Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-07
The Change In the French Presidency.

Cable dispatches relate as follows the
events which Immediately preceded the
resignation Of President MacAlahon
At Saturdays cabinet meeting. NJ. Say
submitted list Of changes in the depart
ment Of the Treasury, which required the ap-
proval of the President The Marshal said
nothing, but asked NJ. Daiaure, the Premier,
to remain after the adjournment of the
cabinet. When they were alone the Marshal
said: 81 will not sign these deerees. Say
is minister who gets into passion. These
e1actions must not be made" Dufaure re-
piled "But Say is not a minister who goes
into passion. We all took formal pledge
at last Mondays sitting to make needfuI
changes and resolved on acting up to it."
"But surely" rejoined the Marshal, ''you
are not going to bring me heaps of dismissals
to sign?' Il hope we are all going, said
Dufaure, "to keep our word. We will no
make hecatombs, but will give every salts
faction to which public opinion IS entitled
We have each our list ready. | have mine
and the minister of war his. We are each
going to submit it to you ard hope you will
sign it, for by not signing it, so far from
screening the funetiOnaries you would per-
haps expose them, seeing that what we do
not do, others will do still more energetieal-
ly; and if you prefer, as you tell US. to re-
tire, not only will you not save those you
wish to protect, but you will jeopardize those
we are now really protecting" The next
day the Marshal signed the financial
changes. Dufaure, believing him won over.
on Tuesday, submitted decree affecting six
public prosecutors. The Marshal examined
it, and turning to Dufaure said 81 am go
ing to sign this but leave the responsibility
to you; - and he signed it. Gen. Gresley,
minister Of war, submitted his list. The law
provides for Is high military commands,
each entrusted to a general who may be re
lieved every three years. Of eighteen thus
appointed, nine have held their posts six
years next September. MacMahOn'5 idea Is
that not having been removed after three
years they ought to finish another term.
MacMahon declared: Il cannot sign this
decree superseding brave generals, my own
friends and companions. blush at the
thought 1t will have to be another who
does it. Political categories must not
be created in The army. | would prefer
to resign. My children would not for
give me for such an act" MaeMahOn's face
flushed, and he spoke hurriedly. The min
isters said nothing and adjourned. In the
afternoon the cabinet met again. After
much hesitation, they came to the conclusion
that if they were to give in on this point
they would be exposing the country to a
possible danger. Dufaure was charged to
inform MaeMahon that the ministers re-
solved unanimously to abide by the resolu-
tions. The resignation followed on Wednes-
day. On Thursday the Joint congress of the
senate and chambers was summoned to
nominate a new president, and Minister
Dufaurc having declined to be a candidate
Grevy was elected. Seven hundrel ard
thirteen senator's and deputies were present,
of whom 60 voted. Jules Grevy received
536 votes and Gen. De Chanzy 90. Greyy
was accordingly declared elected and pro-
claimed president of the republic for the
term of seven years. There was perfect
frenzy Of enthusiasm when the figures were
announced, the members of the left and the
public in the galleries rising in body and
repeatedly shouting, ''Vive Ia republIque."
This is no doubt that the change will be
good thing for France. MacAlahon, who
was elected president in November 1873, as
sort of military necessity, has ever since
been disturbing force in French politics.
lie is not at heart republican and when
ever his purposes have been crossed or his
plans have gone awry, threat to resign has
been his never-iailing refuge. Now that be
has done so. the regrets are chiefly confined
20 his generals, who of course applaud his
refusal to consent TO military removals. and
the mOnsrchists, who are now a small minori-
ty of the people Of France.