, 1880-01-28

Setting aside the Republican frac-
tions OF the Chamber OF Deputies, the
majority is divided ioto four main sections.
The Lett Centre counts only Al members;
the Pure Lett. or Goueke. Repauica'ne.
the largest section. 1853 members ; the
Advanced Left. or Union Rspubl,caiss, 1s2
members /: the Extreme Left So members,
with some 90 unattached or independent
members. To the Senate, the Lett Centre
and the Pure Left are nearly equcl Ia
numbers. while the Advanced and Tx
treme Loft together command less than
90 votes. The Washington administra-
ton, with the Premiership and the Port
tolios of Foreign Afaits and Finance In
the hands of two leaders OF the Lett
Ceatre. rested principally upon the suV-
port OF the Pure Left. But 1t mas peen
shown that this combination was not 70
be trusted, and there was undoubtedly q
strong temptation to attach the AdVancoo
left. with 1S2 votes to the government.
The Pure Left and the Advanced Lett con-
Joined are q majority of the Chamoer'
while the Left Centre and pure Lett were
O minority. II remains to be seen whether
the Advanced Left will be content. VIII
portfolios bestowed by NJ. de Freyclnee
upon NJ. Cezot, who, with NJ. Lepere ana
Nj, Tirard, represents the Union Repuo-
liicaine. N. de Freycinet himself and all
the rest of bis colleagues belong to the
Pure Lett. It is possible, however ina, y
par, only of the Advanced Lett WIS 20
coociliatsd by M. de Freyciuet's conccsS'
ions, aad THAI practically if not i'rmauy'
another independent and dlstrusttul pr"y
will be formed Oh the borders OF tn EN
treme Left, aud gravitatiug towards tue
revolutionary and Socialist views OF 'na'
section. The danger is that M. de Frey
cinet arl his colleagues may not nave
force and weight enough to check the as
migrating process. They are all certain
" respected, aud some OF them ara
known to be able /; bat the country IS
scarcely familiar with their names. oocn
men ia position OF political authority
may be tempted into rash enterprises Dy
the hope of rendering some conspicuous
public service and creating tor themselves
a place in history. Or they may not nave
the courage of statemen who are oetter
known aud trusted in withstanding tne
impatience of less responsible politicians.
1t seems doubtful whether even NJ
Gsmbetta himself, if be had chosen
to accept the responsibilities OF office
could have brought together the elements
of y stable and trustworthy malouty
10 the present. Chamber. M. de Froycl-
nets attempts to achieve this indispeusa-
bic condition OF Parliamentary government
will nave the good wishes and the sympathy
of this country. but it must be Recognized
that the task is O difficult one, and that
failure might be disastrous 10 the Repub-
lie. It will he observed HAT, although
the coalition Of tho Advanced Lett with
the Pure Left, which is represented by
the new Cabinet, commands a majority
in the Chamber, the exclusion of the Left
Centre weakens the Government in the
Senate, where the, other sections of the
Left constitute less than one-third of the
entire House. So long as the Ministry
keep in the paths of moderation they can
reckon, doubtless, on the independea~
support of the Senators Of the Eeft Cen.
tire: but if measures should be introduced
to satisfy Radicalism, the Republican ma
iority 10 the Senate will be assuFedly
broken up. akl j