The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-01
The Crisis in Italy.

There l. nothing more striking in the
present aspect of Europe than the parlia-
mentary deadlock in Italian politics, COM
plicatod rs 1t j. with social disorders Of the
grayest character Notwithstanding the
policy pursued toward the revolutlonists
has been most crcdituhly sober and mod
crate, the machinery OF government il more
dsorganized, aud the popular agitation
oven more profound and dangerous, than in
the German empire
The extraordinary medley of factions in
the Italian Parliament renders the stable
existence OF any ministry or the vigorous
prosecution of any policy almost impossible
Neither Mr.. MINGHIsTrI, who represents the
Right, nor Mr.. ZANARDELLI, who controls q
fraction Of the Left, nor the friends OF Mr.
CRIsPI, nor the so-caled NIcorERA group,
are strong enough TO rule alone; nor, as
events have seemed TO prove, are they
capable Of loyal and lasting co6pcra-
tlon. The recent change Of ministry
amounted TO nothing more than the
substitution Of one leader Of the Left
for another; and although the Right ac-
cuscd Signor CARROLL Of weakness, in his
treatment Of the Socialist propaganda, and
on that ground aided in his overthrow.
there IS little reason to suppose that
his successor DEPRETGs, will crafty them
with more rigorous measures The fact is
that the present Chamber OF Deputies has
ceased 10 offer the scene Of struggle about
principles Of n collision between two great
political parties cmbodying the conscrva-
tive and the progressive instincts Of n ma
tion. 1t exhibits the modifying spectacle Of
n scramble FOR place among the personal adj
hercnts Of half dozen politicians, not ono
Of whom, if we except the late President Of
the Council, commands any high measure of
influence or popularity. Nor is such a state
Of things surprising, when We consider with
how little justice the Italian Legislature
can pretend to represent the people
As was pointed out by the late Minister Of
the Interior ZANARDELLI there is no coun-
try in Europe purporting to exercise free
government whore the right Of suffrage is
So narrowly restricted as it Is in the Italian
peninsula Even before the last Reform
net the electoral constituency in Great
Britain formed a much larger fraction Of the
population, and we may add that the lower
House Of the French Legislature under
LOUIS PHILIPPE was moro authentic cX-
poncnt Of tho national will Under the
existing laws the bulk Of the Italian popu-
lation, including both artisans and agricul-
turists, are excluded from the polls, while
the privilege of voting Is confined 10
"A class which experience has shown is UNI
likely 10 expand or to defend the liberties
Of nation, namely, the tradcspeoplc Of large
towns. The feeling Of discomfort with tho
limitations OF the suffrage has Of late grown
so bitter and vehement that even GARIBALDI
IS denounced as n traitor 10 his country. and
the services of the lbcrator are depicted as
the sacrifice Of Italy TO selfish bourgoolsie.
The result Is, that the shrcwdcst statesmen,
like Signor CARROLL forcxamplc, practically
recognize the nullity OF the existing Par
Lament, aud watch with special vigilance,
MS did English Ministers before the first Re-
form bill, the indications Of public opinion.
Had the electoral body been reconstructed
five or six years ago on wide and truly
popular basis il might have been easy To
appcasc the growing discomfort, aud check
the agralian movement which now Throat
ems the very structure Of society. Had even
the radical majority in the present Inria-
n"nt set themselves forthwith 10 prove the