The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-23
And Casimir-Perier and His Colleagues
at Once Surrender Their Portfolios
to President CarnOt.
RIGHTS OF LABOR INVOLVED
Cabinet Was Opposed to Unions
Among Railway Employees,
And Refused to Urge Directors to Let
Their Men Attend Labor Congress
The Premier ''Riding for FALL"

PARIS. May 22.-The government was de-
feated to-day. in the Chamber OF Deputies.
on the question as to whether the Minister
OF Public Works had the authority 10 al
low the employees OF the state railroads to
attend the congress of railroad men. The
Premier, NJ Casimer-Perier. demanded the
adoption Of the order of the day, pure and
simple. The Premier's motion rejected
by a vote OF 275 TO 225 NJ. Casimer-Perier
thereupon left the Palais Bourbon. and the
Ministers subsequently, proceeded to the
Elysee Palace and handed in their resigna-
tions to President Carnot.
Previous to the defeat the Socialist Dep
uty, NJ. Jules Guesde. moved that eight
hours be constituted a legal days work for
all working people throughout France. and
demanded urgency for the motion. amid
loud cheers and encouraging cries from the
Socialists. NJ. Guesde declared that the time
was ripe for the reform urgently demanded
by the workingmen. These remarks called
forth violent Interruptions from the men,
bers Of the Center. who abused the Social
lists. The latter replied in warm terms. and
the disturbance became so great that the
President of the Chamber was compelled to
Intervene and with difficulty succeeded in
restoring order. Other speakers supported
the motion and others still opposed it. and
the Minister of Public Works, NJ. Jonnart,
declared that the question was too grave
70 be dealt with offhand. and M. Guesde's
motion for urgency was thereupon reject
ed by vote OF 40l TO 81 and the original
motion In regard 10 the establishment of
legal days work OF eight hours was re-
ferred to the Commission on Labor.
NJ Jaurez. Socialist. asked whether the
Minister OF Public Works had the author
ity to allow the employees of the state rail
roads TO attend the congress OF railroad
men. NJ. Jonnart replied that he could not
interfere with the decisions OF the directors
of railroads. Personally he thought that
permission might be granted upon the con-
dition that the service was not impaired
by such attendance. Referring to the state
railroads and the law of 1885 respecting
trades unions, M. Jonnart said that it could
not be applied to state employees, adding:
IF we permitted them to form unions we
should authorize them to revolt against the
authorities" The last remark of the Min
lister OF Public Works called forth violent
protests from the members of the Left and
loud cheers from the Centers.
M. Jourde then declared that the govern
ments refusal 20 allow the employees of
state railroads to take part in the congress
was a singular example to private compa-
MES
NJ. Milleraud. Socialist. said that the rail-
road companies always refused TO permit
their workmen to attend such congresses,
and the government directly encouraged
them by the attitude which IT had assumed
to-day. adding: IF the government refuses
to state employees the right to organize Il is
In order to encourage the big companies to
resist the law" Cheers from the Left)
NJ
day. the order which was accepted by the
government In 1873. and at that time adopt
ed. and which concluded that the Chamber
inviting the government TO compel the big
companies. especially the state companies.
to respect the law of 1885,
The Minister OF Public Works said some
otner companies had accorded the neces-
sary permission to their workmen to at
Center)
Count DeLanjuienas (centriso asked why
the law did not apply % the big companies
and why. as some of the companies had
granted the necessary leave OF absence.
the state did not do the same.
Nj. Deramel tRightisD then moved that
the Chamber invite the government not 10
make any difference between state and
The President then said: 1.-TWO motions
have been submitted Which shall be put
first TO a voter
The question was followed by loud cries
OF both motions a-e the same"
AT this stage Premier Casimir- Perier in
terposed, exclaiming: THE government re-
Jects both motions and asks the Chamber
10 adopt the order of the day, pure and
s sisps This Al caused a sensation in the
among the members, for all saw that a cri-
sis had arrived The Premier's motion was
Casimir-Perier Immediately left the Cham
Der followed by the. Ministers, amid up
roarious cheers from the Left and the con-
sternation OF the Center party.
Priority being granted In favor of NJ
Milleraud's motion. IL was rejected by 240
to pa votes and NJ AIlleraud said ne would
support Deramers motion. The latter ex-
planned that the two motions were not
identical. Mtlleraud. he added. wanted to
ployes but. he added: II want no distinc-
ton between state and private workmen {"
After few excited speeches. NJ. Deramel's
Count de Douyifle-Aailefeu, member of
the extreme Left, proposed that the house
adjourn until May 81. in order TO give the
Cabinet time 10 reflect and 10 remodel it
self. This proposal caused another uproar
i'm the Chamber and was rejected. The
Until the divisions Of to-day the members
9. the Right voted with the Socialists and
Radicals.
on leaving the Chamber OF Deputies the
Ministers passed before the benches of the
extreme Left and were greeted with loud
''Vive la Commune"
The Ministers on reaching the palace of
the Elysee, acquainted President Carnot
with the result of the sitting of the Cham
Der and indicated their intention to resign.
They then left the President and pro
ceeded 10 the Foreign 'Office. where the
situation was discussed. Premier Casimir-
Perier presided. liz was decided to meet to-
morrow at the Eiysee Palace and formally
tender their designations 10 the President
II is considered that the fact that a second
vote was taken by the Chamber in the alb
sence OF the Ministers, precludes the pos
sibility OF a compromise. NJ Casimir-
Periers withdrawal from the government
will be irrevocable, and it is thought that
none OF his colleagues viii consent to en-
ter any new combination. for the reason
that the views voiced by NJ. JOnnart the
Minister OF Public Works I'm the Cham
Der, was assented 10. by all the Ministers