, 1880-12-18

particular group, the Union Republicans.
The balance of power rests with him but
not power itself. 1t is evident that, what.
ever spirit of intrigue may be sscribed to
NJ. Gambetta, be did not wish that the
Ferry Ministry should fall. for it 10 mainly
due to his exertions that it has been replaced
IN Its very precarious and rather humilia-
ting position.
Many interpretations are possible of the
incident OF Tuesday. but by fac the most
probable seems to be this. The Ministry
formed during the vacation was not accep.
table to the Clemenceau party, or quite
trusted by the Union Republicans, aud
its first declarations through n. Jules Fer
ry were considered too moderate, the dis.
tinct and rather peremptory pledge about
the nunneries-"we shall not disperss the
female communities '-giving especial
offence. The air too 10 full OF suspicios.
and the Premier's statement that the Go.
vernment would give priority to the Edu.
cation Bills, and take up the Bills on the
Magistracy afterwards, gave rise to an idea
that the Cabinetdesired to avoid the attack
on the Judges and Procureurs for which ths
more violent Radicals are painting, They
think 1t impossible to tolerate 90 manv
lawyers in office who are hostile to the
Republic, and have been excited to q sort
OF intellectual frenzy by the frequent
retusals OF magistrates in tnejD departments
to carry out the DEGREES of March. The
Extremists, therefore, after having first
shown their temper by supporting the
demand OF NJ. Laissant (Radicai) for a Par.
Ilamentary inquiry into the charges
against General de Cissy, which the
Government opposes really for reasons of
diplomacy but nominally because a legal
investigation is already ordsred, proceeded
to pass on the Cabinet a direct slight.
Involving In principle a vote of no conf.
denoe. Any Administration must decide
on the comparative urgency of ito msa.
sures' Dut Nj Ballu proposed a motion
declaring that the Education Bill should
not be taken first. but the Bill for purifv.
ing the Maglstracy, and after that, accord.
Ing to the Times correspondent, the Bill
Tor Repeal Of the Concordat, thus relepa.
ting education to the thlrd position in
order OF time, and one behind two of the
most burning questions. NJ. Ferry fought
for his proposal, but the Right saw their
opportunity of overthrowing and discrsdit.
ing one more Government; and the
Advanced Left, reinforced by eighty.one
Roynlists and %Bouapartists, defeated the
Government by 200 to 166. Although
the House was not full, the total numbers,
the subject Of the vote, which was on a
purely administrative question, and the
fact that the Ministry had that moment
asked for full confidence, made this vote O
severe rebuke, and the Ferry Cabinet was
perfectly justified in placing its resigns.
ton in the Presidents hands. 1t had
been told that it could not be trusted even
to arrange the order OF business, lest it
should obey some arriere pens6e, and
neglect measures on which the Chamber
had set it's heart. That was the clear
intention of the vote, and after allowing
for a certain inconsequence. and even
thoughtlessness, 10 the habitual action Of
the Chamber. it 10 impossible to perceive
any other course which the Ministry could
have adopted with digoity, unless, indeed,
they had boldly demanded a vote of conf.
dence without ~resigning, a line Of action
for which there are many precedsnts.
The resignation struck a certain dismay
into all parties, except the Right, which,
exasperated by the March DEGREES and by
the near prospect of the elections, is as
Stunning the attitude of the Home rulers
in the British Parliament. M. Gr67y, o
styano Constitutionalist. ia weary of being