The record-union., 1894-06-26

he was tried before the Senate on
| charges Of theft, conspiracy, sedition,
suDsldlZlng newspapers for evil employ
ment of disreputable agents ard plotting
riots. Boulanger did not appear, but re-
piled and confessed to using Government
money to subsidiZe an anarchist journal
on the plea that he wanted an agent in
anarchist ranks to discover socislistic
schemes in Germany. He confessed to
other dangerous and mean tricks. He
Carnot sentenced him TO transportation
for life and confinement in fortified
place.
The Count Of Paris, Victor Bonaparte
and Beulanger issued manifestoes, and the
latter went into the general election for
vindication, but failed miserably, while
the Republicans won with 365 in the new
Chamber against 2ll opposing members.
The international Exposition was in
augurated, and during its continuance by
common consent political activity was
mainly suspended. The Chamber voted
President Carnot an extraordinary credit
of 500, 900 francs, and credits of 100000
francs were allowed the Ministers TO en-
tertain strangers. The exposition was a
great success, had powerful beneficial
influence on commerce and the Interna
tional Congresses held IN connection with
the fair operated TO cultivate friendship
for France, and the TWO things stimulated
French pride and united the people patri-
otically.
Colonial France was much strength
ened, and by wise administration French
possessions abroad were well managed
and their trade augmented. There was
some difficulty in the autumn in the pos
sessions on the Gulf of Guinea, involving
an issue with Spain and with England.
THE YEAR 1890.
In 1890 imports increased 244, ,090,0 900
| francs, and l20,0O0.0O0 francs of exports.
Trade and production advanced and the
area sown to grain was larger III 1889 aud
1890 than for many years. Capital, dis
turbed by the Panama canal collapse,
suffered still, and was disturbed anew by
| the Credit toncier scandal and the In
volvement of other large credit institu-
tions. Shipping interests revived under
the bounty system. The finances of the
Government improved, many economies
were enforced, the army conditions still
further improved. its equipment greatly
bettered, its effective force increased.
The Duke of Orleans entered the re-
public and offered himself as an army re-
cruit. lie was arrested but appealed TO
Carnot, who wished to have him taken to
the frontier with the order TO go" But
it was concluded by the Cabinet to apply
the law of1SS9, eXpelling the Princes of
pretending houses. He was tried and
condemned to two years imprisonment.
Carnot wished to pardon the lad, but the
Duke would not make the application
necessary. But finally the President is
sued the pardon and deported the Duke
to Switzerland.
On the effort of the Chamber TO take
commercial and fiscal matters out of the
hands OF the Ministry the Tirard Cabinet
was disrupted and NJ. de Freycinet re-
| formed the Ministry, he becoming
Premier, and pledging defense oil repub-
lican institutions, tolerance, peace,
economic and social reforms, readjust
ment of the tariff laws and protection Of
agriculture and labor.
Tariff and labor legislation largely ab-
sorbed attention, the one TO protect
French laborers by a moderate tariff; the
other to check labor agitation and the
diScouragement OF strikes, the further
ance of arbitration and cooperative
workmen associations, profit sharing,
etc.
In this year the President and Cabinet
sent delegates 10 The Berlin labor con-
ference and were in consequence bitterly
criticised by Government opponents. ln
the May labor demonstration seventy
two persons We're convicted of eXcesses,
and Carnot pardoned them. Labor riots
and strikes prevailed in four sections and
there were econdemnations for lawlessnesS
a wide inquiry was Instituted into labor
conditions, bills favorable to workmen
who were provident and ms ured them
selves were discussed.
An anti-slavery congress was held in
Paris to promote anti-siavery work in
Africa. French possessions abroad were
generally prosperous and several were
extended in area and geographical inn
portance, notably in the African conti-
nent.
THE YEAR 1891.
In 1891 the census showed a decided
increase in population i'll towns and cities
and diminutlon of population in rural
sections, but on the whole general in
crease for the republic. Commerce was
much augmented in both imports and
exports. OF the exports 81 per cent.
represented manufactures and Is per cent.
AGRICULTURAL Bad weather DESTROYED
much of the growing wheat crop and the
WELD fell off 225, 1884, 600 bushels, or a third
less than the previous crop.
Since President Carnot took office the
army had been steadily improved. Every
Frenchman bodily tit made liable to call,
the age OF duty fixed at 20 and no exemp-
tions allowed even to students OF divinity.
The incapacitated must pay a military
service tax of francs, and a variable
surtax.
In this year France brought out the
largest force ever modified in peace, eX
cept, perhaps, the Russian mobilization
in 1890. The demonstration proved the
splendid condition of the active and re-
serve forces. the excellence Of discipline
and equipment, and the superiority of
French tactics.
In 1887 the navy consisted of 410 ves-
sells. in 1891 it had 49, vessels, and
many old ones had been supplemented
by new types of armored ships. A mobil
iZation in this year proved the navy to
have kept abreast of the army in better
ment.
The revenue increased nearly 200, 900. 900
francs. while the expenditures were but
little in excess OF those of 1890. A new
tariff system was adopted of protective
character. but with low rates to nations
according France reciprocal privileges.
A new scheme of criminal law was set
mn. so that for a first offense in certain
grades sentence IS suspended and IN i've
wears OF good behavior Is abandoned.
Rut ON second conviction the first pen
alty is also applied.
The Government revived the law
against gambling at races. No racetrack
can be opened in France without Govern
ment sanction, except those maintained
solely to improve the breed of horses, by
societies approved by the Minister of Ag-
riculture. Betting is also regulated un-
der laws passed IN 1891.
Labor issues were widely discussed,
and occupied legislative attention. a
Labor Bureau was established by law.
Nav lst there were labor riots fomented
bv anarchists and radical socialists, and
conflicts occurred between rioters and
troops and blood was shed. In the strike
of the omnibus drivers, public sympathy
was with them, and the Government
forced the employers to give less labori-
ous tasks and make shorter work peri
ods. abolish fines and recognize the labor
union of the men. This action greatly
nonularized the President and the Gov
eminent, and destroyed the ascendancy
of the Possibilists. The railroads were