New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-28
TIE FRENCU CHLSLS.


The issues involved in the French crisis art
complex and obscure. Deliberate judgment
must be suspended until the motives of the
Premier and the consequences of his action can
be intelligently discussed. 1t cannot be denied
that Gambetta has precipitated a conflict which
might easily have been avoided. Practical
measures of reform relating to the magistracy
military organization, public meetings, agri-
culture and commerce have apparently been al
ready prepared and might have been
proftably disposed of before the harass-
| ing question of constitutional revision was
broached. 1t was unqucstionably inopportunc
| to ask Il Chamber elected IL few months ago
under the district system to cnGrdft upon the
fundamental law the principle Of department
! elections; and ut the same time To demand
sweeping changes in the electoral mechanism
! Of the Senate fortnight after the absolute
control of that house had been secured by the
| Gambcttsts. Official conduct, which is the
reverse of that political Opportunism associated
| with his name, has been emphasized by giar-
| ing indiscrriOns in the Premcr's manner.
| The announcement of his policy was followed
! by distinct threat that he would resign
! if he were not allowed to have his own way
| a clumsy means of political coercion unworthy
! Of a set-respectng statesman; and his intcm-
pcrate language in cOmm!,toc-rO0m WAS
III, glaring indiscrctiOn. These criticisms
are all well founded. At the same time, Gam
BETA is not to be hastily condemned as a tyro
and egotist who, from mere giddineSs, has
dragged the Cabinet to the verge of political
ruin. For ten years he has patiently pursued
a waiting policy, against which many Of lis
| followers have secretly Tcbrcd. Does it seem
probable that he has suddenly renowned that
| policy without having Il deliberate purpose
| That purpose will be disclosed when the Pre-
mier has final opportunity for indicating his
course Meanwhile, premature congratulations
unon his waning influence and administrative
collapse are to be cautiously received. His
successor may be appointed, or he may
be tempted by a vote of confidence to
withdraw his designations; but whether he
remains III Office and accepts the responsible
| ties Of government, or resumes the functions
of irresponsible power which he exercised dur
ing the transition period Of weak Cabinets, his
will Is the most potent force in the public life
of France. lie will not be rs strong as he was
4 wear ago, before the Scrutin de Listc had
| been rejected by the Senate and carried by
only a narrow majority in the Lower Chamber,
| but he is still without a rival IN political in
| hurncc, and represents more directly than any
| other Republican leader the will Of the con-
sitnencics TO those constituencies he was
pledged as the champion Of department
elections and Senatorial reforms, and
whether he stands or falls, he can
not be charged with political incon-
sistcncy. A Legislature fresh from those con-
! stitucacic5 called upon him with one consent
to accept the Premiership, and the first great
measure winch he introduced WAS the scheme
Unconstitutional revision defined in his own cleo
toral programme. His policy may have been
! inopportunc, ms m"naccs may have been indis-
Greet but he has not hinchcd from his polit-
zeal convictions, nor played fast and loose with
! his pledges to the constituencies. II his down
! fall has been decrccd 10y the Deputies who are
envious Of lis asccndaHcy and naturally
! opposed to any changes il the system
by which they Themselves were elected,
| his attitude before the country is UNI
equyocd. He has introduced, without de-
! lay, the great measure identified with his
name, and by his failure to secure it, passage
has demonstrated what he has always claimed,
that Chamber elected by the present sys-
tenn cannot give to any Ministry stable and
! permanent support. The sober second thought
of the country may be the conviction that
department elections must be introduced, if
there is ever to be a homogeneous party and an
! efficient Administration in France.
| That conviction viii unques;ionably be