New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-24
Chamber Chamber
OF 1877. of 1881.

The moderate sections of the Republican
party have profted mainly by the elections, so
far as the results have been ascertained The
Pure Left and Left Centre have gained sixty
seats while the Advanced Left, or Republican
Union, has only added ten to its muster. The
Moderate Republicans may improve their posi-
ton when the second ballots are taken on
Sunday week. but they cannot secure clear
majority of the Chamber. The balance of
power will rest where it has during the last
four years-with the Republican Union, known
as the Advanced Left, and not to be identified
with the Extreme Left. This section of the last
Chamber comprised two nearly equal groups--a
moderate half whose sympathies ranged with
the Pure Left and a radical half whose votes
were controlled by the leaders of the Extreme
Left. So long as the more docile section sided
with the moderate elements of the party, the
Cabinet of the day could depend upon the POI
litical support of n working majority in the
Chamber Whenever the dissidcnt members of
the same group united with the Extreme Left
the Cabinet had to face the menace of n coali-
ton of the Right and the Radicals, by which
they were liable to be outvotcd This danger
which has rendered the position of the recent
Cabinets so unstable, will be sensbly dimin-
ished. The net loss of the various factions of
the Right is already forty three, the second
ballotings, which occur mainly in districts for
mcrly hello by them, not being taken into ac-
count ibis loss Will undoubtedly be still
further increased, so that they will no longer
have the power Of prccipitatng political crisis
by joining the Radicals. If every other mem
Der of the Advanced Left who has been elected
thus far will vote with the Moderate Republic
cans on Cabinet questions, n working majority
has been already secured without reference to
the second elections in sixty-fv districts.
The Paris press is quoted rs assuming the
defeat of the Extremists of the Left as we'll as
those of the Right If this restless group finds
its numbers reduced in the new Chamber. its
influence over the more outspoken Radicals of
the Advanced Left may he somewhat impaired
The prestige it has gained by whiting down
NJ. Gambctta's majority to so fine a point and
the lucid intelligence and undoubtcd political
capacity of its leader, Nj. Clemenccau cannot
fail to render ii very important factor i'm the
complex problem of Parliamentary life The
direction which the electoral canvass has taken
has tended, moreover, to promote progressive
movement all along the Republican line The
Lett Centre may have remained stationary but
the Moderate Left is less moderate than it WIS
ana the Advanced Left has advanced still
further. If the leaders of the Advanced Left.
-'' 'ii'9'h anu VI. Ilotiuct, are aiming Mt I'M
mediate power, n reorganization of the Cabinet
cannot long be deferred. The present Cabinet
represents the Pure Left. A more stable Cabi-
net would represent the Pure Left and the Adj
vanced Left. If such combination Cabinet
can be organized without including NJ Gam
beta, NJ. BrissOn would seem to be the most
available man to head it. AS matters stand. NJ
Gambetta immediate future is invested with
peculiar interest. 1t may not be in his power TO
remain III retirement any longer His present
Office expires with the outgoing Chamber. and
IL the new Deputies are bent upon compelling
nm to take the Premiership, they can enforce
their will by refusing to vote for him as their
presiding officer SO long as he could exercise
power without mourning responsibility for t. he
found 1T convenient to remain in the hack
ground This he cannot do any longer. IF he
aims TO exert supreme influence in public life,
he will be forced sooner or later 90 come 10 tbe
front and assume what he has been too ready to
shrk-direct responsibility for the power which
he yields.