New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-08

shall 90 out every second year. This scheme,
IL is argued, is at variance with the Consutu-
tion-a Constitution that can be amended
with the utmost facility by the Chambers
and the system of periodic renewals lmpairs
the mower of the President of the Republic 10
dissolve the Lower House with the con-
cent of the Senate, albeit it Is plain
that that mower will remain as 1t
il until the Constitution IS changed.
But whether the scheme be constitutional or
not. the Scrutin de Liste. it is assumed, Is
extremely unpopular and will be oppoSeu ny
President Gr6vy himself, who cannot under
stand why the system by which the present
Republican Chamber was chosen Is not petter
than the one whereby dhe Reacaonary Assem-
bly of 1871 was elected. Finally, all other
objections being waived, it IS charged that
Gambetta adopts an undignifed mode oil bring
ing his measures before the country. lie does
not introduce them in the Chamber himself
and identify himself with them. but co0lly
invites the Deputies to breakfast with him
and then aequaints them with his Wlshes'
The informality with which the Dictator ex-
ercises irresponsible power is becoming simply
intOlerable
The argument always breaks off at this
point. The correspondents invariably fail TO
point out Gambetta's successor as the master
genius of French Republication. AS he de-
creases, some fortunate rival must increase.
Where shall we look for TIE coming LeaderY
On the floor Of the Senate, among the for
mer Premiers whom Gambetta has depOsed
De Freycinet, blameless in life, austere In
manner. with a determined will and re-
markable capacity for administration, was the
strunrest of them, and he went down like
man of nth the moment he assumed to act
INDEPENDENTLY of the Republican leader.
Among the Deputies under whose eyes he has
fashioned what is fast becoming the best
working legislative system in existence
Brisson is the strongest of them, and he is
Gambetta's lieutenant, acting as such only a
fortnight ago in opposing the Divorce bill.
Or shall we look beyond the Legislature
Gambetta is one of four Presidents in
the highest councils of the Nation. Is his
rival one If these cOlleaguesf Leon Say
has distinguished himself alike in Cabinet and
in debate. Although his career has retained
O certain degree OF consistency, he has shown
marked talent for adapting himself to po-
litical necessities While he has not exposed
himself to the reproach Of being political
trimmer, he has remained prominent figure
as much from dexterity as from administrative
capacity. When the Waddington Ministry
went down and De Freycinet refused to form
a Cabinet of which Leon Say should be member,
the Finance Minister'S course seemed to have
been run but in q few months he was sup
ported by Gambeta's. followers as con-
yenient candidate for heading Off Gam
betta's enemy. Jules Simon, for the Presidency
of the Senate. He is Gamhrttas man, and so
also is the President OF the Council. Jules
Ferry could not have faced the Chambers after
his appointment as Premier, if Gambetta had
not found it nconvenient to replace him. He
fails precisely as Waddington and D. Frey
cinet have failed before him. The personal
impulse which he gives TO the Cabinet Is not
strong enough to release him aud his associ-
ates from the domination OF the superior Will
and more lucid intelligence Of the President
Of the Chamber.
There remains the President OF the Repub-
lie. Jules GreYy is as patriotic as Washing
ton and as Indifferent to the pOfnps and
vanities of Office, and as pure and simple
in his ideas of official dignity IA Jctier-
son, A Liberal before he was a Republican
and a patriot Of the highest political wisdom,
he was chosen President because his Loyalty TO
constitutional law and his popularity with all
classes and parties made him at once the SAT-
est and the most convenient candidate. So long
as the author of the Amendment OF 1913 re-
mains the tenant of the EIysee, the President
of the Republic will be the humble servant OF
the Chambers, and practically poweress 10 re-
sist the will or appeal from the decisions Of
Rochefort's "POpe of OppOrtunisn."
So long az Gambetta stands without rival
among the Senators, Deputies aud Presidents
of France, he is q leader who can shape the
public policy set up and knock down Minis
ters, and exert supreme influence over the
Administration, without being forced to accept
the responsibilities Of Office. Even if the funda-
mental principles of the British Constitution
are dsregarded- 10y the way there is
channel that divides Great Britain aud France
it is a great gain for the young Republic to
have n leader who belongs to the future rather
than the present-whO is neither President nor
Premier, but a political force held in reserve.
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TIE XLVITH CONGRESS-.
The XIVIth Congress went out OF beIug in a