The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-12
MADE A PRICE FOR VOTES
A Deputy Says He Was offered U.s.
900 Francs for Each One
Delivered.
They Being Needed by tho Panama
Company in Favor Of tho
Lottery.
Flat Contrad ictl0n of Madame COttu by
tho Chief OF Deteetives--The Amsri-
can Com m itteo.

Attendance was larger than on previous daya
owing 10 the expectation OF now develop
menta, and the deepest interest was oxhib~
tied in tho evidenes given. A iuryman
nsked whether it was possible TO trace tho
G0O,OO0 francs which Charles DoLesseps
alleged he had given M. Floquet. Charles
DeLesseps replied that he could not tell
how to trace the money. ~ have been so
long in prison." said DeIesaeps. plain
lively, that am forgetting much that
knew"
M. Ranca testified to having accom-
panied Nj. Clemenceau TO see DeFreycinet
about the time testified to by Chas. De-
Lesaeps, mt which DeEreycInet advised
Chaa. DeLesseps not to have litigation with
Baron Reinach. M. Rancs said that tho
baron was then in the throes of the conflict
with the EouanRists. and q lawsuit be-
tween the Panama canal company and
Baron Reinach would have been hurtful to
tho republic. Deputy Leon Borie. Bou
lan9ist, and bitter enemy of opportunism,
next testified. He created decided
sensation in court by stating that
man named Banchet offered
him 25,OOO francs for each deputy that he
would induce to vote for the Panama lot
tory bonds bill. Charles DeLessps here
spoke and protested that he never knew
Blanchet. Presiding Judge Des Jardines
decided that he would summon severai who
were members of the chamber of deputies
at the time the lottery bonds bill was pro-
posed, to confirm or deny the statement of
NJ. Borie
M. Andrieux, who is generally held re-
sponsible as the originator of Panama rev.
lations, next took the stand. Andrieux tes-
tilted that the list of Reinach checks, which
he had given to the committee OF investi-
CATION, had been handed to him by Cor
nelus Herr in the same form as received
by Herr from Reinach. Andrieux admitted,
in reply to questions. that he looked
through Artons papers in order to secure
political purpose. Andrieux testified
further that Arton said be would not be-
tray the persons who had given him conf
dence and. moreover. he himself would be
no longer secure if he once surrender ed the
list in his possession.
There was murmur OF surprise in the
court at this hint of hidden protection ex.
tended over Arton while he maintained a
reserve in regard to implicated officials.
Apdrieux proceeded to state that Arton
further informed him that he received gen
erous offers from other quarters in connec-
tion with the evidence in his possession
! and was promised great leniency in regard
| to his share in the dynamite case.
| Nj. Thiebaud, in tho course of his testi-
mony, created sensation by declaring
| that he always regarded Arton as n sec ct
agent of the government.
| Madame Cottu's evidence was the next
1 ttny haI Il thnt Il
the arrest Of her husband she learned that
the government, annoyed at the turn the
prosecution was taking, desired to suppress
it and sought an intermediary between
themselves and the Panama canal direc-
tors. A gentleman named Goyard visited
intermediary. He informed her ,hnt
true bill would not be returned
If the directors bound themselves to
silence. She wanted, however, to deal with
better authority than Coward. She, on
Jan. 16. was conducted to the office of Nj.
Soinoury. chief of the detective depart
ment. VINO asked her whether she possessed
any compromising documents which might
be useful to the ministry. Soinoury did
not make Rny proposals in precise terms,
but she felt that the release Of her husband
was being offered as bribe for the surren-
der OF compromising papers. Solnoury Of
fered to allow her to visit her husband In
order that she should induce him to warn
Charles DeLesseps, wko had already spoken
too much. Soinoury also asked permission
| to report the gst of the conversation to M
loubet. Everybody eagerly awaited the
action OF the presiding Judge regarding
these revelations. but he was not inclined
to summon soinoury and others wanted az
witnesses, and thus cut off this line of iu-
quiry.
large. formerly minister of the interior
declared that Charles DeLosseps menaced
HIM with an attack in the newspapers un-
loss he would help the Panama canal pro
ject. DeLesseps a ose and denied having
uttered any such menace.
M. Soinouty, chief of tho detective do
tectlve department., hastened to court o
his own accord when hs heard of Madam.
Cottu's statement. M. Soinoury took tn,
witness stand and declared that Madam,
Cottu came to his Office voluntarily an,
asked permission to visit her husband Nj
Soinoury swore positively that no neve
threatened and never attempted to bargain
with Madame Cottu. Madame Cottu her
arose and repeated with energy her decla,-
alton III words to the effect that Soinonr,
asked her whether she possessed any douu
ments compromising deputies on tho ex-
tteme right. This declaration caused pro
louged sensation and loud murmurs were
heard on all Sides Nj. Scnoury SCENE,
somewhat disooncerted. On being presset
he admitted that merely out of curiosity ht
| hshtN MhuHtne tottu SneIDet SIG nau any
documents involving deputies on the ex-
trumo right.
The court then adjourned. The greatest
excitement prevails. At 1890 O'clock this
(Supday) morning NJ. Bourgeois. minister
of justice, resigned his office and the news,
coupled with the DAYS exposures, caused
widespread ferment III Paris. Nj. Loubet,
former premier, iii an into view with u cor
respondent Tonight made An emphatic
statement to the effect that he had given
| no orders to soinoury to procure any com
promising documents in the possession os
| Madame Cottu as the price of her husband q
release.
Tho chamber of deputies was crowded
to- day. tho occasion being the debate on
| the demand by Gustaya Lama zele for the
production of alleged mennc,ng tele-
grams from Cornelius Herr to certain poll
ticians. nj. Ribot, premier, explained to
the chamber that the tetegrams were do
stroyed i'll ordinary official routine. If
| copies were preserved iii the detective Office
| they would be given to the chamber.
| AZ session of the committee of investi-
| CATION to-day tho committee refused to nc-
| cept the resignation of Henry Brsson as
president, and also resolved to summon
Ribot aud bourgeois. IL is understood
| that the lack of confidence indicated by
| this course had much to do with prompting
| the resignation of Bourgeois. In the letter
| announcing his resignation Bourgeois said
he resigned because se!nenry'a evidence