Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1892 — A GIGANTIC SWINDLE, [ARTICLE]

A GIGANTIC SWINDLE,

Before Which AU Former Fradulent Schemes Pale Into In* significance. Fresh Development* in the Panama Smm»Turbulent Scenes in the Deputies— Numbers of Legislators to Be Prosecuted The Republic in Peril Many Duels Will Result. 0 ’ <••• ■ In th© French Chamber of Deputies at Paris, Tuesday, M. Floquet, the President of that body announced that he had received an appif cation for the prosecution ofM. Rouvier, ex-Minlster of Finance; M. Jules Roche,ex-Miuister of Commerce; E. Arene, member for Corsica; Antonin Proust, member for De Jevres; Baron •‘■’Oubeyran, member for Loudon, and Joseph du la Fanconnerie, member for Orno, ... H° stated that the application was made on the ground that the magistratVinthc” Panama canal case had received many check stubs in which appeared the Initials of deputies, and that-avidence against the individuals in question had been laid before the Parliamentary investigating com mission. The application could not be granted without the consent of the House. Thq Chamber decided that the standingcommittees should meet and consider the application. In the Senate M. Le jßoyer, the President, stated that he had received a demand for the prosecution of Senators Renault, Albert Grevy.i Beral, Thevonot and Deves for the partithey had taken in the affairs of the canal. The matter was referred to the standing committees. M. Rouvier appeared before the standing committee, of which he is a member, in his own defense. He said there was nothing in the evidence which would implicate him, and that he had served the State In high positions: for many yeardt and in many cases had deemed it his duty to preserve silence as to certain sic s, but the accusations agaiqst his honor had relieved him from all Obligations. There was nothing in the documents seized to prove that ho had ever received a check from anybody in the interest of the Pan-' ama Canal Company. He had served the State in high office for several years, and ho TiaT aTways deemed it his 'duty to preserve silence as regards certain facts. Before the Chamber resumed business this statement had'gqne abroad and caused Intense excitement in the lobbies. M. Rouvier was expected to refute in detai M Clemenceau’s charges. The gallerie 3 were packed. Deputies who had Intended to absent themselves from the sitting hurried back to the chamber. The report of the special committee, read by Chair man Alexandre Miller, favored the grant Ing of the application for authority* to prosecute. All waited impatiently for (he explanation of the accused members. Deputy Arene, charged by M. Andreux, late prefect of tffe police, with corruption in connection with the loan of 1888, was the first one to protest his innocence.

As M. Rouvier ascended the Speaker's tribune, every Deputy], leaned forward in tn attitude of attention, and the first words of his defense were delivered amid oppressive stillness. After reminding the Chamber of his long public service, his hitherto unquestionable record and the obligations to official secrecy which had previouslyclosed’ Tits mdnnr,‘ he made emphatic denial that he had accepted checks from the Panama Canal Company or its agents, nor had he any discreditable connection of any sort with the company’s enterprise. When he cams into power he found that the secret service fund was entirely inadequate for the defense of the Republic. As ho and his col* leagues must have the money which the lecret fund lacked, hp had recourse to personal friends for money to tide oyer the lifliculty. The confusion grew in the Chamber as the deputies became convinced that M Rouvler was evading the issue. Loud murmurs of protest greeted his first statement as to the secret service fund, and when ho suggested that the checks were contributions of his friends to the support of the Government there was an outbreak of bowls and laughter. Raising his voice M. Rouvier shouted: “What I did. all public mm have done. Ilad I not adopted that course the men now Interrupting me would not be seated on those benches.” Bedlam broke loose the moment the words were uttered. M. Rouvier made three attempts to be heard. After the demonstration had spent itself, he continued : “I am perfectly ready to go before any tribunal.' I h&Vo nothing to fear. I never derived the slightest benefit from the Panama Canal Company, I never defended its interests. I challenge investigation.” When order had been restored the report of the special committee in favor of the prosecution was adopted. Paul de Roulede then asked what action the disciplinary council of the Legion o r Honor had decided to take against Dr. Cornelius Herz. “This man.” M. de Ronlede said, “is not to be left with the insignia in his possession, although I grant he is a mos 1 Important man to the State, for he truly holds the reins of government.” M. de Roulede proceeded to make a mos t ylrulent personal attack on M. Clemenceau, “whose relations to M. Herz.” he said, “are too well known to need detailed description,” Amid renewed cheers and jeers he declared that M. Herz tried to buy the Boulangists with Panama money but they had refused to touch It. Despite M. Floquet’y repeated' protests, cries of “dissolution” and a general tumult, M. de Roulede again addressed himself to M. Clemenceau. “Why did this Herz give 200,000 francs to La Jusilce?” he shouted. M. Clemenceau, white with rage, sprang to bls feet, and shaking both fists toward M. de Roulede, shouted back an answer which nobody could hear. M, Clemenceau replied that M. Do Ronlede’s attaeks were pernir'.ous,sbwnefas and without foundation. Although he had no written proofs of his Innocence, \e defied M. De Roulede to substantial,,

lb, charges jest nsds. He would no answer these brazen slanders in the chamber, but would demand personal satisfaction Immediately after adjournment. The attacks of the last speaker upon MHerz were based on falsehood and imagination. Boulanger himself had not a more devoted friend than Dr. Herz. M. Clemenceau acknowledged that La Justice had supported capitalists occasionally,but denied that it had ever promoted business enterprises in the Interest of Dr, Herz. In conclusion M. Clemenceau. cried but: “De Rouledc has accused me of betraying my country by introducing foreign influence. De Roulede lies.” ; fAfter another scene of wild disorder, Lucien Millevoye, Boulangist deputy, for Somme.rose to defend the memory of Gen Boulanger against the aspersions east on itby M. Clemenceau. He then let loose a torrent of abuse on M. Clemenceau. In the consequent tumult. M. Millevoye turned upon M. Flou inet. who was trying • to restore order, and shonted at him u u insuiting name. Millevoyeclosed hisspeecli with the assertion that Herz wnN the paid emissary of a foreign power; The chamber t lien ad Jon rnfid. —--t~ The bitter feeling aroused during the morning led to many wrangles and tumultuous scenes, and it is believed that a number of duels will be the result. Deputies de Roulede and Millevoye have already sent seconds to Deputy Clemenceau.