Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-23
LEGISLATORS FIGHT.
FRENCH DEPUTIES EXCITED OVER
DREyFUs MATTER.
GENERAL MELEE AT ONE TIME.
Fisticuffs Resorted to in Various
Parts OF the House-Troops Call
ed In TO QueiI the Dfsorder-TaIlS
OF n Duel.

OF n Duel.
PARIS. January 22-The Chamber OF
Deputies was thronged to-day. and there
was great excitement when ex-MinIster
CaVaignac repeated the Interpolation OF
the government on the subject OF Drey-
ius, Of which he had previously notified
the ministry. He affirmed the existence
or report OF Captain Lebrun- Ronaud's.
containing a confession Of Dreyfus's 5,
whose guilt. he added, was thus estab-
hshed, and blamed the governments ST.
fence, which. the speaker claimed, per-
mitted criticism of an affair legally de-
cided. Mr.. Cavaignac asked the govern
ment TO furnish clear explanation OF
the situation.
The Premier, NJ. Meine, in reply, said
| ne could not communicate the contents
| Of Captain Lebrun- Ronaud's report. The
government did not think it right to pub
lish 1t because the ministers thought
parliamentary discussion would affect the
judicial standing OF the whole affair,
could not be closed.
The Premier said that the present cam
palgn, in regard to Dreyfus, was depora-
be. A great writer had used his pen to
dishonor the army prolonged applause
and protests) NJ. Meline blamed the news
papers for supporting Dreyfus, and de-
clared that the government had only 10
n g in, Inc. H. -,
At this point the president Of the cham
Der, NJ. Brisson. interviewed, and adjured
the deputies TO camness. and 10 set
an example at the critical moment, when
the streets were crowded with dsorderly
bands
Regarding the street disturbances, the
Premier said the government would know
how TO speedily quell them, and re-es-
tablish order.
THE government now needs" the Pre-
mier said, that the country should be
informed that the Chamber has support
ed the ministers" Great applause)
NJ. Cavaignac replied that the moral re-
suit sought had been attained, adding
that he desired to withdraw his Interpret
lation. This caused great excitement in
the house, and NJ. Jaures, the Socialist
leader. reintroduced NJ. Cavagnac's inter-
Continuing. NJ. Jaures characterized as
"les' the incomplete charges" filed in
the prosecution Of Zola. NJ. Debornis
Conservative accused NJ. Jaures Of be- |
ing the spokesman Of the Dreyfus syndi- !
cate, TO which NJ. Jaures replied: you |
are a scoundrel and a coward"
SERIES OF FIGHTS.
NJ. Debornis thereupon made a rush |
toward the tribune, but he was seized by |
several Socialists. and a series Of fights
ensued. during which NJ. DebOrnls fought
his way TO the tribune and struck NJ.
Jaures. The Conservatives and Socialists
charged the platform. and the melee be-
came general, with fighting and shouting
on all sides.
The President Of the Chamber, NJ. Bris-
son. being powerless to restore order,
left the chair. saying: II am going to
consult the Procurator-General."
A few minutes later the order was
given to clear the tribune, amidst the
greatest excitement among the deputies
and journalists. who were threatening
and jostling each other and almost
coming to blows. 1t was asserted that
NJ. Debornis had accused NJ. Jaures OF
being paid by the "Dreyfus syndicate"
After the attack made upon him, NJ.
Jaures was the object of an ovation upon
the part of the Socialist deputies. When
he order was given TO clear the tribune,
the reporters were invited to retire, but
before so doing several of them made
in favor of NJ. Jaures,
shouting. Bravo "Vive Jaures!'
The newspaper men and the public,
pouring into the Hobbies OF the house.
ound them occupied by armed troops
hat had been summoned when the dis
urbance began in the chamber. on
earning this many OF the deputies pro-
ested and the soldiers were Withdrawn.
rhe officers OF the House. under the
presidency Of NJ. Brisson, retired to con-
ult as to whether it was necessary TO
INFORM the public prosecutor of the cpl
ode. while at NJ. Brisson's request the
arious groups of the Chamber held eau
uses in order to consider the ACCESSIBILITY
f resuming the sitting. majority
cared a renewal of the disorders, and NJ.
,risson assumed the responsibility of de-
iding not to resume the sitting
The snectators. who had In the mean
lille assembled In excited groups out
lde the Palais Bourbon otherwise the !
hamber Of Deputies). were Gained by
he announcement Of the decision.
RES-DEBORNIS ALTERATION.
During the alteration between ". :
aures and Debornis. the latter shouted
, Jaures: you are unquestionably in z
~ nav of the Dreyfus syndicate :
To this NJ. Jaures shouted Hereby IN I
.plv. but he was unable to make himself
ard. In the meanwhile NJ. Doville was &
wing to throw an inkstand at the head +
M Debornis. but was restrained by the
,Duties around him. l.
Several persons I'm the press galleries 4
,changed blows during the uproar and q
ie people i'm the public galleries climbed
on the seats, shouting encouragement
abuse at the deputies.
There is much talk OF a duel between s.
Debornis and NJ. Jaures, but the
lends Of the latter declare that he viii
It fight.
OLENCE OF THE PROCEEDINGS. r.
)uring the free fight in the chamber o.
Gerault dealt NJ. Debornis a violent c
w I'm the eye. NJ. Devin threw an ink 81
at NJ. Debornis. whom he missed but 70
, ink spattered over the deputy, whose -,
20 was drenched with blood and ink. "
Debornis was extricated by his friends &
m underneath a mass Of Socialists, IN
NJ were hammerng him. one member u
the Chamber tainted from loss Of blood ce
excitement ~
he NIussulman Deputy Grenier, whose III
han was torn off during the scrim- u
qe was seen to be praying aloud, with NJ
aised arms. ~
he bureau Of the Chamber has decided r c
the deputies who participated n
rfn