The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-29

designations. President Carnot receives
them cordially and with smiles, offers
them refreshments. tries to persuade them
that the situation is less serious than they
think. The ministers. solemn all the
time, for it is a question of giving up a
salary of 10000 francs, withdraw again
and try to find some way of saving them
selves. They generally fail to findft, land
returning to the president again tender
their designations. which are this time ac-
cepted.
Then President Carnot's troubles begin.
he must without delay, for delay means
the prolonging of the crisis and the posi-
BILE precipitation of disorder in the streets,
find some man strong enough to take the
helm and steer the government out OF its
difficulties. The president first takes
counsel with the venerable presi-
dent of the senate, NJ. LeRoyer, and
the distinguished looking president
of the chamber. NJ. Charles Floquet.
These three decide upon the man into
whose hands shall be given the task OF
forming new cabinet. A messenger is
dispatched in a cab post haste to find the
prospective premier. This gentleman is
usually waiting on his doorstep with his
hat and coat in his hand, burning wit h
expectation of being summoned for the
important and lucrative task. Ten other
possible candidates on ten other various
doorsteps are also waiting, hoping
against hope to hear the rattle of the
longed-f for cab with the longed-for messen-
ger. The successful candidate jumps into
the cab, is ratified back to the EIysee,
talks over the situation with the pres
ident, bows very respectfully and declares
haf he WI n
ton.
Then his trouble begins. For twenty
four hours, day and night, he lives in
cabs, going from house TO house among
those OF his colleagues, friends and enc
mics, who may make up the ministry I'M
der his leadership. Sometimes he sue
ceeds, usually he fails, for the conditions
which go to make up cabinetin Paris are
not easily fulfilled. This man refuses for
one reason; perhaps he tancles that in so
doing he himself will be summoned by
President Carnot when the first man has
failed. Another man has another reason
for refusing. His wife may be jealous of
the wife of the man who wants HIM. and
in Paris the women play heavy part in
politics. Whatever the reasons or difficult
les which result IN failure, such Is gener-
allv the outcome OF the earlier ESSAYS
at patching up new cabinet. When one
man has tried his hand at the game for
L
sends for another and another, until some
one finally discovers the key 10 the puzzle
and the wheels of government can begin
turning again until another crisis.
In looking over the records OF the min
istres which have come and gone one is
struck by the recurrence again and again
of the same name. \ stranger might
imagine that there were only ten or twelve
statesmen in the whole of France. Ii is
De Freycinet, Ribot, Tirard, Rouvier,
Floquet and Brisson year after year.
now with one porrtolo. aud now
with another but always bobbing up in
successive ministries as II the country
could not run without them.
One name which have not mentioned,
and il IS one of the strongest names in
France is that of Jules Ferry, commonly
called the ''Tonquinois," and hated cor
daily by the masses in spite OF the tact
that he is one OF the abiest men in France
TODAY The people will never forgive him
for his Tonquln policy when in power, and
although he would make one OF the aDlesr
premiers that could be chosen--and this is
generally admitted by the best peop.e--yet
II IS quite probable that his accession TO
power would be the signal Tor violent
his name vas mentioned AS q candidate
for the presidency IN isSS, AT the time
when Carnoi was chosen.
Speaking of Carnot's election brings up
the thought that in some cases II is i'm
possible for any man, however able and
diplomatic, 10 form a ministry. The
various groups in the cham be--and there
are some twenty OF them-obstinately re-
fuse TO DC placated. and things come 10
deadlock. Then the situation is indeed
serious. The only thing that remains is