The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-11
Counterfeiting
+ r A N G Z .

The ministerial crisis which has been i'm
pending in Paris for some days has at last re-
suited in the breaking up of M. Ollivier's
Cabinet. NJ. Buffet, Minister of Finance, has
thrown up his portfolio, and 1t is expected that
Count Daru, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and
the Marquis de Talhouet, Minister of Public
Works, will follow his example.
Buffet, the Outgoing Minister of Finance.
Louis Joseph Buffet, who vacates the office of
Minister of Finance, was born at Mirecourt, in
the Vosges, in the year 1918. Until the revou-
tion of 1S48 he was a lawyer, enjoying lucra-
tive practice In his native place, but was little
known in politics. He was, however, quite
popular with the people, and the active part he
took in the events which eliminated in the
overthrow of Louis Philippe recommended him
to public favor, and he was elected to the Legis-
lative Assembly for the Vosges by 73, 761 votes.
Although an openly declared enemy to socialism
and inclined to favor the Orleans dynasty, being
opposed to the revolution of 1S4S, NJ Buffet gave
in his adhesion to the republican constitution
and supported General Cavalgnac for the Presi-
dency. On the election of Louis Napoleon be
acquiesced in the decision of the people, ard
after the retirement of NJ. BiXio accepted Il
po, ,tfolio of Minister for Commerce and Agri-
culture. AS such and as a representative in
the Legislative Assembly his course conformed
to the views of the "party of order;" but as he
refused to adopt the political ideas which held
sway at the Palace of the Elysees he retired
from the Ministry, with M. Odillon Barrot, on
the 31st of October, 1849. Reelected to the
Assembly from the Vosges he became enc of
the most conspicuous members in the Important
sessions that followed. In 1850 he was ap-
pointed member of the committee charged,
with NJ. Baroche, to consider the project for
electoral reform. After the crisis of 1851,
which preceded the coup detat, he re-entered
the Parliamentary Cabinet as a representative of
the ideas of the majority, but soon after retired
with his colleagues because of his inability to
support the measures of the President So
highly was he esteemed by Napoleon that, not
withstanding their disagreement, some days
following his resignation he was decorated with
The Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Vi on the final establishment of the second
Empire NJ. Buffet withdrew from all participa-
ton in public affairs, and lived in retirement
until 1869, when he again appeared before the
public as successful candidate for the Corps
Legislatf. He was elected as moderate libe-
raj, but so tempered his opposition to the En-
peror that, when the crisis of last December
terminated in the overthrow of the irresponsible
ministry, he was at once aXed upon by the En-
peror and NJ. Olivier as member of the new
ministry. But when portfolios were first tend
cred him and Count Napoleon Daru, as the
recognized leaders of the Left Centre, they
declined, and it was not until after
the lapse of several days, and when the effort
of Olivier to form ministry was almost on the
point of failure, that they finally consented. On
January 3, the Journal 0ficieL announced the
completion of the new ministry and the appoint
ment and acceptance of M. Buffet to the Depart
ment of Finance. Through all the stormy
period which followed NJ. Buffet remained in
harmony with his colleagues until the announce
ment of the determination Of the Emperor for q
plebiScitum on the question of liberalizing the
Constitution. The Left Centre demanded the
Inauguration of these reforms without an appea
to the people, but when the question was pre-
sented directly to the Corps Legislatif on thC
5th of April, the ministerial programme wal
sustained by o vote of 227 to 43. From tina
time rumors of M. Buffets resignation have
been rife, and it is nog authoritatively an,
nounced.
M. Magne, his Probable Successor.
NJ Pierre Magne, who was the predecessor o
Buffet in the Department of Finance will doubt
less be his successor He was born at Perigeux
December g. 1906. He is a self-made man, being
of what is termed an ''obscure" family. In 1S3
he was admitted as an dooCdt or attorney, ant
was patronzed by Marshal Bugeaud. NJ. Foult
nOtlceu MS peculiar aOlllIy, uuu sOOn hllSlWaTu
took charge of his political fortunes. He be
came a member both of the Constituent aut
Legislative Assemblies in which bodies he wa
recognized as n practical man, although no
much of debating speech-maker. He retire
to private life in 1888, but was recalled to ofica
position as Under Secretary of State for Fl
nance in 1S49. April 10, 1851, he was appointe
Minister of PublicWorks, in which Office he wa
very successful during three or four years. ii
was an able advocate of railroad extension IL
France, and during the interim inspected all tn
main lines already laid down in the empire an
in other countries of Europe, adopting an
suggesting Improvements. From 1854 to 1876
he held to the portfolio Of Finance. In 1860 h
was nominated Minister without a p rtfolit
retired from the Cabinet in 1868 in consequence
of a disagreement with NJ. Fould, and wa
named Privy Councillor in April of the las
named year. In July, 1859, he was again cale
to the head of the Department of Finance an
held that position until relieved by NJ. Buffet
January, 1870. For time it was thought thi
he would be retained in the Cabinet under Il
new ministry, but it was found that there we
so many factions in the Liberal ranks to Co
ciiate that it would be necessary for him
vacate If the report that he is to re-enter Il
ministry should prove true, he will be an acce
sion 70 NJ. OuiYier's forces, lie Is Rp RccoI