The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-05

After prolonged delay. for which Prcsi-
dent CARNoT seems to be held mainly
responsible. NJ. CAsniIR-PERIER. the pre-
siding officer OF the Chamber OF Deputies,
has consented to form a Cabinet. His
reluctance to undertake tho task was
attested by repeated refusas. and was
Justified by the bitter experience OF many
leading politicians. including GAMBErTA
himself. who by accepting the post Of Pre-
mier darkened a fair prospect Of obtaining
the Presidency OF the Republic. The only
Minister who can be said to have strength
ened his hold upon large section OF the
French people by his conduct and success
In office was NJ. constants; and the recent
crisis would have terminated earlier had
not NJ. CARNor refused to permit him
to occupy again Cabinet position.
That no Cabinet can long maintain itself.
however. without the support OF the friends
OF NJ. constants seems recognized by the
inclusion Of two OF his most stanch
adherents. NJ. SPULLER and N. BURDEAU,
In the new Ministry.
Considered as a whole. the Cabinet headed
by NJ. CAsIMIR-PERIER is representative OF
the Opportunist and Moderate opinions
which are supposed to have been sanctioned
at the last general election. 1t is more
representative OF the ostensible majority
OF the Chamber than was its predecessor:
for three members OF the latter held views
irreconcilable with those OF their chief. and
consequently NJ. DUPUY had intended to
dispense with their services after obtaining
vote OF confidence. As it is acknowledged
on all hands that the programme submitted
to the Chamber by NJ. DUPUY would have
commanded large majority had it been
pressed TO vote. 1t is scarcely to be-
expected that the proposals Of his sue
cessor will differ in any essential fea-
lures. That NJ. CAsMIE-PERIER and his
colleagues will pursue a relatively consery-
alive and anti-Socialist policy may DO in
ferred from their own political antecedents
as well as from tho composition OF the
Chamber. The fact that tho new Cabinet
is hailed ironically by NJ. CLEMEScEAU as a
triumph for the Pope. indicates general
belief that It will so far recognize the
friendship eyinced by LEO XIII. for the
French republic. as to deserve the support
OF the so-caled rallied" Republicans. The
other facts that NJ. RAYNAL is Jew. and
that II. BURDEAU has been denounced by
the anti-Semites as an agent OF the RoTHs-
CHILDs. may be regarded as evidence that
the Government will have the good will Of
influential financiers.
Are we to conclude that the protracted
crisis has done no harm TO the cause OF
stable and judieious government On tho
contrary. it is TO be feared that the chaotic
condition into which the Chamber Of Depu-
ties was thrown at the outset Of its first
session. has seriously impaired the means
of constructing a firm and homogeneous
majority. 1t must be remembered that the
present Chamber contains an exceptionally
large number OF new men. almost destitute
Of political experience. They were elected
under more or less explicit mandate from
their constituents TO conform 10 the moder-
ate policy personitied In N. DUPUY, I'm
they would have fulfilled their
express or taclt understanding with the
electors had an opportunity been given
them of taking part IA a vote OF conf
dence. But before they could commit them-
selves TO definite set Of opinions and enroll
In an organized. comprehensive
party. they were exposed to the disinte-
grating strain Of the most protracted crisis
which has occurred under the Third Repub-
lie. with the exception OF that which forced
President CREW to resign. The result has
been the formation Of groups. not only out