The herald., 1895-03-22
A tanners APPRENTICE.
The New President Of France Rapid,
Becoming Popular Idol-fils
Gifts to Charity

French republic, rose to his high officc
from tanners apprentice. He is proud
OF this. Always above his desk he keeps
a picture of himself in his tanners togs.
This interesting picture was taken when
he was 10 years of age, and is reproduced
in the New York World.
Felix Faure is in many ways the Clever
est President the French republic hiss
ever had. He is up to all sorts OF tricks
and devices and snares to get popularity
and keep it.
Courtesy and kindness of heart are
the chief characteristics of the people OF
France. and flattery has always been one
of the strongest cards French statesman
or politician could play. With hardly an
exception the French Presidents have
prided themselves upon their diplomacy
with the people.
OF all the chief executives, however,
Felix Faure, the new President of France,
is now seen to be the greatest diplomat.
The Partisan populace-and indeed the
people of the provinces-are rapidly raising
him to the pinnacle of hero worship. In
France it takes, often times, but an un-
important, incident, perhaps only an apt
phrase or two, to put man upon the
pedestal of popularity. Felix Faure Is
making his place secure in the hearts OF
the French people by thousand and one
little acts and speeches of this sort.
In France the Presidents official life is
dependent upon the wind that listeth.
Upon the support that is given him by
the Deputies the fate of his ministry and
himself hangs An adverse vote or want
of confidence may force him to resign at
any time. With President Faure the situ-
alton is particularly critical, for, elected
by a small majority, he has all the Radial
influence opposed to him, and the chances
of a powerful cabal against any ministry
he may name. u
A man thoroughly of the people, who
has come up from the ranks, President
Faure well understands the manner OF the
men and women he is dealing with. His
very first official act after taking his seat
as President was most significant. With
the aid of his friends in the Chamber he
had general amnesty law passed for all
condemned up to Januay 1st for crimes or
plots against the internal safety OF the
state, for the political offenders of the
press and for those concerned in electoral
frauds. This act was made sweeping in
its provisions and under it host Of polit-
ical exiles and refugees-notable BILE among
them, Henri ROchefort - re-entered
France. Since then he has gone even
further. Just within ten days he has de-
cided to extend the amnesty laws to cover
the five hundred or more suits now pend
ing against Paris coachmen for petty in
fractions of the statutes. His good will
and clemency do not stop here even, and
it is quite probable that through his infiu-
ence the charges will be dismis issed against
large number of writer's condemned for
offenses against public morality ~
new President is rapidly and effectively
winning secure place in the heart, OF
the people. He is making even more
friends by his charities and acts of be-
nevolerce. Though his official duties are
many and pressing. he is devoting his en-
=.
of charity. Among his first acts on be-
ing elected President was the gift to the
poor of Paris of 10000 francs, and 1900
francs to the poor of Havre, his native
city.
Another conspicuous bid for popularity
was his gift OF large sum of money for
wine with which the officers and men at
the barracks might drink his health.
During the recent severe weather, which
has thrown the Partisan poor into a state
of unexampled suffering, he and Nine.
Faure distributed large sums of money
for the relief of the needy through the
Assistance Publicue and the Mayors OF
various provincial cities as we'll. They
also made many personal donations of
food and clothing.
No previous French President, it is GER
tain, has ever taken such interest in the
great hospitals. M. Faure has given it
out that he will visit every institution OF
the sort in Paris. and has already COM
menced his rounds with the Hospital st.
Antoine. Here he visited every part of
the building, and had few words of con;
versation with every patient, not avoid
ing, even though he had ample excuse for
so doing, those i'll of contagious diseases.
On leaving the building he gave 400 francs
to be used for the benefit of the inmates.
Six hundred francs was his donation to
the Hospital Teo, at Belleville. visited day
or so later. But as keenly and compass
sionately as the new President studies the
condition Of the poor and suffering. he
does not forget nor neglect the rich. He is
a constant visitor at the clubs where they
give exhibitions of works of art and the
like, and upon his journeyings of this sort
Nine. Faure and his daughter Lucie are
his constant companions.
His tact and skill in meeting emergen-
cies or parrying thrusts have already be-
come proverb in Paris He is a man OF
great personal magnetism. and UNDER
stands the character of his people thor
oughly. No one knows better than he
how an apropos word or a kindly laugh
will dissolve opposition. AS he was re~
turning from Versailles Immediately after
his election, at the moment when the
Presidential landau was near the square
of Marigny, a group OF excited artisans
perceived him and cried: N
"Vive Brisson!"
The new President at once ordered his
coachman to stop. He jumped up in his
carriage and shouted back:
Eyes, my friends, vive Brisson! You
are right to cheer him, for he is good
republican like me-" ~
This happy reply turned the current in
his favor, and cries of "Vive Faure!"
and "Vive lie President" were heard on
every hand. h