The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-22

PARIS March 2I.-Inlerest in the
Panama trials waned considerably dur.
ing the week and the Asalze court, be-
fore which tho defendants are being
tried have not been as crowded during
the latter days OF the trials. For three
or four years past counsel for the de-
fendants have argued i'll defence Of their
respective clients. To-day the cases
were given to the jury. Charles de Les
seps accused Of corrupting ex'Minister
OF Public Works Baihaut to support the
Panama lottery bonds bill, was found
guilty by the Jury, Baihaut, who con-
tessed his guilt in open court, was also
found guilty, and Blondin who acted as
go,between in tho bribery OF Baihaut
was also found guilty. All the other
defendantsare acquitted.
Those found not guilty we're: Marius
Fontane, Panama canal director; NJ.
sans.Leroy, ex.deputy, who was accused
OF changing his vote in committee on
the Panama bill US the result OF bribery;
Senator Beral, accused Of being bribed
by Baron Reinach; and Deputies Duo
dc Ia Fauconnerie, Gobron and Antonin
Proust, who were accused OF corruption.
The court, after deliberation, senten-
ced NJ. Baihaut to imprisonment for five
years, to pay fine OF 1000 francs and
to the loss OF civil rights. NJ. Blondin
was sentenced to imprisonment for five
years and Charles dc Lesseps to impri-
sonment for ono year, the one year to
run concurrontly with the five years
sentence already imposed on him. All
three Of the convicted prisoners were
condemned to pay the costs and damages
demanded by the civil parties to the
proceedings.
The sentences OF Charles de Lesseps
and Blondin we're made comparatively
light on tho ground Of extenuating cir
cumstanCes in their cases.
The court also ordered NJ. dc Lesseps,
NJ. Blondin and N. Baihaut TO pay to
NJ. Monchicourt, liquidator Of the
Panama Canal Company $4,000 francs,
the amount taken from the treasury OF
the company and paid TO NJ. Baihaut
for his influence in favor Of tho lottery
loan bill.
Charles De Lesseps received his sen.
tence calmly, although the strain of the
trial has rendered him exceedingly
haggard and nervous. When he rose,
before the retirement OF the jury, to re-
affirm his innocence, he spoke with
difficulty and occasionally hesitated for
almost minute to compose his feel
ings. He told the jury with apparent
earnestness that he had always tried to
do his duty as director OF the COM
pany, and that, while he had erred in
Judgment, he had at the time
supposed that he was acting
for the best interests OF the
canal and the state. He repeated brief
" his charges OF extortion against NJ.
Baihaut and alluded with genuine emo
tion to the troubles which had over
taken his father. In his testimony he
had told the truth aud his conscience
was clear Of self-reproach. Although
visibly shaken by his feelings several
times during his speech to the jury, the,
calmness which he regained toward the
close lasted through the reading OF the
verdict, tho delivering Of his sentence,
and his return to his cell When his
wife visited him in his cell shortly
afterward he broke down and wept like
q child.
NJ. Baihaut talked for an hour in his
cell with his wife and two daughters.
Despite the hopelessness OF his case he
evidently was unprepared to bear the
full weight Of his sentence, for during
the interview with his family he sobbed
repeatedly and begged their forgiveness
for the disgrace that he had brought
upon them.
NJ. Blondin was hardly less affected
when he bade good bye to his son and
daughter.