Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-18
A VICTORY FOR THE REPUBLIC IN
FRANCE.

The vote OF "urgency," or the previous
question, has been carried on the Consti-
tutional bill introduced by the Left Centre
in the French Assembly. The majority is,
indeed, very small, but the fact that there
is majority at all on such question
proves that the definite constitution OF
Republic in France is still among the
probabilities of the immediate future. A
fortnight ago the political situation in the
Assembly was thus described: 1.-The Left
Centre requires the immediate organiza-
ton of Republican Septennate. The
Right Centre desires the organization of
an impersonal Septennate in the present
form, without the Republic being pro-
claimed. The Lett demands dissolution,
and the Right wants to have nothing at
all organized" The attempts to carry
out the programme of all other sections of
the Assembly having failed, the Left Cen
tire appears to have succeeded in securing
for its plan of Cancellation the support of
the parties on either side of it. To the
Conservatives it offered the confirmation
of the seven years term of Marshal Mac
Mahon, and the check of second cham
Der upon the decisions of the popular rep
resentative body. To the Radicals it pre-
sented the bait of calling the head of the
State, elected by the Assembly, President
of the Republic, and the certainty of dis
solution before the election of the new
Corps Legislatif. To the large body OF
vacillating politicians, who want the truce
of parties to be maintained till they can
make up their minds which is the strong
est. the project of the Left Centre has the
recommendation that it still leaves the
way open for the partial Or total revision
Of the Constitution, by such bills as may
be hereafter submitted.
Such is the bill now before the Assem-
bly,, with fair prospect of promptly be-
coming law. 1t is really only political
settlement for six years, but. considering
the bitterness with which the Legitimists
have fought against shutting the door of
the Constitution in the face of their King
till 1880, and, considering the jealousy
with which all sections of Monarchists and
Bonapartists have regarded the proposal
to constitute the Republic for any period,
however short, the advance made by yes
terday's vote toward political permanent
cy, is no contemplate one. Constitutional
government threatened to become impos-
sible in France, because no Ministry could
advance step beyond provisional and
temporary make-shiits without forleiting
its existence. Useful legislation, decorous
debate, even, were becoming daily more
difficult to secure, since the Assembly had
begun to periodically resolve itself into a
screaming. gesticulating mob, bandying
threats, recriminations, and personal in
suits, with violence that would have
been ludicrous had it not been suggestive
OF impending revolution. A common basis
on which all Frenchmen may unite to
work for their country's advancement has
been found at last. The truce of Bor-
deaux" has served its turn, and it is to be
hoped that the organization of the seven
years Republic will be proceeded with in
way which will fifty prepare France fol
the lasting possession of popular govern
ment.-New York Times.