The New York herald., 1879-02-05


Communists who have already been pardoned (the ef
feet OF which would be to relieve the pardoned from
police surveillance and that they will not support
any impeachment scheme. The Times correspond
ent ut Paris reports that NJ. Lepere. the Minis
ter Of Agriculture and Commerce will be
protectionst free trader. according
to the ideas he forms while in Office.
The Cabinet, except on the points mentioned yes
terday. has agreed general principle, but will
lead kind Of from dayto-day existence. expecting
neither immortality nor premature demise.
THE RETIRING PREMIER OF FRANCE.
Jules Armand Stanis Dufaure, who yesterday ter
minated with the respect of his fellow republicans
long, useful and honorable career as statesman, is
undoubtedly one of the most remarkable of living
Trenchmen. With the exception of the venerable
historian, Francois Mignet. he is the Oldest member
OF the French Academy Din years, not in length OF
membership, and. with the exception of Count
Montalivet, who Is his junior by three
years, he is the only survivor of the Cab
met Ministers of Louis Philippe. In versa
tility Of public service NJ. Dufaure has no peer
among contemporary statesmen. he having been
. minister under the Orleans monarchy, the Repub-
lie or Cavalgnac, the tfanSltlOu government Oh tue
Prince President Louis Napoleon. the Republic of
Theirs, the reactionary experiment OF Dc Droglie
and BUFFET the nondescript government of Marshal
MacMahon, and finally. though for a few days only.
under the genuine Republic of Jules Grevy and Leon
Gambetta. 1t is really surprising that in all these
executive mutations not whisper ever heard
accusing NJ. Dufaure of participation in any projects
of q subversive character, his single object having
been at oil times to discharge his high trusts in the
interest OF an enlightened public sentiment.
Jules Dufaurc was born nt Saujon, Saintes. in
the Department of Lower Charente, December 4,
1T9s The region of his birth comprised the medieval
province of Saintongc. named from the Santones Of
Julius Caesar. and still notable for triumphal arch
of Germanicus and for the tomb Of St. Eutropius
an alleged martyr of the third century. In more
cent times Saintcs the of battle in which
Henry ILL., of England was defeated by Louis TX. of
France and it suffered cruelty during the religious
wars the inhabitants being chiefly Protcstants and
partsans of the League. strong flavor OF locality
has always been discernible in the character of
Dufaure, who, after studying law at Paris and
becoming advocate ut Bordeaux, entered public
life in 1884 at the mature age of thirty-six years.
as liberal Deputy for his native reimbursement OF
Santes which he continued to represent until ls4s
Comparatively few particulars Of the early life Of NJ
Dufauro have been recorded; but learn that
among his early friends and professional companions
were the late Senator Chalk d'Est Angc and the
venerable geographer vivien de SsintMartin. NJ
Dufaure took remembered part In the turbulent
politics Of tho Bourbon monarchy the establish
mont Of the House of Orleans but his first political
distinction was won as supporter OF the Theirs
Ministry. He was appointed by Theirs Counsellor
Of State. February ~, 1885, but resigned the fall
of the Ministry September 9. of the same year. and
of fha NTolA Al;
attacking it from the tribune and in the COM
mittce rooms. Ho became prominent for his
ceaselcss activity and his sturdy independence
and by his discourscs against the address Of
February $780, contributed largely to the overthrow
of tho Mole Ministry despite the dissolution of the
Chamber. On the advent to power of the coalition
Cabinet, under Marshal Souit. on the day after tho
last republican uprising headed by Barbes and
Banqui MAY IS. 1880, NJ Dutaure accepted the Min
istry of Public Works. which then for tho FIRST
time made separate portfolio. Along with his COL
leagues of the Right Ccntre-MM Villemain, Pussy,
Duchatcl and Testc he had to bear the br,nt of Wig
orous parliamentary attacks ana distinguished him
self by his speeches the great question of State aid
to railways On the advent Of the Theirs Cabinet of
March /, 1870. M. Dufaure preserved an attitude of
neutrality. he also did toward the Guzot Cabinet
of October 90 in which he declined the portfolio of
Public Works. He the author and defender
of the first general law upon railway con-
struction. and upon its passage. in 1912.
large gold medal struck in his honor. While
rendering general support to the Guizot Ministry.
which included several of his former colleagues. NJ.
Duaurc opposed the project for the forthcation Of
Paris and the treaty which lcgazed the right OF
search. He had become about 1874 the chief of an
independent fraction of deputies remarkable
for personal weight than for numbers. and after
being once elected vcc President OF the Chamber of
Deputies by Ministerial influence, he reelected
70 that post in 1Si5 by the votes of the opposition.
During tho asitations preliminary TO the revolution
OF isAs he opposed the movement of the "refornist
banquets but after the decisive event he rendered
loyal support to the government. Chosen TO the
Constituent Assembly for his native department. no
acted with the moderate democrats gave his vote for
the Punishment of tho Orleans family. and was dc
fcatcd by few votes candidate for tho Pres
idency Of the Assembly after the troubles of June.
He was member Of the Constitutional ComInittce,
and distinguished himself by firm but kindly re.
sistanco to all the wild socialstic projects then de-
manding acceptance
On the 18th of October. 1sls NJ. Dufaurc succeeded
NJ senard Minister OF the Interior under General
Cavaignac AS such his principal task TO super
intend tho Presidential election then approaching,
and his most ardent efforts directed to procure
the reelection of General Cavaignac whom he rec.
commended as being "a man and not nanc." to the
suraues Of the great middle class AS is well known.
however, the result of the election overwhcm-
inaly In favor of Prince Louis Napoleon whose
dature the Minister of the Interior had opposed by
all legal measures. Retiring from Office along with
uenora Cayaignac, NJ Dufaurc was reelected to tho