The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-03
DAILY. so A YEAR.
CENTS A COPY.
WEEKLY 2-TIh ES-A-W EEK 81 A YEAR
CRISP AND THE LOST CASH.
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES APPOINTS
4 COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.

dicinI Indictment brought Against
the eN-Premier-COurt Held That
such Charges Must he Dealt With
ny PnrIiamcnt-Crispi Makes 10
speech Full of PnthOs.
Rome Dec 2.-To-day the Chamber of
Deputies appointed a committee of five to
inquire into the charges against signor
Francesca Crispi. former premier, in con-
nection with the Bank of Naples scandals
and The alleged illegal traffic in decora-
tions.
The proceedings are the result of the
recent decision of the Italian court of
cessation, which quashed tho judicial in-
dlctment brought against him, on the
ground that the ordinary tribunals of JUS
tice were not competent TO determine such
charges brought against a former mem-
Der OF the government or his conduct
while in the government. The court of
cessation held that such charges must be
dealt with by parliament, which was the
contention of Signor Crispi and the judi
cial proceedings were thrown out.
The special committee was appointed
after an impressive speech by Signor Cris-
pi, in which he declares he desired the
most ample and complete discussion of the
whole question and did not dread the
light. which, ne said could reveal moth
ing against him. Il am the victim of cal
umny." he asserted, "and should have
brought suit against my calumniators if
the matter had not been referred to the
chairman"
signor Crispi recalled his past labors on
behalf of Italy, and admitted that there
had been times when he had erred He
claimed however, from his conquerors an
unbiased judgment, and asserted that he
was prepared to testify before the COM
mittee so as 70 omit nothing, so that ths
matter might be probed to the deepest
adding pathetically "but it will be very
hard at 7S after devoting 63 years to the
service of my country"
This passage of the speech provoked vio-
lent Interruptions. and the president of the
chamber formally cautioned the two So
clalist deputies, who were particularly vir-
ulent
| Slgnor Crlspi, after order was restored,
said: Il remain calm even in the face Of
my adversaries' invectives. / have Sc
! rene conscience and shall die when my
| time comes with the name Of Italy upon
my lips But / ask to be allowed 10 pass
my last days quietly. II Italy needs me |
shall always be ready to serve her; but
do not have, and never have mad ambition
for power"
At the conclusion of his speech a num-
Der of the deputies gathered about him
to congratulate him and to shake his
hand.
sienor Crispi. the most brilliant Italian
ba ~ of CaVnur la
called upon 10 face In his extreme old
age not accusations of political crimes,
but ordinary felonies He has already
been subjected to the humiliation of mag
! isterial examination In connection with
charges OF completely in the gigantic
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
fee as the result of these scandals.
In each case the insolvency OF the pank
nDpeared to have been brought about
| through the blackmailing extortions to
which It was subjected by leading politi-
| clans. and government officials of the day.
Most OF this dishonesty took place during
| the administration of Signor Crispi. Not
| even his most relentless enemy has ever
accused him of plundering the banks to
add to his private resources. On the con-
trary. his countrymen for the most part,
| accepted his assertion that the money ex-
| torted from these institutions was used
| by him for the secret service OF the gov
| eminent and in electoral expenditures.
Unfortunately for him, the judicial au-
| thorities who inquired into the circum-
| stances that led to the failure of the banks
| discovered that among the most voracious
| of the plunderers was Signora Crispi, the
| veteran statesman's wife. Ii was stated
| at the time that from one bank alone
| something like ten million of francs (about
| S2 O0O,OOU found its way into her private
bank account; and Ii was urged, and is
| still urged, that Signor Crisp not being a
| rich man, must have known OF his wifes
| pedatory demands, as in no other way
| could she have accounted for the large
| sums she expended upon her establish-
| ment while he was in power.
Last spring, when the matter was before
| the courts, a friend of Signor Crispi un-
| dertook to explain the transactions which
| led up TO the collapse Of the Bank of Ma
! PIES According to this story, Signor
| Crispi just before the elections in 1885,
asked the Bank Of Naples for a loan of
| 400 900 lire for election expenses, the money
| to be repaid to the bank from the secret
service funds. Then came the downfall of
| the Crispi cabinet, with only little more
| than half of the loan repaid.
| Signor Crispi told King Humbert OF his
| predicament and his majesty gave 10000
| lire toward the remainder of the indebted
| ness, Baron Blanc furnishing what was
| necessary to make up the fuH amount.
| Thus, according to the story, Signor Crispi
| repaid the bank in fun.
When the accusations recently before the
| courts and now before the committee of
| the Chamber of Deputies was again re-
| vived with the talk of the prosecution. Sig
| nor Crispi hastened from Naples to Rome
| to demand an audience with the king and
showed him the receipt of the bank for
full payment, and demanded that his mai
esty put an end to what Signor Crispi
| characterized as =" the campaign of intus-
| tice."
The ex-premier, according to the story.
declared that unless his prosecutors were
| called off, he would defend himself to the
last, adding in such a case sire, two per-
sons will go into exile--I, as poor man.
and you with your millions"
The socialist press interpreted this lam
guage to be threat 6f disclosure That in
consequence of tip, King Humbert had
saved the whole amount OF his large de-
posits in the Bank of Naples before the
crash came.