New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-21
MORE UIPTNG orr"

Again the French Chambcf'of Deputies ha'
broken out with language that has TO be wiped
OUT with guns or some sort Oi hOmlclial cut
lcly. II was during a discussion of the Elr-
toral Reform bill Deputy Clcmcnccau, in the
course of a speech in opposition 10 the bill. was
evcra times interrupted by Dcputcs Dcroulcdc
and NIillcvoyc in language which, though de-
scribcl as violent" does not seem - have
crossed the line where it has to be "wipcd out
DENNY Clcmonccau. becoming inccncol. ii
nounced Dcroulcdc ~ an "alicn,' whcrcupon
Deputy Millevoyc "sprang = his fcct"-ihc
French statesman always "Sprngs - hrs icrt
in such an cmcrgcncy-and pointing his
fngcr';-which is another dramatic feature
mover neglected by the statesman who knows
his busincss-at VI. Clcmenccau exclaimed /:
Coward ~ Then, Of course, thorc was an
"uproar''-thcre always is an "uproar' on those
occasions. The usual thing followed NJ.
| Clcmcnccau sent word to -. Dcrouledc that he
would Like to have him 90 out somewhere with
him and "wipc OUT some Of the language that
had been spattcred round during the debate.
For some reason VI. Dcrouledc declined TO 90
ont This is quite inexplicablc. For he and
VI. Clemcnccau have been out once on a
"wiping out" racket. and both Of them were
well aware how harmless such an exercise is.
On that occasion both babe their friends adicu
with tears, embracing them and kissing them
repeatedly and dividing locks of hair among
them Both expressed their preference Of Death
10 Dshonor. Then they went to the st. Oucn
racecourse, stood up twenty-five PAGES apart
and began firing pistols at each other. They
| fired three time, and came very near WlplnS
out a lookcr-on who was occupying neigh
boring fence. Then everybody said they had
exhibited remarkable coolnc,s and courage, t.
which they both agreed, and they wiped out
their gun, and came away.
We cinnot understand why NJ. Dcrouedc
should have declined to repeat the perform
ance. The tears and kisses and embraces
would not need to be repeated, and if the
friends among whom it wa, di.tribut Il have
taken reasonable care Of the hair they received
on that occasion no new >hcaring would be
necessary. Never were two statesmen of tried
GOODNESS and courage so well fixed for u wiping
ont encounter. VI. Dcroulcdc having de-
clned his invitation, NJ. Clemcnccau prompt.
invited NJ Millcvoyc, who had called him
coward" to 90 somewhere with him and
"wipe ont that part of the debate on the
| Electoral RP1Orn Dill. VI. MllcNOIc ms not
to have "sprung to his feet on this occasion.
There being only the two persons present who
in the absence Of n Trustworthy District Mes
sengcr service had been intrIstcd with VI.
| Clcmenceaus mission it was hardly worth
while to do the springing act. Instead, he
turned the invitation over carefully and
thoughtfuy between his forcingcr and thumb
and remarked that just at present his engage
ments would net permit. There are two or
three other measures pending in the Chamber
upon which he proposes t, be heard and al
though the uncertainty of VI. Clemenccaus aim
4 and the haImlcSsncss OF his fire are well at
tested matters Of record. he does not propose
to take any risks Of being hit b. some stray
accidental shot from that stltcsnan's gun until
he has had an opportunity II enrich the annal;
of France with the remarks he has prepared On
these topics. When he has freed his mind on
them. he proposes to take the initiative in a
"wpng ont racket by sending VI. Clcmcnccau
a challenge himself. This. too, is phase that
we do not quite understand. For if Cicmcn-
ceau accepts the challenge he proves that he i,
not coward" and that his challenger is a
defamer and liar Ii he is a coward and does