The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-06
THE NEW FRENCH CABINET.
De Freycinet's Third Attempt at Governing
-Accessions from the Brisson Cabinet.

De Freycinets Third Attempt at Governing
-Accessions from the Brisson Cabinet.
PARIS. Jan. 5.-MM Goblet. Sade, Carnot
and Sairrien, who were members of NJ. Rrisson's
Cabinet. have decided to accept the invitation to
join the Cabinet of M. De Freycinet.
M. Brisson has issued circular denying that
he has ceased to perform the duties of Prime
Minister pending the installation of NJ. De Frey
cinet in that Office M. De Freycnet is actively
at work preparing new Cabinet.
M. De Freycinet. who has consented to form
new Cabinet, is now 6fty-seven years of age. He
received his professional training in the Poly
technic School, and, after graduating in 184S,
was employed in various government engineer
ing enterprises for several years He first be-
came prominent in politics in 1868 After the
revolution of Sept. 4, 1870. he was appointed
prefect of his department Meanwhile he had
attracted the favorable attention of Gambetta,
and when that statesman the 10th of October
following, took possession in the provinces Of
the Office Of Minister Of War, he appointed De
Freycinet as his delegate and intrusted him
with the supreme control OF that department.
With the conclusion Of peace De Freycinet re-
tired to private life, but emerged again in 1876,
when he was elected senator by the Department
of the Seine, his name heading the list of sue
cessful candidates. This term expired in 1882.
When the Dufaure Ministry was formed in
1877, he accepted the por folio of Public Works.
May 8, 1878, he was honored by an election as
member ef the Academy of Natural Sciences, to
succeed NJ. De Busy, his writings on water sup
ply, sewage and engineering winning for him
this distinction. He continued in the Office of
Minister of Public Works in the Cabinet
formed by NJ. Waddington. Feb 4, 1879 After
NJ Grevy had succeeded Mashal MacMahon as
President of the Republic. at the close of that
year, he was appointed President of the Council
to succeed NJ. Waddington, and selected the port
folio of Foreign Affairs. Sept. 19, 1880, in con-
sequence of the difficulties relative to the execu-
ton of the decrees against unauthorized relig
ious orders, he resigned, and Jules Ferry was in
In January, 1882 Gambetta's Ministry was
overthrown on the scrutn de liste proposal
by a majority iii the Chamber of 305 to
ITO. De Freycinet was then recalled to
power and again took the presidency Of the
council and the foreign portfolio His reign,
however, was brief July 20 following. his pro
posals for safeguarding the Suez canal were re-
jected by majority of 4l6 to 70, and he at once
resigned, contending that as the Chamber had
declared in the plainest possible terms against
intervention in Egypt, he did not care to occupy
position in which he would be com
PEELED to be passive spectator of
England's action. Strenuous efforts were
made by President Grevy to induce him TO with
draw his resignation, but without effect, and
finally, after much difficulty, Ministry of az
fairs was formed with Duclerc at its head When
the Ferry Ministry was overthrow in March,
1885, De Freycinet vainly tried to form Cabi
net Finally NJ Brisson accepted the task, and
De Freycinet was named as Minister of Foreign
Affairs. De Freycinet has been looked up to az
the guide, philosopher and friend of the mod
crate Republicans, and the legitimate successor
of Gambetta. He is the author of q large num-
Der of scientific and technical works, which have
passed through many editions, and been trans
lated into nearly every known language.