Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-03-02
PANAMA SCANDAL.
HELEN NJ, SMITH,

nurtng President Arthurs' administra-
upu. Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, Il great
Frrncn engineer who successfully con
-truc,rd The Su.z canal, proposed u do the
same ny the isthmus Of Panama. BY con-
structing a canal across this isthmus
thousands Of miles would be saved. De
Lessep- applied for grant of permission
from the NlCaraguan government aud ob
tatued it. The French were wild over The
plan for they thought that dc LtssepS,
their great Frruchman, could easily con
struCt another, under the very nose of the
Americans, and gain foothold In America
Soon meeting was called in Paris, de
Lesseps was chosen Chief OF Construc-
ton; Cornelius Herr. Baron dc Hersch,
Gustave + 'fel NJ Cottu and several
others as directors were chosen.
The French were SO enthusiastic over
the project that rich women came forward
aud threw their jewels into the fund. The
poor laborng class were in fervor of TX
Citement, and they put their hard-earncd
money in also. Millions of francs came
from all parts OF France to Paris. When
all was ready dc Lesseps crossed the
ocean with his Old followers to gam new
glory,
Millions Of francs were distributed to
the directors to buy machinery, material,
SC. Soon operations commenced; hosts
OF the laboring class of Freuchmen began
T. work the natives of the isthmus were
told that now was the time to get rich, 50
they put their prices way up, and washing
became so expensive that 1t was found
much cheaper to send it by steamer up To
San Francisco; this ruined the natives
Soon complaints were rumored about
~ ~ atrun ~ IN,
such a country work was abandoned; fine
engines were left To sink into ruin, the
luxuriant growth covered them with ivy,
and travellers VINO have crossed the 18TH
mus say 1t IS a furlorn scene.
1t was not thought that great swind
ling scheme had created this, uhtll after
many years it was discovered. The di-
rectors were tried in French court held
at Paris and the investigation Is now GO
ing on. The defeated eng ineer lies sick at
his residence and cannot be at the trial, al
though his son. Cnas. de LesSeps, throw,
great light on the bribery of several great
statesmen TO keep the matter smothered.
Baron de Helrsch committed suicide for be-
ing charged with great part of the scan
dal; Cornelius Herr also lies sick at ho-
Tel and cannot be removed To court.
Strange to say these once honest men have
suffered by the hand Of God, Pres.
Carnot has been the victim of suspicion
for trying to keep several men Of high
standing protected. The whole populace
calls for thorough investigation or
chances of a revolution are feared.
NJ. Ribot, the French Prime Minister,
has a thorny path before him. but is doing
his best 10 please the republic. 1t has
been trying work for him to form new
cabinet, as most OF the members resigned
on being charged with fraud. The mys-
terry i. fast coming to light, and IL j.
feared several high dignitaries Will have to
don the stripes.
A Partisan toy manufacturer illustrates
the Panama scandal very clearly: he has a
toy representing a portly Frenchman un-
der Panama palm-eaf hat. On pulling a
s.ring il Instantly dons convict's garb.
The Panama canal question is one of the
greatest questions OF to- day, aud it will
probably occupy place in history.
H. w.