The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-13

of Paris. 10000 francs. his monthly con-
tribution to the poor of Paris, Ranc
thanked him and said: IF there were
many aristocrats like you there would be
fewer republicans like myself"
Although there is nothing very attrac-
tive about the appearance of M. Ranc, his
followers have perfect faith 10 his ability
to guide the ship of constitutional Repub-
licanism.
NJ. Ranc is marvellous political detec-
tive, and his articles are chefs d'Ruvre of
POLITICAL erudition. He knows where that
Deputy is strong, where that Senator is
feeble, and since the death Of Gambetta he
has been an Independent in politics. He
| advocates Republican cOncen traton. but
prefers the radical 10 the monarchiai al
lance. His influence is felt in the Cham
Der OF Deputies, although he has ceased to
be member. and his oral consultations
emphasize his opinions in the press.
Born in POitierS in 1881. in 1919 we find
M. Ranc in Paris, pathizng with the
republic and universal suffrage. Under
the empire he was sent to Lambessa, a
prison in Algeria. Bellamare, an insane
shoemaker. had fred on the carriage of
the ladies-in waiting of the Empress at 9
o'clock in the evening" At midnight NJ.
Ranc was arrested, and as he was perfectly
conscious of his innocence he calmly
waited in order that an investigation
might be made. However, the innocent
he heard that he had been suspected Of
knowing Bellamare's plans.
M. Ranc escaped from Lambessa as he
had escaped at the time of the coup d'etat,
and as he again escaped after the Com
mune.
During the commune NJ. Ranc was
Mayor of the Ninth ACCOMPLISHMENT of
Paris. and as he himself relates: Zone
day. Gambetta sent me word to come to
the Department of the Interior. There.
he said, 1 am going to leave Paris in bal
loon and here is an order for you to join
me- A few days later | started. and, as
the balloon left from the Orleans station,
|. with my valise. cane. umbrella. ETC..
called cOachman and said. Take me to the
gara d. Orleans.' The man began to laugh,
evidently wondered at my ignorance and
exclaimed; You do not know yet that thera
no more trains" With great difficulty l
prevailed on MIN to drive me to the gare
and at last l reached Tours. where found
Gambetta.
Admiral Fourchon could then hardly
conceal his anxiety when he saw this
young lawyer, without experience, organ
iZe the defense. but after the war, when
ever the admiral heard any remarks de-
r0gatory to Gambetta he would say: Not
before me. gentlemen. can you make such
observations, unless you wish them CONTRA
dicted. know what Gambetta has done,
and / know that he was perfectly cap
able Of performing the great task assigned
him."
Aud Gambetta knew that in M. Ranc he
had an assistant worthy OF the cause.
The two we're the irmess friends, and
everywhere, now in NJ. Ranc's apartment.
Place des Vosges. one sees souvenirs oil tho
great patriot
betta. there are portraits in oil and photo
granhs. autograph letters, etc. There is
the famous letter in which Gamble an
nounces to his friend the sentence against
Razaine-degradation and death. For it
was NJ. Ranc who, IN great degree, con-
trlbuted to the trial of the traitor. In 1872
he published some anonymous articles in
tho Republiaue Franchise, articles that
treated of the siege of Metz and of Ba-
zaine. So we'll written were they that
they were attributed to General Fare and
Colonel Jung. Theirs, much alarmed.
asked Gambetta to postpone the publica-
ton of the articles, because he saw that
as a result Bazaine would be brought to
trial. and THEIRS fears were realized.
But Ranc himself was condemned 20
death for having made part of the CON-
mune. When he heard of his sentence he
was at Bargival. and from there he went
Belgium.
At Velomes-Lo;Rny, where the train
stopped moment. he rushed out, pushed
the gates and in spite of the guards appeal
reached til. frontier of Belgium, distant
only few yards.
Soon as on Belgian soil M. Ranc took
off his hat and politely bowed to the agi-
tated station-master. He only returned to
Paris 10 1879 and in 1881 was elected
Deputy.
During the war Of 1870 NJ. Rauc was also
director OF public safety. but the only in
terestlng incident of his administration
was the arrest Of the Prince de Joinville.
NJ I Evyit a
deaf man, whose conduct led the people to
suspect him of being a spy. From the
description he judged the suspected man to
be the Prince de JoinviIle, and just then
letter from Gambetta announced that the
Prince was at LIE Mans.
Immediately NJ Ranc started for 1e
Mans, and the Police Commissioner he