The New York herald., 1879-11-29
The Approaching Legislative
Session.
TACTICS OF THE FACTIONS.
A Herald Correspondent Interviews President
Greyy and Jules Simon.
GAMBETTA CHECKMATED.

Those who have some little experience of life will
recognize the fact that is not the people whom one
desires to approach that the most easily ac-
cessible. have just had occasion to convince myself
OF it. it, indeed ever had any doubt the subject
Feeling cesirous of ascertaining the opinions OF
of the leaders of the Republican party. minis
as we'll as legislators, regarding the political
situaton. I set myself earnestly to the task.
Although in these positions, elected as they
by the popular VOTE should have nothing to conceal
Is regards their intentions their programme the
only result that have been able to arrive at is the
conviction that they all laboring more or less
under the influence of apprehension. use the word
apprehension advsedly. for tnat of "reserve will
not express my meaning. Reserve conveys the idea
Of something different from mutsm. and it was with
mutism the most absolute that had to contend;
not official mutism merely, be it understood. for the
only political parsonage OF any note with whom
succeeded in speaking somewhat freely has off,
rial position. and even he confessed himself ap-
proving. or rather not disappearing. the declara-
tions previously made by HIM and which had been
their order
A VISIT TO NJ GREvY.
The FIRST parsonage to whom thought Of address,
ing myself the President of the Republic-M.
Grevy.s friend who has his entrees at the Elysee
and whom. account of his position, 1t would not
be prudent to name took me to the Palace. We
neither Of us had any idea of tho audacity Of the
proceeding to which wo had committed ourselves;
1t seemed SO natural. My introducer undertook to
take me with him OF his visits to the Presi-
dent, who is easy of approach. and to let me
verse with him. All this. as have said, appeared
quite natural to us, taking into account the sim
pcity Of habits which the former President Of the
Chamber continues to observe in his new sphere.
While we were waiting In the crimson salon, which
is hurg with large paintings the President entered.
and on his passage through the apartment stopped
to talk to my friend, who introduced me by name
emitting. however. my quality as journalist A
hurried conversation ensued, such usually takes
place between people whose moments are precious.
There must have been a council Of Ministers con-
voked for that day. from something which tell from
M. Grevy. seized upon the fact to observe:-
'It appears. Monsieur le President that your min
listers not very united?"
"You are mistaken" replied NJ. Grevy. ''I know
that reports to the contrary in circulation. but
there is no foundation for them.''
As there is said to be fro without smoke, Your
Excellency,"I said. perhaps it is with the Execu
tive that the Ministry is not in accord?'
"rhat is another error" replied NJ. Grevy. ''The
President of the Republic and his Ministers per-
fectly agreed as to their policy"
'And yet there points in which they may well
Article T."
81 believe that it will be voted. replied M Grovy
"And the plenary amnesty ram.nestie pleniere)s"
"The Chambers seem to have exhausted the ques
hon," was the reply.
'rhe fabricators Of Ministerial crises may find in
It elements of strife?" observed.
The conversation was here interrupted by a secre-
tary who in search of the President.
The few words interchanged between us did not
satisfy me. / allowed few days to elapse, during
which made efforts to arrive at tho other promi-
nent men whom wished to interview; then when
had NJ. Jules Simon. Of whom shall speak
presently. asked to be received again by tho Presi-
dent of the Republic. should repeat that on my
first meeting with him he could scarcely have re-
tained my name. still less could he have supposed
that was a newspaper correspondent. as the fact
was not mentioned to him. My application on this
second occasion was strongly supported. and
ceived letter asking me the nature Of my business
with the Chief or the State. replied that
quested by my journal to make a pom and
Ink sketch Of him. to describe tho members of his
Cabinet. and to relate every thing connected with
them that might be interesting to American readers.
added that M. Theirs and Marshal MacMahon had
oblgingly lent themselves to similar indscretions.
was sent for next day and then informed that
It principle with NJ Grevy not to converse.
compelled to remain satisfied with the few words
CLEANED the passage of the President and related
above. They embrace merely the important declara-
on that the President OF tho Republic believes in
the passage Of Article by the Senate.
The chief of the State not wishing to be more
picit addressed myself elsewhere. made re-
quests for interviews through particular friends of
NM. wsddington and Freycinct. was refused,
but refused timidly. aud that only after several
postponements. Whether these rcfusals come from
the Ministers themselves or from their en-
tovrdge am unable to say, but they
were in each instance accompanied with the
usual polite formula ''rhat they were made In ac-
cordance with general rule. which had refer.
sncs to the NEW YORK HERALD. which was hold in
high cstpem. nor to its correspondent who was per-
sonally agreeable to tho Minister" &C.. &c. In
short they did not want to mo. and not being
able to complete my task of interviewing these two
Ministers, 1 folt that the others but Of little
importance ana made effort to see thcm.
N. aAMBETrA
next endeavorcd to interview NJ. Gambctta, who,
chief Of the majority without being head of tho
Cabinet. is more master of France than the Exccu-
tive himself. aud more Minister In his single person
than all tho Ministers combined. The realization OF
this intention presented serious difficulties. apart
from othor considerations. from tho fact that the
President Of the Chamber of Deputies. after his
turn from a long absence from Paris. being
whemed with both visits aud work. "Do not ask We
minutes of me for the next fortnight he said to the
drectress OF the Revue Nsurec. the day previous to
that on which requested hor to obtain for per-
mission to visit him. His announcing in this
fashon that lie would not go TO tho soirees of Mmc
Edinond Adam was equivalent to saying that ho
would not leave his apartments at the Paais Bour-
bon for the period specified. 1t was. therefore. to
his residence that 1t would be necessary for me TO
70 III wanted to speak with him. In order to OBJ
tain access to him concluded that would nd.
dress myself TO the good Offices OF my confrsres of
tho Rtpubtiq1 Fransa,se was received there by M.
Rsnc who obligingly placed himself at my disposal
although he did not hesitate to toll that ho did
not expect I would succeed. Taking the chances 1
gave him resume OF the questions which proposed
to put to the President OF the Chamber.
After an interval of q few days received from M