The sun., 1889-11-09
French Politics.

The Paris Exposition has been closed and
the new Chamber OF Deputies is about to as
eemble. Who will be chosen President of the
Chamber, and who will constitute the Minis
try that Is to succeed the TIRARD Cabinet =?
When those questions are answered, we shall
know what faction is likely to dictate the
political programme Of the immediatef future,
and we can also Judge what chances the
lately elected Deputies have Of serving out
their four years term.
or the Radicals, who will number 1875, NJ.
FLooUET is the favorite candidate for Presi-
dent OF the new Chamber. NJ. FLoQUET, it
will be remembered, preceded NJ. TIRARD In
the post OF Premier, and in the judgment Of
iail-minded men. he shone by comparison
with his successor Although he was per-
sonally weakened by the sweeping victory
gained by BoULANGER last January In the
Department OF the Seine, he gave no indica-
tions of a vindictive spirit, and, upon the
downfall OF the Ministry of which he
was the head, withdrew temporarily from
the stage of public life. He does not share
the responsibility for the exceptional meas
Nres taken by the panic-strlcken republicans
against their political opponents In the dying
hours OF the last Chamber. 1t is not his fault
that by substituting the soTVtin farondisse-
ment for the soIitin de liste they have not only
failed to secure as many Deputies as they
had last year. but have lost the advantage
which would under ordinary circumstances
result from their preponderance in the large
centres of population. Neither can he be
blamed for the law against plural cand.
dacies, which prevents republicans from
~, 4 hn
THIRRs and of GAMBETTA by the personal
prestige OF great leader. Even his old
enemies, the Boulangists, who will cast about
fifty votes In the new Chamber, must prefer
M. FLoQUET to any one implicated in the
abuses of administrative power which
marked the tactics Of the TIRARD Cabinet
At the last general election.
That the Opportunlsts, who with their 1888
votes constitute the largest single faction in
the new Chamber, will second the nomina-
tion OF NJ. FLoQUET, seems probable for two
reasons. In the first place. by shelving him
In the Speakers chair they will rid them
selves OF man who might prove ono Of their
most formidable opponents on the floor OF
the House. Secondly, they will hope In this
way TO secure Radical support for the meas-
ures OF Cabinet in which Opportunists will
largely -predominate. In this last expecta-
ton they will probably be disappointed. The
differences between the political principles Of
the OppOrtunist followers Of N. FERRY and
ofthe Radicals scarcely admit OF compromise.
The latter. indeed, have no reason for exist
ence as definite faction beyond their prom
ise to demand an abolition of the Concordat,
an elective magistracy, and trenchant re-
vision OF the present French Constitution.
Sooner or later. in order to keep their pledges
to their constituents they must force these
questions to the 'front.' no matter what con-
Cession may have been made to them in the
matter OF the 8peakership. And when, the
last named ofythOse issues is brought for
ward, the Radicals by temporary coalition
with the 2l2 members Of the Opposition I'm
Guiding Royalists, Imperlalists. and Boulan-
gists) are certain to overthrow any Oppor-
tQnist Cabinet.
This & 90 Inevitable that the opportunists
N0dd No doa6t prOlSpb0t lhSi ithO.PTsSldSu