Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-10
NJ. BAIHAUT ADMITS HIS GUILT
And Pleads Forgivness-He is
Thoroughly Ashamed Of the
Part He Took in the Nasty Job
and is Ready to Take His Pun
ishment-Scenes in the Court
Room.

ETY. has been felt in the same quarters as
lie subsequent testimony. The ap-
nroaches TO the Palace de Justice as
well IS the Court room were thronged
this morning. The prisoners were
brought in under the usual escort and
entered into conversation with their
counsel. The general opinion was that
the defendants all wore more conf
dent air than on the previous day and
that they seemed to feel that their IN
unreserved acknowledgment had made
favorable impression on the commu-
nifty.
Presiding Judge Desjardins proceed
ed to interrogate III. Marius Fontane.
The latter stated in reply that he was
a member of the Board Of Management
of the Panama Canal Company, when
the transactions with NJ. Baihut oc-
Cured Acting under the direction OF
Charles de Lesseps he visited nj. Blond
In. He found NJ. Baihut there. Baihut
said: The money in question will be
used protecting the interests OF the
country. Charles de Lesseps thereupon
proceeded to discuss with NJ. Blondin
the question OF the million francs claim
ed by M. Baihaut.
The matter was eventually settled at
Fontane's residence. In reply to the
presiding Judge, NJ. Fontane continued:
"Some of the drafts payable to bearer
were to pay for advertising and others
to satisfy the robbers who waylaid us
like footpads." This closed the inves-
tigation of NJ. Fontane for the time be-
ing, and next followed the great sensa-
tion Of the day.
M. Baihaut was called. He showed
disposition at first to throw the blame
on M. Blondin, who acted as the go-be-
tween in the negotiations. Baihaut
said: 81 acted at the instlgation OF
Blondin, to whom / gave $500 francs.
have wished to restore the money |
received, but feared thereby to accuse
myself"
Up to this moment NJ Baihaut had
spoken clearly and with apparent self
control. Now he broke down and with
pititul expression Of sorrow and de-
spair he exclaimed In a broken voice:
~ acknowledge having been led astray.
| am guilty. My words express the
grief and repentance feel. l do not
vet understand how could have fallen
so low. | ask pardon Of my country,
whose good name | have perhaps sui
lied"
There was decided stir In the court
room when NJ. Baihaut began his pitt
full avowa of guilt, and this increased
TO a sensation as he closed in words that
were almost broken through his agita-
tion.
As soon as M. Baihaut regained his
self control he said: II submit In ad
vance to any sentence which the court
may pass upon me-"
M. Blondin was questioned by the
presiding Judge as to how he came to
! act as intermediary between the Pan
ANA Company and M. Baihaut. In his
answers Blondin denied that he
had instigated NJ. Baihaut's de-
mand for money and that he had
received z, 500 francs for bis services in
arranging matters between the minister
and the directors. he had arranged
| the meeting between M. Baihaut and
Charles De Lesseps in the belief that 1t
would be for the best interests OF the
Canal Company. He admitted he had
settled matters connected with the pay
ment OF the bribe. Charles De Lesseps
had handed NJ. Baihaut 250,000 francs
at NJ. Baihaut's house, and 125,0O0
more in the lobby OF the Senate.
M. Baihaut recalled and cross-exam-
| ined by counsel for the Panama credi-
tors, stated again that NJ. Blondin had
obtained commission on the transac-
tion between him and NJ. De Lesseps.
In the midst Of NJ. Baihant's statement,
M. Fontane sprang TO his feet and
shouted, "That statement is tissue Of
falsehood. The witness has not spoken
word OF truth"
Turning upon his accuser, NJ. Baihaut
said slowly: 81 affirm that what / have
said is the exact truth, and nothing but
| the truth"
In examining N. Sans-Leroy, the next
witness, Judge Desjardins recalled that
while q member OF the parliamentary
committee on the lottery bill the prls-
oner had opposed the canal company,
then making proposals to the Deputies.
NJ. Leroy hardly waited for the Judge
to cease speaking before exclaiming an
grily:
81 am amazed that the prosecution
should dare fasten on WOrd or Two
spoken by me to the examining magis-
trate In order TO throw me into prison
while they forget 10 arrest many others
who they know are really criminals"
Slight applause followed this out
break which Judge Desjardins dismissed
| with a warning to the witness that he
must speak more moderately. The
Judge then asked, "Why, after voting
for report hostile to the dill did you
reverse your vote?"
There were three OF Us who favored
abandoning the BILL" replied NJ. Leroy
eyasiyely. II was not aware when
changed my opinion that the Canal
Company were approaching Deputies
l never spoke with the lobbyist, Arton.
Ex-Deputy Gobron admitted having
| cashed check By Baron DeReinach for
| 100000 francs, but denied that che
check was in any connected with
the Panama lottery loan bill.
He had sold fifty founders
shares 10 a tannery company TO
ReInach, and the check was given In
uayment for them He voted for the
Lottery bill at the request Of his con-
stituents. he had never seen Arton
or any other Lobbyist for the Panama
Comp pany, and had never met Charles