Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-14
NJ. BOURGEOIS GIVES TESTIMONY.
M. Gonard Made the Appointment
With Madame Cottu Without
Consulting His Superiors and
Had Not Their Authority For
His Acts-M. DeLesseps Strikes
q Tragic Attitude.

talk and a menacing frown on the faces
of the lower classes in the throng
that reminded one Of the days
preceding the Commune. The
court room was thronged with
as many as could obtain admit
tance. The prisoners seemed re-
vived by the new interest which their
case had awakened, and some thought
that the features Of Charles de Lesseps
bore a look of triumph, while even
Baihaut looked less crushed that at any
time previous since his pitiful con-
ceSSion.
As soon as the court opened presiding
Judge Desjardins ordered that M. Bour-
geois. the late Minister Of Justice,
should be summoned to testify at some
time during the day.
Deputy Fernand Menege, OF Puy de
Dome, who belongs, according TO his
own statement, 10 the party OF "Appeal
to the People," testified TO the accuracy
of the statement that NJ. Yves-Guyot
was the source of the report that Nj.
Constans had communicated to Presi-
dent Carnot, in a council at the Elysee,
the list of Deputies implicated in the al
legged Panama briberies. Count Catfa-
relic, Monarchist Deputy for Aiane,
gave similar testimony, which was cor
roborated by the Radical Deputy La
Brousse.
Advocate La Grass demanded that NJ.
Constans be summoned TO testify. This
was objected to by the advocate Rener-
al, who said that the calling OF wit
noocac muct haVa sOma limit
Deputy Sainte Martin, Union Conser-
vative, who had been member OF the
committee on the application of the
Panama Canal Company for leave TO
issue lottery bonds testified that he did
not see NJ. Sans-Leroy, one OF the de-
PENDANTS, who was accused OF changing
his vote in the committee as the result
of brbe, leave the committee room
Just before the critical division on the
bill. Sainte Martin said he had been
told that Sans-Leroy went out to see
Arton, and that afterwards Sans-Le-
roy's opposition to the bill ceased.
NJ. Markell, a member OF the same
committee, testified that he did not see
Sans-Leroy leave the room on the occa-
sion In question. The witness remem-
bered that there was an alteration over
the vote which Sans-Leroy gave in sup
port of the bill, and that Sans-Leroy
told the committee that he was bound
to comply with the wish Of his constitu-
ents.
NJ. Bourgeois, late Minister of JUS
tice, next took the stand amid murmurs
of excitement on the part Of the audi
dience. M. Bourgeois spoke with firm
ness and energy, and he showed dis
position not TO reserve anything that
could explain his position toward the
Panama case and the defendants. He
emphatically repujiated all the insinua-
tions contained In the evidence OF Ma
dame Cottu. He denied having author
lied an body to act in his behalf. He said
that he had only permitted Madame
Cottu 10 see her husband from motives
OF humanity. II never heard any
thing" exclaimed NJ. Bourgeois, "of
the interviews between Maname COttu
and NJ. Soinoury until the statements
were made in Court. The insinuations," "
cried NJ. Bourgeois, earnestly, "are
simply Infamous falSehoods, | never
gave any order calculated to Induce the
officers Of justice to shrk their duty or
to do anything contrary to law"
Judge Observation-Disclosures Cottu
has not said anything against you."
NJ. Bourgeois-"I read the report Of
the trial, and therefore, | am mere to
deny the insinuationS.
Judge Desjardins-"The report was,
perhaps, Inaccurate"
rrLo Caparal l-hIf the
sopal character of NJ. Bourgeois had
been called in question without my be-
ing able to defend it, !, VINO perhaps
owe my place here 10 him, should not
have hesitated TO resign.
Proposed murmurs Of approval greet
ed this avowal of loyalty, and we're
formally checked by the presiding
judge.
NJ. Bourgeois then resumed: 81 do
not know what this new manouvre
means. do not even wish TO know, but
/ feel it may preipdice the disclosure OF
the truth. and give rise 10 the idea that
Justice is not free. In leaving my ONCE
TO protest | wish TO say that l would
not allow the accused to become accus-
ers, nor the minister Of justice himself
10 become accused.
These woris, uttered with frmness
and dignity, caused a manifest sensation
in court.
Nj. Borboux> rising said: 81 do not
forget that NJ. Bourgeois was only yes
terday the Minister Of Justice, and l
ask him respectfully to say what
manouvres he alludes to-"
NJ. Bourgeois (sternly)-I DO not
know, but am conscious OF them"
NJ. Barbour had no doubt Of the
sapctity of Madame Cottu's evidence.
Chas. DeLesseps here arose and in
bold manner, in tones that rang through
the court room he uttered: IN. Bour-
geois attacked me s little while ago
well. Monsieur, here an face to face
with you-what have you to say TO
me?"
DeLesseps folded his arms and looked
defiantly al Bourgeois while violent
uproar among the audience greeted
this sudden ebuIlition on the part Of the
leading defendant whose conduct up TO
this time had been at least within the
rules OF orderly procedure.
Judge Desjsrdins Indignantly spoke
M: II cannot" ne said, ''allow these
dialogues. The law must be recognized
by all"
The audience oslmed down aid H.
M