The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-10
The Latter Breaks Down in Court .rA
Confessss His Guilt. Making .
Great sensation.


full. II VIC appealed to law we should have
come to grief. Finanoiers said shat unless
We paid money to all banks under the influ-
ence of Girardin We would have all the
newspapers in Paris against Us. We still
held out against such methods. then the
newspapers attacked us and We finally were
driven to paying out enormous sums right
and left and were encouraged by the gov
ernment"
Leave tho governments alone" called
Judge Des Jardins sharply. while slight
| applause and a storm of protests from the
audience greeted the admonition.
Judge Des Jardins asked: "Hov did you
come to be introduced to M. Baihut? ?"
IA friend Of tho minister of works told
Fontane that the minister was ready to in
troduce lottery loan bill. but would re-
quire certain large sum to defray the
expenses. / advised NJ. Fontaine not to
deal with him. and afterward Fontane saw
Baihut, who said he was against the meas
ure. When learned of this said to M.
Fontane, Well, send for this gentleman,
them The gentleman was Nj. Blondin.
He demanded for Nj. Baihut 1000, 900 francs
and $4,000 raid down. The bill was then
introduced"
When questioned as to the dealings with
Baron Relnnch. M. DeLesseps said
II paid him large sum to meet the ex-
penses of the issue. All the fnanciers i'm
posed heavy demands upon us. and while
negotiations were pending an ordnance
officer came to me to say that M. de Frey
cinet wanted to see me. went to him and
he said: M. DeLesssps, there is ques-
ton in suit against you to be brought by
Baron dc Reinach, that would be very an
moving. You see how you can settle the
matter AS a result of my visit to De
Freycinet l raised my offer to Baron dc
Rcinach from two to five million francs,
which he accepted. subsequently M. Flo
quet said to me: Why do you not pay that
money to Baron de Reinach? II were you
would do so,' and 80 advised mo to accede
to Reinaoh's demand"
When questioned as to his relations with
Arton, the lobbyist, DeLesseps said: II had
no direct dealings with the man. He came
to mo with Reinach as representative of
Fioquet. They said | could render M.
Floquet o great service by setting aside
$4,000 francs for purpose which he would
indicate.
s'The next day met M. Floquet, and he
said that il could not make the sacrifice
his feelings toward the company would not
be changed, and thought it would not be
prudent to refuse euoh an honorable man a
selvice. Laughter. When the time for
settlement came Arton brought from M.
Floquet request in reference to the paw
ments to newspapers, AS l did not wish to
give more than C0.00O. however. declined
to 40 business in suoh way. | told Arton
that would send bonds marked with the
letter on the corner, and when the total
should reach 100000 the expenditures on
this account must cease" Loud and pro-
lonRed laughter.
"Was all this before the voting on the
bill?' asked the judge.
"Certainly." replied nj. DeLessepe,
Presiding Judge Dss Jardins proceeded
to interroRate Marius Fontane. The lat
ter stated that he was member of the |
board OF management OF the Panama
Cana! company when the transactions with
Baihut occurred. Acting under the direc-
din and found Baihut there. Baihut said:
"Ihe money in question is to be used IN
promoting the interests of the country. |
Charles DeLesseps thereupon proceeded to |
discuss with Blondin the question of the |
million francs claimed by Baihut. The
matter was eventually settled at Fontane's
residence" In reply to the presiding
judge, Fontane continued: "Some OF the
drafts payable to bearer were issued to pay |
for advef tising and others to satisfy rob-
bers who waylaid US like foot-pads." This
olosed the Interrogation of Fontane for tho |
time being.
Next followed the great sensation of the
position at first to throw the blame upon
Blondin. who acted as n go-between in the
He said: II acted Mt the in
stigation of Blondin. to whom l gave T.
500, 900 francs. / have wished to restore
the money received, but feared thereby
to accuse myself"
Up to this moment Baihut had spoken
clearly md with apparent aelf-control. He
broke down and with pitiful expression
of sorrow and despair exclaimed, in II
b. broken voice. II acknowledge having been
led astray. am guilty. NV words expresS
my grief and repentance. l feel that do
not yet understand how | could have fallen
80 low. l ask pardon of my country. whose
good name l have perhars sullied."
There was a decided stir in the court
room when Baihut began his pitiful ayowal
Of guilt and this WAS increased to q sensa-
.iou as he closed
Blondin. when questioned. snid he ar
ranged the meeting between Baihut and
Charles DeLesseIs in the belief that it
would be for the best interests of tho canal
company; admitted that he settled matters
with the payment Of tho brihe
Dut denied receiving n commission. Baihut
,ross- examined, stated again that Blondin
obtained commission for the transaction
between him and DeIesseps.
In the midst of Baihut's statement Fon-
ane spranR to his feet and shouted: "Thnt
tatement is tissue of falsehoods. Tho
witness hns not spoken word OF truth"
Turning upon his acouser, Bnihut said:
\ atii III that what l have said is the eInct
ruth and nothing bat the truth"
In examining Sane Leroy, Judge Dos
ardins asked: "Where did You got the
00.0O0 trHncs which YOU paid to tho Credit
Iyonnnis in April. 1882"
ut was partly my wife's dowry Of 100000
raucs."
why did yon not explain this soonerY"
II wished 70 nvoid having the indictment
Rainst me thrown out | prefer 10 DO tried