National Republican., 1885-11-28
THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY.
A CURIOUS CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL RE.
ELECT GREvY.
His Claims Upon the PeopIo--A Simple
Life, with Little Ostontation and No
Guile--Tradesmon Complain of tho
Lack of Display and Disbursement.

PARIS, Nov. 13.--Parliament has reassem-
bled, everybody has returned TO town, aud
the Parisian season may be said to be open.
Strictly speaking, we have no regular sea-
son. as the term is unde rstood In London,
but at this time Of the year Paris takes on
an appearance Of activity that is generally
\ wanting before the meeting of the two
Legislative bodies. It is hoped that we shall
have no stirring political agitation before
the opening of the ordinary session in jan
uary, for the close of the year is one Of the
4 most important periods for Parlsian com
meroc. which is always dull when the po-
litical horizon is not clear. The politicians
usually avoid raising any burning questions
during holiday time, and their tranquility
was long ago baptized as the truce Of the
N coniectioners.
HOLDING OFF DURING THE CAMPAIGN.
This year, as heretofore, they have tacitly
agreed to put aside all irritating discussion
until after the meeting OF the congress
which is to elect new president of the re-
public This agreement, II kept will en-
able the 'partly reconstructed ministry to
hold over until the chamber has been
definitely organized and, with the senate,
Z chosen NJ. Grevy's SUCCESSOR After that
the chamber furnish some interesting read
ing.
TIE ELECTION IMMINENT.
M. Grevy's term Of Office expires on Jan.
80, 1886, but his successor must be elected
at least thirty days before that date. To
have the question settled and out Of the
way before the holiday trade begins is the
reason urged for convoking the congress
soon afterthe chamberhas finished the verif-
cation of its own election. The Congress
consists of the senate and chamber Of depu-
ties, united in a national assembly for the
express purpose of electing president. An
absolute majority of votes is required for
the successful candidate. The senate has
300 members, of whom $50 are republicans;
the chamber has 5S4 members, including 200
monarchsts. The absolute majority is,
therefore, 443, and the republicans control
GLE votes against 272 held by their oppo-
nents.
GREvY's SELECTION ASSURED.
There is now but little doubt that NJ.
Grevy will be his own successor, yet his
candidature has not been settled fact only
since the general elections. Some months
ago, when It was thought that the mon
archists had played their last card, NJ. Grevy
declared that he wished to retire to private
life He said that q seven years. presi-
A dency was n good deal, and that IL was not
In accordance with the republican idea to
renew power Of such long duration. 81
hhNc nuu, llt GOnlluutN, buc &OOu
tune to have presidency without any
grave incidents, parliamentary conflicts or
dissolutions, and that satisfies me.n Some
time before making this declaration the
n president had bought large lot Of ground
near the Trocadero and had begun the
building of a superb residence. This fact
was taken as decisive evidence that ne in
tended to retire from public life at the end
of his term. But n man of NJ. Grevy's
stamp is not always free to do as he pleases
even with his own time.
URGED BY HIS FRIENDS TO STAND.
His political friends have convinced him
that in presence of the divisions in the re-
publican party, and in view Of the election
of 200 monarchical deputies his duty is to
allow his name to be used second time
for the high Office he now holds, as he is
the only man on whom the majority can
unite without causing discussion that
might, In the present state OF parties, be
prejudicial to the republic. These reasons
appear to have changed NJ. Grevy's deter
mination, and at the present writing he is
the only serious candidate among the re-
publicaDs. NJ. Brisson has the presidential
fever badly, but he will have to wait.
The right will cast their votes for some
one, but the result will be only q barren
honor for the man OF their choice.
VICE PRESIDENT PROPOSED.
By reason of NJ. Grevy's advanced age 1t
was uJ IITbU prOpOSeu 10 lUurOuuCe COLI
stitutlonal amendment providing for the
election Of vice president; this idea has
not found favor either at the Elysee or
among the majority. M. Grevy Is, to be
sure, well along in years, yet his general
health is excellent. The recent reports
about his Illness have been greatly exag-
gerated. An eminent physician and phys-
ologist said few days ago that NJ. Grevy
could count not upon many more years of
life, but also only upon preserving for ten
years more his intellectual faculties In their
present exceptional conditions Of lucidlty,
N vigor, and fecundlty. When man has ar
rived at NJ. Grevy's age and has good health
n the brain does not grow old On the con-
trary, the temperate existence that he Is
Obliged to lead gives new force to his in
telligence and redoubles its penetration. NJ.
Cheyreuil, NJ. de Lesseps, Marshal Won
Moltke, Mr.. Gladstone, and many Others
are still active and strong.
THE CHARACTER OF THE MAN.
A certain legend has grown up about NJ.
Grevy that he is an austere man. Nothing
could be more ineXact. 1t is true that he
has not the noisy exuberance Of the average
Frenchman, but he is far from being austere.
He is fond Of good company, likes to hunt,
and takes pleasure in literary discussion
lie 10 an excellent Latin and Greek scholar,
and fluent and graceful speaker. Before
he became president he used to often pass
the evening at the Cafe dc la Regencc, play
ing chess with n few old friends, and al
though he is no longer young man he still
delights In making a carrom with those init
mate friends who frequent the Elysee.
Since NJ. Wilson married his only daughter,
Alice, there have been weekly fencing
matches at the Elysec, and the president
has always taken great interest In this manly
exercise.
AN UNosTENTATIoUs CHIEF MAGISTRATE.
II is undoubtedly NJ. Grevy's dislike for
.aVaIl alAWU l.,s, IL.
idea that he is austere Most Frenchmen
when they find one Of their couutrymen
grave or serene are apt to call him serious,
meaning thereby that he is anything but
N gay; this quality of seriousness, however,
is no drawback In a man called TO be the
chief OF so restless people, Certainly life
OF the ElyGee is not so gay as 1t was at the
"A Tuileries under the empire, or even at tho
N Elysee when Marshal MacMahOn was presl-
dent. Three or four balls are given each
N winter, as many more receptions, and Ucca-
sioDally grand dinner.
THE sHoPKEEPERs' COMPLAINT.
Partisan tradesmen complain that this re-
publican simplicity is prejudiclal to trade,
and they would like to see NJ, Grevy more
snowy In his style of living. His salary is
$l30,000 year, and he 10 allowed as much
more for household expenses and travelling.
His voyages are rare. believe he has not
made more than two public ones since
he became president. He Is content TO pass
n month each year at his native village,
whom he receives his old friends and the
military and civil functlonaries OF the neigh
borhood. When in Paris NJ. GreYy Is easily
accessible to visitors who have a motive for
calling upon him. DANIEL D'ARTHEz.
Didn't Find Much Comfort.
n New York Sun
II Deacon Bucrag Ia visitor at the Mott street
M i. ~