Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-10
SENTENCE PASSED.
Both or the ne Lesseps and Their Code
PENDANTS in the Panama Investigation
Sentenced to Fines and imprisonment.


Both or the De Lesseps and Their Code
PENDANTS in the Panama Investigation
Sentenced to Fines and Imprisonment.
PARIS, February 9.-Expectation that
the sentences Of the prisoners in the
Pa anna trial would be delivered this
afternoon brought eager crowds to the
Court of Appeals before IL o'clock this
morning.
The approaches to the court were
filed to the last niche by noon and five
minutes after the doors were thrown
open the room was packed to suffoca-
tion.
Presiding Judge Periver read the de.
cisiOn after having dismissed the pris-
oners' plea that they should benefit by
the statute OF limitations.
Although the base of the judgments
were given In exceptionally minute de-
tail, the audience listened from arst to
last with oppressive intensity Of inter
est.
The charge Of fraudulent proceedings
against Ferdinand DeLesseps, Charles
DeLesseps, Henry Cottu and Marius
Montane was held to be proved. On
this point the judgment referred to the
compauy's methods in issuing loans, the
mendacious official bulletins and the
persistent putting done by the press at
the instance OF the directors.
These practices, the judgement stated,
when not directly originated or endors-
ed by the directors, had been connived
at by them. Ferdinand De Lesseps,
aided and abetted by his son Charles,
NJ. Cottu and NJ. Fontane, had persist
emily concealed the operations Of the
canal company in order that the quota
tlon of shares might not be affected un-
fsvorably.
The directors had dealt with under
writing syndicates, which as far as their
utility was concerned, were fictitious
and well known to be fictitious. In un-
derwritlng loans these syndicates had
taken upon themselves no risks and yet
they had received enormous sums from
the company.
In conclusion Judge Pervlor reread
these sentences:
Ferdinand de Lesseps is sentenced to
Imprisonment for five years and to pay
Lesseps is sentenced to Imprisonment.
for five years and to pay fine Of 5000
francs.
NJ. Marius Fontsne and M. Cottu are
each sentenced to Imprisonment for
two years and to pay a fine OF 1900
francs each. NJ. Eifel is sentenced to
Imprisonment for two years and TO pay
- n
have caused a profound sensation,
especially that OF Ferdinand de Lesseps.
Immediately after the reading Of the
sentences. NJ. Eiffel left the court room
with his counsel, whom be instructed
to appeal to the high court OF cessation.
Charles DeLesseps and Maglus Fon-
taine remained nnder arrest. Both
looked haggsrd and disheartened as
they departed with Henry Cottu for the
Office of the public prosecutor.
oThe sentencing Of the prisoners In
the Panama trial caused the utmost
CONSERVATION. Charles DeLesseps was
calm during the recital OF the decision,
but burst into tears when he heard sem
tence passed upon his father.
M. Fontaine was prostrated. Charles
De Lesseps sent telegram TO Laches-
nave informing Madame De Lesseps OF
the result Of the trial.
Madame DeLesseps probably will not
communicate tie news TO her husband,
unless compelled by circumstances 10
do so. The general belief is that the
sentence will never be executed against
him.
The excitement caused By the an
nouncement OF the sentence in the par
liamentary lobbies, on the streets. and
in the cafes. surpassed anything OF the
kind since the opening Of the Pasama
investigation.
The government is expected to call