The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-08
Contemporary Statesmen.
NJ. MAGNE, FRENCH MINISTER OF FINANCE.

Finance is not a branch of knowledge
much cultivated in such schools of states
manship as the "Flying Frog " of Monaco.
OF the Dead Rat" of Paris. M. GEORGES
Cavalier (popularly known as Pine en-
Bois), though elevated to the post of
secretary to the triumvirate of Tours, was
not the sort of man who would have at.
!racIed much capital to railway company
II placed in the position of it's chairman.
Whatever might be his merits as an en-
glneer. 1t is true that Maitre Laurier. who
acted as the Dictator Gambetta's pri vate
secretary, ably negotiated a successful
loan aided as he was by the Republican
Jupius Spencer Morgan and Co.. But this
Is an exception which more than con
hrms the rule; for, since NJ. Laurier has
| succeeded as fnancier, he is understood
| 10 nave :" cut the Red connection. Con-
scious of the general prepossession' IN tho
part Of people who have something to lose.
against the financial capacity and trust.
Wortlisess of his political associates, M.
Gambetta has been driven, for the sake of
n ms own reputation, to seek a coign of
yy:antage from which he cannot be easily
dlslodged. A candidate for the represen-
tation of Bristol once proved himself to be-
a sonne politician by saying "ditto to
to Edmund Burke. M. Ganbetta ia verv
safe In saying ditto to III. Magne.
among the most beneficial results to |
er OF M. Theirs, must be reckoned the re-
Versai OF ms financial policy. It may also be |
saiu that his wrong-headed obstinacy in |
PerseVering in it created most of his noii
elcai difficulties. Lord Palmerston pro-
.lactlng session into the autumn, in order
60 carry his Divorce Bill, found perverse
imltator, from the like sheer wilfniness. in
the ex President of the French RennbIic
VINO sacrlhced his friends, his temper and his
own aRd the public time, to carry, during the
Iog days OF 1877, tax upon raw materials.
1t ls supertluous to add that the budoet of
which such project was the basis. proved :
20 oe Dag OF wind and Mr.. Magne has
had 10 deal with deficit created by this
gross blunder, in addition to embarrass-
nents That We're already sufficiently ap-
9 9a Inc natterers of M. Theirs have
oeen IN the habit of speaking Of him as if
ne mad, by his sole energy and capacity.
eheVeu France in a year or two of tbe | Il
noTmous load of the German indemnity.
re mas done nothing of the kind. M.Buf- a
G Ta was the first to point out what Mr. -
lscharged her debt, she has only changed
OF creditors 1t is true that the German
ccupatlon has been terminated far within
ne period to which it might have extend. HI
ouT looking at the matter merely from E
financial point of view, M. Theirs has
one his country far more harm in one II
ear oy his mischievous Legislation, than FFr
10 presence of the enemy for the same ii
erlod could possibly have caused, II ia
rtunate for France that she still possesses A.
man like Mr. Magne, to repair, as far "a ~
osslble, by his ability and experience , a'
e ;, evil caused by tho despotic obstinacy
Mr.. Theirs. '''U'n"oy
Fierre Magne was born ut Pericueux IN A.
9 I'D OF December, l5OG. After bolGin1 AS
/ snort time, small appointment in L
g prefecture of that city, he prepsre az, pro
nseit for the profession of an ad vacata no n
~ some time after his admission to tho
I, was appointed counsellor to the nreo j
'G1re. He was returned to the Sbamher o
DeP9ties In 1913, and continued to sit OF OF,
Ri, L."'S' 1910 Ills capacity for gen
one business was soon recognized in the ser,
am Der, and having had, through MAJ
all Bugeaud's influence, the affairs " Of
seria submitted to him for special sfudV
made himself 80 completely master of
subject, especially in its financial bear !,
~ that, from one stop to another. he ne,
8 on the point of having a snec;aI dent
nlstry, with the control of AIger;an na ~
.ifs, created for him, when the Rev cent
ton came to e1tinguish, for a time. div,
hopes and his public life tooetbar or oP9 q
towards the end of 1s49, he was caIle ~,