The herald., 1894-05-23
FRENCH CABINET CRISIS,
Casimir- -Perier Resigns the
Premiership.
All the Rest of the Cabinet Go
Out With Him.
Their designations in the Hands OF
President Garnet.
The Government Defeated in the Oh ann
ber of Deputies on a Question
Affecting Employees of
State Railways.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS. May 22.-The government was
defeated today in the chamber of depu-
ties on the question as to whether the
minister of public works hae the au-
thority to allow the employees of the
state railroads to attend congresses OF
railroad men. The premier, M. Casimir-
Psrier, demanded the adoption Of the
order Of the day, pure and simple. The
premier's motion was rejected by vote
of 275 to 225. nj. Casimir- Perier there
upon left the Palais Bourbon. and the
ministers subsequently proceeded to the
Eysee palace and handed their resig-
nations to President Carnot.
Previous to the defeat, the Royalist
deputy, M. Jules Guesde, moved that
eight hours be constituted legal days
work for all work Of the people through
out France, and demanded urgency for
the motion, amid loud cheers and cries
from the Royalists. M. Guesde de-
clared the time was ripe for the reform
urgently demanded by the working
men.
These remarks called forth violent in
terruptions from the members of the
center, who abused the Socialists. The
latter replied in warm tones and the dis
turbance became so great that the pree-
ident 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. Jonnsrt,
declared that the question was too grave
to be dealt with off-hand, and Guesde's
motion was thereupon rejected by a
vote of 401 to "a, and the original mo-
ton in regard to the establishmsnt of a
legal days work of eight hours was re-
ferred to the commission on labor.
M, Jaures. Socialist, asked if the
minister Of public works had authority
to allow the employees OF the etate rail-
roads TO attend congresses OF railroad
men.
M. Jonnart replied that he could not
intarfare with the decisions of The di'
rectors of the railroads. Personally, he
thought that permission might be grant
ed on condition that the service would
not be impaired by such attendance.
Referring to the state railroad law oil
1885 respecting trades unions, M. JON
mart said it could not be applied to state
employe ees, adding: IF We permitted
them to form unions we should author
izs them to revolt against the authori-
ties.''
The last remark of the minister OF
public works called forth violent protests
from the members of the left and cheers
from the center.
NJ Jourde then declared the govern
ment's refusal TO allow the employees OF
the state railways to take part in con-
crosses was singular example to pri-
vate companies.
M. Milierand. Socialist, said the rail-
way companies had refused to permit
their workmen to attend such congresses,
and the government directed and en-
couraged the attitude which was as
sumed today, adding:
''If the government refuse to state
employe ees the right to organize, it is in
order to encourage the big companies to
resist the law" [Cheers from the left. |
M. Millerand moved as the order of
the day, the order which was accepted
by the government in 1898 and then
adopted, and which concluded with the
declaration that the chamber invites the
government to compel the big compan-
les, especially the state companies, to
respect the law OF 1885.
The minister of public works said some
of the railroad companies had accorded
the necessary permission to their work
men to attend the congress. Applause
from the center.
Count de la Guinas, Centrist, asked
why the law did not apply to the big
companies, and why, as some of the big
companies had granted the necessary
leave of absence, the state did not do the
same.
M. Deramel, Rightist, then moved
that the chamber invite the government
not to make any difference between state
and private employ ees.
The president said: 1.-TWO motions
nave been submitted. Which shall be
put forth to vote ?"
The question was followed by loud
cries of "Both motions"
At this stage Premier Casimir-Perier
interposed, exclaiming: "The govern
ment rejects both motions, and asks the
chamber to adopt the order OF the day,
pure and simple" TSensaton in the
chamber, and much whispering among
the members. for all saw that crisis
had arrived.
The premier's motion was rejected by
a vote OF 275 to 225, and M. Casimir-
Perier Immediately left the chamber,
followed by the ministers, amid uproar-
ious cheers from the Left and consterna-
tion among the Centre party.
Priority being granted in favor of M.
Millsrand's motion, it was rejected by a
vote of 240 to 224, and Millerand sal d
be would support Deramele's motion.
The latter explained that the two mo-
tions we're not identical. Millersnd, he
added, wanted to apply the law in favor
OF the railroad employees. but. he
added, Il want no distinction between
state and private workmen."
After few exchanges, M. DeramePs
motion was adopted by vote of 25l to
223.
Count de Deuville Mailefou. member
OF the Extreme Left, proposed that the
house adjourn until May 2lst, in ordsr