The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-01-26
PRESIDENT SADI-CARNOT.
Short Biographical Sketch of the New
Chief Executive of France.

Marie Francois Sadi-Carnct completed
half II century of life August II. 1887.
His grandfather was the famous Minis
ter of War in the French revolution.
His father. NJ. Lazare Hippolyte Car
not, inherited much of the celebrated
Carnot's ability, and as politician
participated prominently in many of
the stirring episodes which marked the
history of France in the second and
third quarters of the present century.
But the second Carnot was paradoxi-
cal combination-advoca statesman,
orator, author, man of affairs and
mystic philosopher. He identified HIM
self with the st. Simonians of 1882 and
became profound student of Oriental
literature when Enfantin, Roge and
Massol went to preach the doctrines of
Saint Simon in the East. To this time
of mysticism is due the 'Sadi'' which
is hyphenated to the historic name of
Carnot, borne by the fourth President
of the Third Republic.
Sadi-Carnot was educated to the pro-
fession of engineer and proved IN apt
scholar, even if developing none of the
active characteristics of his family. and
manifesting rather stolidity which was
ign to his house. He was fifth in
his class when he entered the Polytech-
mic School, but soon took the first posi-
ton and retained it until he graduated
in 1868. He was soon afterwards ap-
pointed assistant secretary of the Gov
ernment Council of Roads and Bridges.
Subsequently he was nominated engin-
eer at Aunecy, in Upper Savoy, and re-
mained there until 1871, when. at the
fall of the empire. he was summoned to
active political life. January 10, 1871,
he was appointed Prefect of the Depart
ment of the Seine-Inferieure. and was
charged with the organization of the
national defense in the three depart
ments of the Seine-Inferieure, the Eure
and Calvados. That duty was per-
formed with the enthusiasm and thor
oughness which was expected from one
on whom devolved the task of upholding
The traditions of the Carnots.
In February of the same year M.
Sadi-Carnot was elected to the Nation
al Assembly from the department Of
the Cote dor and identified himself
with the Republican Left, of which he
became secretary. Naturally he gave
the most earnest support to all laws for
the permanent establishment of the
Republic. When the Assembly was
divided into two branches. in 1876, he
was elected deputy from Beaune and
was appointed one of the secretaries of
the chamber. He made speciality of
public works, more particularly rail-
roads and the pr emotion of inland
navigation, and soon gained reputa-
ton as an authority on these subjects.
He was frequently placed on the Budg-
ct Committee, the training school for
young statesmen, and became chair
man in 1888.
In December, 1873, be was appointed
under secretary of public works. and
there gained the intimate acquaintance
with the operations of the department
which qualified him for the Minister'S
portfolio, which Ferry gave him on be-
coming Premier in September, 1880.
Gambetta overthrow the Cabinet in
November. 1881, and was called to
form ministry, and Sadi-Carnot re-
tired. Brisson gave him the portfolio
of public works in April, 1885. and
when Detreyc met succeeded Blsson as
Premier in January, 1886, he retained
him in the Cabinet as Minister of
Finance. When in December last the
Defreycinet ministry fell, the question
at issue was one of economy and the
Minister of Finance refused to con-
form to large reductions in expendi-
lures demanded by the Budget Com
mittee. Ciemenceau then overthrow
DeFreycinet on u vote to sustain Sadi-
Carnot's estimates. This is the COM
plete record of the new Presidents
comparatively brief political expert
ence.
Madame Sadi-Carnot. daughter of
the late Dupont White. is well and
fayorably known to English and Amer
leans. She is a pretty, bright, clever
! woman, Partisan in her vivacity and
ncver-failing good humor and a most
interesting conversationalist. To her
possibly as much as to himself does
her husband owe his political prefer
ment. She talks English with ease aud
grace and reads all the sensational
novels published in London with the
same avidity as an English-speaking
person reads the similar class of French
literature. Oaida, Miss Braddon and
Wilkie Collins are her particular favor
ties. She will prove a greater favorite
in the Elysce Palace than anv lady
who has been its mistress during the
fifteen years existence of the Third Re-
public.--Phiia;leIphta Press.
Various of our outside contempor-
aries are trying to make joke out of
the fact that the death of the oldest
man in Illinois is recorded at frequent
intervals in the press of this State.
For the benefit of our o. C. s we will re-
mark that while there is but zone old
L