Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-15
A FRENCH SURPRISE.
A Ministerial Measure is Defeated in
the Chamber, and
THE CABINET AT ONCE RESIGNS.
General Boulanger Issues a Glowing Mani
festo, in Which
HE BOLDLY CLAIMS ALL THE GLORY.
No Change in the Situation at Samoa and Every
thing Quiet.

The French Ministry was defeated yester
day in its advocacy of a progressive meas
ure. The Cabinet Immediately resigned
much to the surprise, even, of those who
voted against the measure. General Bou.
LANCER, who had remained passive, at once
issued manifesto to his constituents, claim
ing all the credit for the defeat of the Gov
ernment. Latest advices from Samoa say
that everything is quiet there.
PARIS, February 14.-The French Min
istry was defeated to-day on its prop osition
to revise the Constitution, and immedi-
ately resigned. The Chamber of Deputies
was crowded. The Prince of Wales and Lord
Lytton, the British Ambassador, occupied
seats in the diplomatic gallery. Baron
Macken, President of the Right, moved to
adjourn the debate on the revision question
one week. He declared that the Right de-
sired complete revision as well as the dis
solution Of the Chamber. A delay of one week
would enable the Government to decide in re-
gard to dissolution.
Premier Floquet refused to entertain the
motion. stating that the Government could not
consent to dissolve the Chamber.
Baron Macken's motion was rejected-375 to
l73
Count de Douville Maillefoue moved the in
definite postponement of the revision debate
and said: "The electoral period virtually begins
to-day. Let us leave to the people the duty of
indicating what kind of a revision they desire.
Let US not lose time in discussing question
that is in no wise definite. Instead of pursuing
policy of egotism let us return TO policy OF
common sense"
THE MINISTRY DEFEATED.
Premier Floquet, replying reminded the
House that the Government was pledged to
make the revision proposal the immediate order
of the day after the scrutin d'arrondissement
bill. At the conclusion of NJ. Floquet's re-
marks a division was taken and the motion was
adopted by vote of 307 to 2l8.
The resignation of the Ministry was COM
plete surprise to the chamber. NJ Floquet had
said nothing implying an intention to make
motion to adjourn Cabinet question. Both
the Left and the Right were unaware how the
Ministry would regard the vote. The majority
included the members of the Right and a
number of Opportunists. After the adjourn
ment the Radical Left and the Extreme Left
held a meeting and sent delegates to NJ.
Floquet to express regret at the fall of the
Cabinet and congratulate the retiring Premier
upon the trmness of the position that he had
assumed.
President Carnot, after the Ministers had
rendered their designations, sent for NJ MILNE.
the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and
subsequently had a conference with M. Le-
royer, President Of the Senate. A rumor was
current this afternoon that NJ. Malline had
been asked to form Cabinet, but tonight it is
stated that President Carnot has as yet in
trusted no one with the task.
BoULANGER'S MANIFESTO.
General Boulanger was a passive spectator of
the proceedings in the Chamber of Deputies.
Immediately after the adjournment he issued
a manifesto to the electors of the Department
of the Seine. In this he claims credit for his
party for "The overthrow of a discreditable
ministry that was attempting to snare the
country by the comedy of a proposal to revise
the constitution which, if passed by the Cham
bet, the Ministry well knew would be rejected
by the Senate"
He proceeds: 1--WE would not allow the
Cabinet thus to deceive universal suf-
rage, and to consecrate its usurpation
by doing the work of constituent as
sembly. The fall of this ill-omened Ministry,
which had already planned laws for the restric-
ton of liberty, will be relief to the public
science. 1t is step further toward the disso-
luton of the Chamber and the convocation of
a constituent assembly.
"After the vote on the scrutin darrondisse-
ment bill, which. in its authors minds. was
nothing more than blow dealt at universal
suffrage-the electoral period commenced. 1t
is for the country to speak. Long live the Re-
public"