Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-27
TUMULTUOUS SCENES
Heating Of French Republicans to Iomi-
nate for President
KKoCK-DONE lID DRAG-oUT FIGHT
II IL Charged to the Account OF Socialists
by Formal Resolution--One Chat
icnge ResultA

PARIS, June 26.--A meeting Of the Re
publican members of the Senate and
Chamber OF Deputies was held this after
noon to decide upon a candidate for
President to be voted for at Versailles
tomorrow. The proceedings were char
acterized throughout by an indescribable
noise and continuous brawling. Deputies
and senator's shouted at the tops OF their
voices over one anotheTs heads. Some
demanded a vote without debate. Blows
were exchanged by several members. and
ink-stands were thrown about freely. De-
putty Marc Suzet, member for Ardechc.
tried to stand upon the table. and was
pulled forcibly to the floor by NJ. iler-
te3rx. member for Seine-et-Oise. Another
member. who tried to hide the ballot.
box. was struck and thrown down
Finally. some of the calmer members
proposed a recess. and a motion TO adj
journ was carried a large number re-
mained in the hail. however, and after
a short period. Senator De Verninac. who
presided. asked whether the meeting de-
sired to vote. The tumult was renewed
TO restore order Mr.. De vernlnac de-
clared the meeting closed and left the
tribune.
Free fighting ensued for fully quarter
of an hour. Eventually the hall was
cleared The conflict was provoked BY the
Socialists and the extreme Radicals In
order TO prevent a decisive vote.
During the fighting. Deputy Humbert.
Socialist, seized the ballot-box. In which
a vote was being taken, and breaking
It up, threw the pieces in the faces OF his
opponents. Under the circumstances.
record of the vote was considered worth
less.
THE SOCIALISTS BLAMED.
Two hundred Republicans met subse-
quently In the commttee-room, Deputy
Delano- -Montaud presiding. Resolutions
were adopted expressing the sorrow or
the moderate members of the party that
the plenary assembly had been prevented
from accomplishing its purpose by such
tumultuous scenes. and accusing the So
cialists of purposely obstructing the pro-
ceedings.
IL was decided that the only resource
was TO 20 TO Versailles without prepara-
tory decision as 10 the presidency. and
that this course was likely to ensure tho
election OF Caslmir-Psrier
The Socialist deputies had delegated NM.
Jaurres, Hugues Jourde, Millerand.
Groussett, Hovelacque, and Pierre
Richard to attend the plenary meeting
and act in concert with the advanced Re
publican senators in the choice OF a can
didate who would not combat the So
cialists.
Later in the day the three Republican
senatorial groups-the Centre. the Left
Republican, and the Unionist Republican,
met 10 choose a candidate for the presi-
dency A ballot was taken. with this re-
suit Casimir-Perier, IA; Dupuy. 10; Bris-
son, 6; De Freycinet. 4; Arago, :; louoet.
2; Constans. 2; Cavaignac, /.
No representatives, of these groups at
tended the plenary meeting.
Deputy Pelletan (RadlcaD complains that
he was struck In the face with an ink
stand during the tumult In the plenary
meeting.
Deputy Suzet, who was pulled of the
table during the tumult. has challenged
NJ. Berteaux to a duel The seconds
named by Suzet have declined to act.
CHANCES Or .cAsIMIR- -PERIER.
Tha chances Of casmir-Perier are re-.
garded as greatly helped by the dsSen-
slons in the ranks of the Republican
senator's. 1t Is expected that of the s0t
votes cast on the first ballot tomorrow
Casimlr-Pe Perier will receive 400. His sup
porters are confident that he will have
at least $50 votes. II Caslmir-Perier Is
not elected on the first ballot, his chances
will diminish thereafter, as the Dupuy
faction is trying to Induce PRISONS sup
pOrters 10 transfer their votes after the
first ballot to a dark horse.
The election of an unknown" is re-
sarded, however, as improbable.