The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-03
He FACES HIS ACCUSERS
HIS DRAMATIC ANSWER BEFORE
THE CHAMBER.
"IAM CALM AND OF SERENE CONSCIENCE"
CrIspi's Connection With The Big Bank Failure
Discredited, and Yet Signora Crispi
Seems to Have Appropriated
$1,000, 600.

Rome, Dec. 2-To-day the Chamber
OF Deputies appointed a commission of
five to inquire into the charges against
Signor Francesca Crispi, former Premier,
in connection with the Bank Of Naples
scandals and the alleged illegal traffic
in decorations.
The proceedings are the result of the
recent decision Of the Italian court OK
Cessation, which quashed the judicial
indictment brought against him on the
ground that the ordinary tribunals OF
justice were not competent to deal with
such charges brought against a former
member Of the government, or his con-
duct while in the government. The court
of Cessation held that such charges must
he dealt with by Parliament, which was
the contention of Sgnor Crispi, and the
judicial proceedings were thrown out.
The special commission was appoint
ed after an impressive speech by Signor
Cr.spi, in which he declared that he de-
sired the most ample and complete dis
cussion of the whole question and did not
dread the light, which he said, could re-
veal nothing against him. Il am the
victim of calumny," he asserted, "and
should have brought suit against my
calumniators if the matter had not been
AtiFAANu ~ iile AjtuHtiHF.
Signor CriSpi recalled his past labors
on behalf of Italy and he admitted that
there had been times when he had err
ed. He claimed, however, from his con-
querors an unbiased Judgment, and as
serted that he was prepared to testify
before the commission and to omit moth
ing so that the matter might be probei
to the deepest, adding pathetically but
il will be very hard at rs, after devOting
SO years to the service of my country"
This passage of the speech provoked
violent interruption and the president OF
the chamber formally cautioned two So
cialist deputies who We're particularly
virulent.
Signor Crispi, after order was restor-
ed:
II remain calm even in the face Of my
adversaries, invectiyes. l have a serene
conscience; and l shall die, when my
time comes, with the name of Italy up
on my lips. But / ask to be allowed to
pass my last days quietly. If Italy
needs me | shall always be ready to
serve her; but | do not have, and never
have had ambition for power"
At the conclusion of his speech a num-
Der of deputies gathered about him to
congratulate him and to shake his hand.
Signor Crispi, the most brilliant Itai-
ian statesman since the days of Cavour,
is called upon to face, in his extreme old
age, not accusations of political crimes,
but ordinary felonies. He has already
been subjected to the humiliation OF
magisterial examination il connection
with charges of completely in the gigan-
tic frauds that wrecked the Bank OF
Naples, the Bank of Rome, the Bank OF
Sicily and other kindred institutions.
The Crispi cabinet was driven from of
flee as the result of these scandals. In
each case the insolvency of the bank ap-
peared to have been brought about
through the Matchmaking extortions to
which 1T was subjected by leading politi-
clans and government officials of the
day. Most of this dishonesty took
place, during the administration OF
Crispi.
Not even his most relentless enemy
has ever accused him of plundering the
banks to add to his private resources.
On the contrary his cOuntrymen for the
most part accepted his assertion thar
the money eXtorted from these institu-
tons was used by him for the secret
service OF the government and in elec-
toral expenditures.
Unfortunately for him, the judicial an.
thorities who inquired into the circum-
stances that led up to the failure of the
banks, discovered that among the most
yoracious of the plunderers was Signora
CrlSpl, the veteran stateSman's wife. 1t
was. stated at the time that from one
bank alone something like ten millions
of francs about $2,0OO,OO0), found its
way into her private banking account:
and it was urged and is still urged thar
Slgnor Crispi, not being rich man
must have known of his wifes predatory
demands, as in no other way could he
have accounted for the large sums of
money she expended upon her establish
ment while he was in power