New-York tribune., 1893-12-03
TOPICS IN PARIS.
MOBILES AND CIRCUS ACROBATS-GOR'
GEOUS ATTIRE FOR PRESIDENT
CARNOT - FASHIONABLE PEO-
PIE ARE FLYING KITES-A
MENU WORTH READING.
Paris, November Is.

MENU WORTH READING.
Paris, November IS.
Notwithstanding the reports that had been
| current to the effect that the Socialists here
might attempt to escort their representatives to
the Palais Bourbon on Tuesday last. the opening
of the Chamber passed off without any incident,
and there was no need to call for the services
either of the detachment of municipal guards
stationed in the Palais de rIndustrie or for the
police reserves. held in readiness for an emer-
gency The most remarkable feature Of the
occasion was the extraordinary number Of
noblenen and provincial magnates who took
their seats for the first time as Deputies. AT
no time since the establishment OF the Republic,
nearly four-and-twenty years ago. has the
! arstocracy Of France been 50 largely repre-
sented in the Chamber. and all predictions 10
the effect that the Republican regime and form
of government would result in keeping the great
landed proprietors aloof from participation in
the government, abandoning 1t entirely to pro-
fessiona politicians have been belied. Indeed
1t is doubtful whether even during the reign
of Napoleon III there were so many titled
personages to be found occupying seats in the
Palais Bourbon now. Among those whom
noticed there on the opening day the Dukes
of Doudeauvile and of Rohan. the Marquesses
Of rAnge- -Beaumanon. de la Rochejaquelin, and
de la Ferronays; the Comics de Colbert, de
Maille. de Juigne de Languinis and dEs-
peuilles the Barons de Mackau and de Ree NJ.
de Baudry dAsson. and the Prince dArenberg.
All these have abandoned their beautiful and in
many cases historical. chatcauX at the gayest
season Of the entire year for chateau life. in
order To fulfil what they consider to be their
duties toward their constituents and their
1ificnt understand
should have brought about this increased mani
fcstatiOn Of interest in political affairs the
part of the aristocracy since the prospects of
restoration Of the monarchy are now smaller
than they have ever been before. But the fact
remains that in proportion the chances OF
the Comte de Paris and Prince Victor Napoleon
have waned the participation Of their followers
in national affairs has augmented and
see men bearing the grandest names in France
assocating with, and In some cases voting with,
Socialists OF very advanced type. and with
men who previous to their election Deputies,
had followed such professions that of circus
acrobat and barber.
One Of the first questions which will occupy
the attention of the newly-constituted Chamber
is the urgent necessity that exists for putting
some check upon the use, or rather abuse. of
the parliamentary insignia These insignia con-
sist Of "A tricoor sash with gold fringcs. worn
over the right and tied on the left hip. and
species Of gilt star. or badge. representing the
fasces Of the Republic. surmounted by the
hand Of Justice. These were meant to be used
only at official ceremonies. such as reviews or
other great state functions at which 1t was
necessary that the Legislature should be repre-
sented. OF late. however, a number OF Depu-
ties have taken TO wearing their sashes and
badges in manner certainly not contemplate ted
when they were first instituted Thus. in the
recent strikes in the mining districts Of
the northern departments. Socialist Deputies
adorned with their parliamentary insignia
have actually been seen marching at the head
Of the strikers against the police and regularly
constituted authorities Now in France the
tricolor sash is universally regarded as n badge
of administrative and executive power A police
commissary for instance. is forced to don his
SASH and if necessary TO exhibit ii. when max
ing any important arrest assisting in the
maintenance Of public order during times Of
riot The Mayor and his assistants have to
wear tricolor sashes when performing marriage
ceremonies and tricolor sash forms an in
tegral portion OF the uniform Of an Ambassador
or envoy Of the French Republic when he is
engaged In official duty. The result is that the
uneducated masses Of the people, when they
see Deputies arrayed with their sashes heading
professions Of strikers and taking part in
Socialist demonstrations. infer that the latter
are cOuntenanced by the central governments
and that the opposition the part OF the local
authorities is merely due stupidity and mis-
apprehension. 1t Is proposed, therefore, that
the Chamber. with the object Of Safeguarding
its own dignity. should pass bill providing
for certain penalties to be imposed on any one
Of its members who is found wearing his tricoor
sash and insignia except on official occasions
and when representing the Legislature as part
of "A delegation.
Nor IS this the only sumptuary question that
now occupies the attention of our lawmakers
There has been for some time popular feel
ing that the President Of the Republic should |
wear some Kind of uniform upon official occa-
sions, in lieu Of the plain evening dress. re-
lieved solely by the red ribbon of the Legion of
Honor. which at the present moment consti- |
tues his only habit de ceremonie." This senti- |
ment has greatly increased since the Russian |
visit, when it was claimed that President Carnot |
made rather poor show by the side OF the |
splendid uniforms in which his guests were ar |
raycd, and that the ordinary citizen garb he |
wore should be replaced by gala suit befitting |
the head of the State. The question has been |
widely discussed. and the journal des Debats" |
the most serious and ponderOus of our news |
papers. suggests that the simplest thing to do |
would be to array the President in the mag |
nificent costume worn by the delegates of the |
at the time OF the great revolution |
costumes which were designed by the great |
painter David. II is difficult. however, to i'm |
agine President Carnot in such gorgeous attire, |
as the dress in question consisted of very |
long blue coat with vast red breast-haps and |
gold buttons, tight leather brecches. high jack |
boots. a felt hat with an immense trcolor |
plume upon it, broad trcolor sash as girde |
and an enormous sabre. Under the circum-
stances, President Carnot cannot be blamed for |
having declined to adopt the suggestion of the |
"Debats" and his decision that plain evening |