The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-03

we're but 10 Republicans in the third actually
drawn, against SO Conservatives, Of whom IA
are Bonapartlsts and AZ Monarchlste. 1t
followed that II the Republicans could Sc
cure the seats thoy now hold and wrest
about score from their opponents they
would command n majority Of the whole
body, and be able TO fill up any Of the life
Sonatorshps which may fall vacant.
IL was conceded on all hands that such
result was extremely probable, provided an
election took place at once, In the existing
state Of the public mird. This would be
plain upon a glance at the Senatorial con-
stituency, wherein the democratic element
is largely prcpondcrant. The new Senators
are to be chosen by an electoral body, made
up on the one hand OF 1856 municipal dele
gates (who are usually the Mayors Of their
respective communes) and on the other
hand of 173 Deputies, ST. General Council
lors, and LIS ACCOMPLISHMENT Councillors,
the latter classes OF voters being rela-
lively insignificant In point Of num-
bers. We should mention that the figures
named refer to the Departments drawn by
lot, and do not include the vacancies caused
by death In other Departments, which, how
ever, are required by law TO be filled up at
the same time In view Of this state OF facts,
the Conservatives based their only hope
OF arresting Republican success on post
pOncment OF the elections. They trusted
that the delay would give the Left time to
compromise itself by some ill-considcred
measure or infammatory uttcrance, and 1t
must be confessed that experience to some
extent justified the expectation. They de-
clarcd, accordingly, that Senators were
elected for three years, and not three legis-
| lativc sessions, and that the Marshal had no
RICH. to convene the electors before the sth
| of March At first sight the Conservatives
| appeared 20 be technically right, although
| the Republican exposition Of the law Is sup
ported by common sense, and also, 1t would
seem, by French parliamentary prccedcnts.
Here was question. however. as TO which
something might be said on both sides. In
other words, a prctcxt was found upon
which the Marshal II still amenable to the
pressure which shaped his action on May
| 16, 1877, might defer, IL not defeat, Republic
can ascendancy in the Senate. There was,
therefore, an intense feeling OF anxiety re-
specting MACM ,HoN's course when his
present Cabinet presented the decree fixing
the election for January. II was not UNI
reasonable to expect that II the Marshal re-
fused to sign, all the old distrust en-
tcrtained by the radical leaders would
be rckindled, the existing ministry shaken,
and perhaps dissolved, and the per-
mancnt existence of republican institu-
tions once more brought into ques-
tion. BY such alarm aud agitation II seemed
by no means impossible In the face OF past
experience to throw the country into such
confusion as TO afford color for reaction
AIRY schemes. At all events, so long as a
republican majority in the Senate could be
postponed. the republic was not impregna-
bic Such were the interests at stake and
we are told that IL was not without obIec-
tions that IMAGINATION signed the DEGREES.
He knew that the act committed him past
recall, that it was decisive rupture
with the monarchical party. Before
going to the Cabinet Council. one
Of the minister's. II is said, had
to explain most clearly and impressivcly
the construction put by the cabinet upon the
law, and even then the Marshal delayed his
signature until VI. DUrAURE, the President
OF the Council. had again cXpounded the
whole matter. Ucncciorward the head Of
the Government Will be held throughout
France to have broken with his old advisers,
and to have honestly accepted the republic
Henceforward, too there Is small doubt that
the Senate at the next session will exhibit a
republican majority. Indeed it is SUI
ilciontly attcst"d by the wrath II the con-
scryatlye organs at what they call uncon-
stitutonal haste that they anticipate defeat