New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-03
THE FRENCH SYSTEM.
New-York. Jan. 10. 1885.

llC FhE->ttl . i|-''
MORE STABLE THAN APPEARS on THE SURFACE.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In my judgment. Reginald II. Wilamss lei
ter in The Tribune OF this morning contains some
misconceptions and errors. while 1t manfests an
unfriendly disposition toward France. 1t is not
gracious for him to say that France Is in con-
tinued turmoil" and that the Chamber of Deputies
is "a mess for the devil" | shall confine myself
in my answer to that portion OF his communication
which refers to the changes In the MINISTRY anu
tenure OF the President.
In the first place the French Republic was pro-
claimed September l. 1870, and finally established
by the constitutional laws in 1870 Since that tlme
France has been controlled by one party only.
In the United States and England. however. there
have been many changes OF party. brought ABOUT
by great expenditure OF treasure and energy.
There are many persons who mistake the agita-
lions on the surface OF French society as oeihs
violent changes In the structure OF government
when they are. in point Of fact, only incidents III
the existence of a grand honest and iaborious
people who as In the present Crisis, purihed by
their experiences and chastisement VIII continue
,,,so,v IN REGULATE their business commercial and
public affairs.
The Ministry OF to-day is peculiarly and unquey
French. Resignation Of Ministries Is not pro'iueu
for by law but Is a custom resulting from the Iac.
that a Minister a Cabinet not In the coh'roi OF
the majority has longer n chance OF obtaining
from Parliament the laws or credits necessary TOT
carving on the Government. The rule In france
for the last twenty-four years has been changes
in men, with monotony OF Government hoSu'e
vote Is often directed against one or se'erai men"
bers OF the Cabinet, who In such cases are t''e
only ones removed even the Premier In some IN
stances has been retained on the reorganization,
either at It's head or in a lesser position. The Pres
ident, by continuing TO yield has become III one
sense n Premier at the head OF removable en-
ecutive council It is entirely true that the appear
TO the people has. practically been lost, ana the
chief feature OF the English parliamentary pro-
cedure suppressed Whether the want OF power IN
the French Ministry 10 dissolve the Chamber OF
Deputies has subjected 1t TO so many numerous
changes is a question too speculative to be enteres
upon this occasion. cabinets are almost a."a S
formed by a combination of the same persons WHO
belonged to the preceding Ministry; ana III ene
twenty cabinets that followed each other since isI'
consisting OF PIG portfolios. there cannot be iouhn
more than about hfty-seven different names 5,or
the writer thinks that the consequence will he
lasting and disastrous ard that win each sii', Us
terial there will be Presidential crisis In me
light OF French history this prediction is not iui,
filled Since 1870 France. with all her changes o.
Ministries has had only five Presidents before ,ne
nomination OF NJ Faure making an average term
OF Office OF about five years being longer man ne
raure continues in office until the end OF his term
the average viii be considerably increased ,,
The writer thinks the President OF France shouIa
not be I'm any way dependent upon the chamber
OF Deputies" Why mott Can there be any better better
sorm OF the democratic idea than that the EXecu-
live OF a nation should yield to the voice OF the
pcople as represented by the temporary power
holders o, -, ,-.,,
Then Mr. Williams believes that Grevy ana Sasi-
-perler should have obtained the consent OF tne
senate and dissolved the Chamber. rather th man
submit to what they regarded as an uhtriehuy
vote OF the popular branch OF the 6ov"rhmeutt
Neither OF these Presidents could have sotteh tne
necessary consent. In Marshal MacMahoh ui,ie
there were still a number OF lfe-menoers III t,le
senate and through their influence he Obtained lre
consent and appealed to the people Inc result
was that a much larger number OF advanced ~
nublicans were returned than had belonged 10 ne
former Chamber. lie very properly resgneu ~
other President has attempted the same mahoeu'te
against the Chamber. II is well known that even
n Ga sImIr- Perer had obtained the co-operauoh y.
the senate there would have been eIec.eu' pn
dssolution an Increased Radical majority ne
President was perfectly aware OF these iacts anu
he acted although rather hurriedly: put sun III
touch with the practical working or the "o'e'"-
ment. - $500. -, 49, mo, ~ tho
(onvention'' in their sanguinary winding -sheets 70
deter the members OF the present ,haHoe, ~ oni
Initiating the example OF the Cordeiers ana Jazz a
hins The life-power. force and genius OF me tris
France resides In the masses who work, anc III On
~ anirit NJ the Revolution She should secure the
Limitation OF the world for her course since me
overthrow OF Louis Napoleon II "A fresiuen,,L Ie
sans new one is Immediately appointed, without
Excitement or friction. Then. certainly. France
zoos NOT stand in need OF the American fresi-
JcntiaI system with all It's power ana rohict; .oi
ina, would bring her real mess fof me ues
x.,l fan