The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-07-11
PRESIDENT OF. FRANCE.
M, CASIMIR-PERIER ELECTED
ON THE FIRST BALLOT.

Cheering Crowds Honor the New
Chief - The President Modestly
Addresses His Friends-He Asks
the Ministry to Remain in Office
His Life.
M. Casimir-Perier has been elected Presi-
dent of the French Republic on the first bal
lot to succeed NJ. Carnot deceased. The to-
tai number OF votes cast was s53, OF which
N. Casimir-Perier received 451. The an
nouncement OF the result was received With
loud cheers.
The National Congress summoned to elect
q President of the French Republic for full
term of sever years was called to order In
the Palace of Versailles. Paris. by NJ Chal-
lemel-Lacour, at 1.10 p. m. The great hall
OF the palace was crowded and the galleries
were thronged with spectators.
At least five minutes elapsed after the
formal call to order before there was sufi
cient quiet to enable the presiding officer to
be heard.
When, finally. the Assembly became order
y. M. ChallemelLaeour announced the
tragic death of NJ. Carnot and declared the
Congress open for the purpose OF electing
his successor.
Scarcely had the President ceased speak
ing when N. Michelin, Socialist, sprang to
his feet and shouted II demand the sup
preston OF the Presidency OF the Republic. !"
A tumultuous scene ensued, the uproar be-
ing 80 great that the President could not
make himself heard.
NJ. de Baudry dAsson endeavorsd to pro-
pose revision Of the constitution, but was
quickly slenced by the President. Lots
were then cast for a ballot, the object being
to see which letter the ballot would begin
with.
The letter ST. was drawn and the name
o. ". Labarthe, Moderate Republican, was
the first called. In accordance with the GUS
tom, NJ. Labarthe ascended the rostrum and,
being recognized by the Scrutator, placed
his ticket in the great urn which serves as
ballot box and descended and returned to
his seat.
Tne Senators and Deputies whose names
were subsequently called went through the
same ceremony. The voting proceeded
monotonously in this way.
Much confusion prevailed throughout the
session. Premier Dupuy sat upon the Min
isterlal bench at the head of his colleagues,
and the political parties grouped themselves
together in different parts of the hall.
Many OF the Socialists were compelled to
remain standing, as they were unable to find
seats. There were no speeches.
After all the members of the National AS
sembly had deposited their ballots In the urn
the tellers took the urn to the committee
room.
The Assembly. after a long and impatient
wait, was much relieved when the tellers re-
turned and announced the result.
The vote stood: Casimir-Perier. 45l Bris-
son, 191 Dupuy. 90; General Fevrier, 80 !;
Arago. 81; Scattering, 80: total. 353. The
combined membership of Senate and Cham
ber Is SS1-3o0 Senators, 591 Deputies. OF
these S77 were present, but q did not vote.
Casimtr-Perler had been awaiting the re-
suit in the salon of the Presidents chamber.
When the news was brought to him he tried
to speak, but no words came. He mastered
his emotion and was conducted to the salon
of the President of the Republic, and the
members of the Congress aud others has
tened to offer their congratulations.
Dupuy and the other members gave the
President verbal notice of their designations
according to the custom. All then took their
departure for Paris. The new President
urged them to retain Office under him. In
stead of taking the state carriage the Presi-
dent had the horses attached to the one In
which he had driven from Paris, and the
members OF the Cabinet used the official
coach.
The departure was marked by one annoy
ing incident AS the carriage were leaving
the Court of Honor at the Palace, some one
exploded a small f1recracker under the coach
occupied by the Ministers. There was no
panic, however.
The drive to Paris occupied just an hour.
The President was cheered Justify along the
entire route. The shouts of the people out
side the city were ':Vive Ia Republique"
and "Vive Ia France!" but when the city
was entered the cry changed to "Viye
Casimir-Perier Paris itself welcomed
the new President with almost frantic JOY.
The scene as the carriage passed down the
Champs Elysees was one OF magnificent en-
thusiasm. The President established his
headquarters temporarily at the Foreign or
llce, where he at once assumed the direction
OF executive affairs.