New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-23
1 RITTER PROSPECT IN FRANCE.


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A BETTER PROSPECT IN FRANCE.
There are signs of Improvement in the politl-
cal situation in France. The Senate has deait
firmly and sagaciously with the Deputies tx
nulsiop bill and emerged from CONSTITUTIONAL
crisis reinyigorated in influence. Ministry nav
inc sometb,np more than a semblance Of politi-
cal stability has been organized. Among Ine
ex- Pre- niers NJ Ferry was the strongest man TO
head new Government. More positive anu
advanced in his political ideas than either Nj.
Simon or VI. Waddington he is as capable ana
experienced in administrative details as VI. de
Frevcinet. and more robust and self-rellant III
matters of public policy. Nj. dc Freycinet Is
Republican OF the purest type, oustere IN man
ner and conscientious in public service, but,
sharing NJ. GrGvys deferential respect for the
authority of the legislative chambers, be lnya-
riably exhausts his personal influence III tu'le
efforts to adapt himself to irrecOncila0le conul-
tons. NJ Ferry is not by nature trimmer; he
has tho instincts of leadership, II he lacks the
political ability requisite for 1t and now that
the oyershadOwing influence OF NJ. GamDetta
has been withdrawn and other regulations nave
been exhausted, lie can have policy Of his own
ana NAV make a resoute effort to enforce IL.
That this policy will he progressive one is evil
dent, not only from the Premier own character
but from his choice of associates. Inc. nc"
Ministry has not been organized III the interest
of the moderate men of the Senate, but OF the
advanced men among the Deputies.
The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, NJ. Chal-
lemel- Lacour. has never had a Cabinet portfolio
before. but he has occupied important dIplo-
matte posts at London and elsewhere, and con-
seoueutly has had the right training for bis
present office. Lord Granville will now have to
deal with diplontatist of inAexible purpose-a
man of action rather than phrase-maker. The
new Foreign Minister has, moreover, political
influence which will materially strengthen the
Government. He is not minister whose Ill
plomacy can be dictated TO him by N. Clemen-
ceau NJ Waldeck- Rousseau returns to the
Ministry of the Interior. the Office occupied by
him IN NJ. GambeLta's Cabinet. He was not one
of NJ. Gambettas oldest friends as VI. Challe-
mel-Lacour was. He was rising young Dep
uty. whose ability had been generally recog-
uized in the Chamber, where he had taken II con-
spicuous part in debates on the reform OF the
magistracy NJ. Gambetta attached him to his
fortunes by comforting upon him so important
an office and he became one of the most lnfuen-
tial members of the Ministry. His return to
office is one of the first evidences of the newt
able dissolution of tile old Gambettist group
the Union Republicaine. The more moderate
members of it will fad it easy to support Min
isuy which contains so many Gambottists; and
the more advanced men will move or in the d.
rection of the Extreme Left NJ. Waldeck-Rons-
seau will increase the debating power OF the
new Ministry, for his speeches are conspicuous
for logical precision, if not for eloquence. Nj.
Raynal is another member of NJ. Gambettas
Ministry who returns TO Office. In the Depart
ment of Public Works he has had previous
training. having.been Understanding rs well
as Minister. NJ. Cookery retains the portfolio
which he has had under so many successive
Ministries NJ. Trard remains Minister OF FL
nance; and the remaining Departments are
nlaced under the direction of less conspicuous
men. General Thibaudn as Minister of War
cal, be depended upon to enforce rigidly any
measures which may be adopted by the Gov
eminent against the Orleans Princes in the
Army.
1t will he perceived that the Ministry is made
ND mainly OF VI. Gambetta's associates and fol-
lowers. Even NJ. Ferry and NJ. Tirard voted
with the minority when the downfall of his
Ministry was decrecd year ago, and not sim
gle member was opposed to NJ. Gambetta's
scheme of limited constitutional revision. 1t
will be interesting to observe whether this
Gambettist Ministry will revive the Gambcttist
programme of Scrutin de Liste and partial re-
vision, or devote itself TO practical legislation
for a season with view to an early APP
neal To the constituencies rs soon as the
country has had leisure to regain its composure.
Probably the latter course will be followed, for
the Premier will naturally shrink from unde:-
taking the revision Of the Constitution when
there are so many signs of timidity and gidd
ness In France. 1t is possible that the Cham
bers can be induced to sanction the Scrutin de
Liste as a legislative measure, although the
Senate rejected it two years ago and the Depu-
ties condemned 1t by vote OF 2S7 to 100 ; for
NJ. Gambetta cannot now be accused OF plotting
q political dictatorship through species of
pl6biscite in Department elections. But even
without any change in the mode OF elections, an
appeal can be made to the country for the re-
turn of less flighty and more reasonable
Chamber of Deputies, provided the President
will put himself behind the Ministry and give
it cordial support.
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THE VIRGINIA. METHOD.
They have queer way of punctuating polIt-