The record-union., 1894-06-27
WHO WILL BE PREsIDENrs

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Premier Dupuy is too inexperienced in
statecraft to fill the chair left vacant by
the death of Carnot. He was the first
Premier called from comparative mex
perience, and the first to form Cabinet
from which was excluded Ministers who
were familiar with national affairs. He
surrounded himself in his first Cabinet
almost entirely with men of ministerial
inexperience, whereas the wise custom
has been in France, when q Cabinet fell.
for its successor to retain portion Of the
old mem bership, that the ship of state
should not be committed to the hands of
ministerial nsvigators who were wholly
new in such duties.
The better man for the Presidency is
Casimir Perier, the ex-Premier and now
in the chair of the Chamber for the third
time. But Perier was born a Royalist
and brought up one, though now Re-
publican. A safer man, as we read the
recent political history of France. is
Eugene Spuller, who has perhaps oftener
than any other filled Cabinet positions,
and whose ability, integrity. loyalty to
the republic and far-seeing have never
been questioned. He has the strength of
negative quality, often the best of armor.
Saussier is military man above all else,
and is more famous as Commandant of
Paris than as statesman. France does
not want at this juncture military Pres
ident.
M. Constans would make an admirable
President. No man is more cordially
hated by anarchists and the mob than he
they have felt his strong hand. lie is re-
markable for his frmness, courage and
his loyalty to republican institutions. but
it is unlikely that he could secure the
election. because no man has made more
antagonists in the Assembly. His very
target for all the factions. He it was who
throttled Boulangerism; who, rising from
the position of a school teacher to the
rank of university chair, reused all
France by his liberal preaching, and was
practically exiled by a Ministry he an
tagonized, but went before the people and
was triumphsntly seated in the Cham Der,
and has ever since been in position as
Minister or legislator.
Lacour, President of the Senate. is a
very prominent figure il the contest He
has had experience as editor, educator,
diplomat, Minister and legislator. He
can be trusted, and is able and popular.
Indeed, he is the most scholarly of all
the candidates, and ranks as a savant.
But these deeply learned men are not
necessarily the best Executives. On the
contrary, they most generally lack ex-
ecutive quality, because they are not close
enough to worldliness and the practical
in life. Lacour. however, is a thorough
Republican and a man of great moral
courage and if elected will be the most
finished scholar who ever filed Presi-
0SAtASA SAa4E III any udblOQs but 1acOQr
leans strongly towards the church party,
and this withdraws from him much
strength.
Brisson is probably least likely to be
chosen, though by no means man who
would not grace the Office. But he is not
self-seeking. He is a modest man, never
pushes his claims and is unambitious.
He was the chief competitor for the Presi-
dency against Carnot. He is dignified,
studious, Unconditional, clear-headed and
conscientious legislator, and has also had
ministerial experience. His republican
ism is unquestioned.
In the order of desirability for the good
of France we should place the candidates
thus: Spuller, Constans, Brisson. In the
order of likelihood of being chosen, it is
good guess to place the candidates thus
Perier, Dupuy, Laeour, Sanssier, Brisson,
Constans.