence that the directors had not scfu-
pied to expose the capital of the company
to the risks involved in fresh issue,
and even reiterated promises to complete
the canal with the proceeds OF the loan.
Their fraudulent intent WAS the same
whether or not the purpose was caraied out.
sums paid Baron dc Reinaoh. Hugo Obern-
doeffer and others could not be regarded as
bnvinp been subscribed for the purposes TO
which they were put.
In dealing with tho question Of Eiffers
breach of trust the decision said Eitfel re-
ceivsd 100, 600. 600 francs for the oonstruc-
tion of ten looks and promised to complete
them by 1890. The evidence shows shat he
had not even purchased the specified ma
terals necessary in the construction of the
locks. He had pretended, furthermore, to
fulfil the obligations he undertook, while
in reality he was simply misappropriatinR
funds.
In conclusion Judge Perivier read these
sentences:
Ferdinand DeLessepa. five years impris-
onment and 5000 francs flne; Chas. DeLes-
sepo, five years and 5000 francs: Fontane
and Cottu, two years auI 5000 francs each;
Eiffel, two years and 10000 francs.
Immediately after reading the sentences
Eitfsl left the court oom with his counsel
whom he instructed to appeal to the high
est court. Charles DeLesseps and Ma thus
Fontane remained under arrest. Both
looked hapgnrd and disheartened as they
deuurted with Henry Cottu for the Office of
the ublic prosecutor.
The chamber OF indictments published
it's reasons for throwing out the true bill
found bv Nj. Frnpqueville against M. Ron
vier. While admitting that III. Rouvier rs-
ceived Panama check for 100000 francs in
1883 from nj. Vlasto. the chamber held that
no connection had been established be-
tween the acceptance OF the money and M.
Rouvier's vote on the lottery loan bill.