New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-06
enable him to cast the first stone? F,


more than Gambetta, who. although surrounded
by dishonest ring, was himself immaculate
in this respect. It was thence partly that he
derived his immense power and influence. He.
almost alone, WAS able to act as the popular
tribune, and to take tho field on behalf Of the
taxpayers against the reign OF the pot-de-vin,,
which, he frequently declared to the writer Of
this letter, WAS so powerful feature OF French
politics. As another instance thereof it is only
necessary to refer to the case Of the monster
Lotterie des Arts Decoratfs.' which was author
lied by ministerial decree in 1881 for the .pur-
pose of raising funds for the establishment of o
museum and school of decorative art. Most of
the exhibition gang figured aiming the promoters
of this undertaking. Over 100000 tickets
were sold at the rate of franc apiece; but on
winding up the affair couple Of years ago, only
5000 600 francs could be accounted for, the
balance Of 100000 francs having, according
10 the statements of the managers of the lottery
been expended in commissions in gratuities sic) to
the Paris and provincial press, and, it was In
simulated, in presents to prominent members of
the Senate and Chamber Of Deputies. The
revelations on the subject created some talk
at the time But, like the Wilson scandal, it
was only nine-days wonder, and then some
new sensation cropped up, which enabled these
French "boodlers" to proceed TO enjoy their i'll
gotten gains. II is known and admitted both
by the donors and recipients, that sum of
100000 francs (s2,s00,000 was distributed
two years since by the great railway companies
of France among the members OF the Chamber
Of Deputies, for the purpose of securing the re-
newal of the ubiquitous charters Of these cor
porations for another term OF twenty years
Will iii
graceful state of affairs is not more frequently
commented upon in the domestic and foreign press.
With regard to the latter its silence the subject
is perfectly comprehensive. The foreign news
paper correspondents mere have some personal OBJ
jects in view which can only be achieved by
rendering themselves agreeable to the Gov
eminent Of the day. Most of them have a strongly
developed weakness for decorations, and the
prospect of obtaining the Cross OF the Legion OF
Honor goes long way toward slencing any hostile
criticism. NJ. de Blowitz, the famous correspond
emit Of " The London Times possesses almost as
many stars and orders as Prince Bismarck and
several OF his colleagues run him very close in
the matter. Others are ready to sell their pens
for the sake of securing invitations to official
banquets balls and receptions while few can
afford to dispense with the police passes AID other
kindred favors which the authorities ready
10 accord 10 friendly correspondents, few Of whom
are willing to incur by disagreoabe criticism the
hostility of the people among whom their lot is
cast.
With regard to the native press the matter is
even still more simple. With the possible eX-
ception of the Petit Journal" there is not
single Paris or even French paper which can make
both ends meet on the proceeds of its circulation
and advertisements alone. Banded together into
an association known the Syndicat de la Presse,
they levy something that very much resembles
blackmail on every public enterprise Of financial
or industrial nature The amount distributed by
NJ de Lesseps among the Paris papers for the sake
of silencing any hostile comment on the operations
Of the Panama Canal Company is almost incred-
ible, one prominent and popular journal of the
metropolis having received a sum of 81 100000
since last May for the purpose Of booming the
Lottery loan.
The following instance came under my personal
notice in 1881 during the course of the Electrical
Exhibition at the Palais de Industre. Three
gentlemen who presented duly authenticated Gre
dentials delegates Of the Syndicat de la Presse
called one day on the agent of one Of the great
foreign inventors, and after stating that they
were aware of the fact that he was engaged
in completing the sale of his electrical patents
to an important French institution submitted
for his consideration the following conditions:
For the sum of rs, 600 francs tS5, G0Gj down, the
whole of the metropolitan press would comment
fav0rably on the inventions in question; for half
that amount tho newspapers would observe an
absolute silence the subject; while If no money
at all were paid, the whole Of the Paris news
papers would unite in decryipg and attacking
both the inventions and the inventor. The agent,
after giving the matter due consideration decided
TO dispense with praise from so tainted source,
and contented himself with purchasing the silence
Of the press. This is but one instance in
thousand. But vita newspapers so Influenced. it is
impossibl to expect any action from them on behalf
of the people against corruption and maladmlnis-
tration
Since the death of Louis XIV no reign or regime
has lasted for longer than eighteen years. Louis
XVI was beheaded in the eighteenth year of his
reign Napoleon / was banishod ST. Helena
Just eighteen years after the glorious conclusion
of his Italian campaign. Seventeen years after
the restoration of the Bourbon line, It's repre-
sentative, King Charles Y. forced TO adj
cate King Louis Philippe was overthrown and
exiled in the eighteenth year of his reign Ma
poleon III reached Sedan eighteen years after the
coup d'etat Just eighteen years have now elapsed
since the establishment of the Third Republic Is
the fatal cycle once more the eve OF It's
accomplishment?