The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-04

- k1ANAE ma -
ity 81 Aoaerates, appeal over their heads
70 the French electorate. They make
known with holiness ard confidence the
principles for which they stand. n
4loderafes were always proposing COM
promises and never seemed 20 know what
they wanted The Radicals, at least. are
oe1nite IN their aims and unequivoca1 in
their declarations. They ask permission
20 act upon their convictions. or. IL this
De refused, they appeal 10 the nation for
support as a party which is not identified
Win socialism, yet assumes 70 be an in
strament OF social and moral progress.
The Bourgeois ministry may not sur
we the first debate on foreign questions
one or Its leaders mas taken strong ground
against the Madagascar treaty, and an
otasr Is credited with favoring the con-
unhanc OF the English in Egypt. i:
would De strange. indeed. IL a ministry
VITA a schoolmaster in the foreign Office
ana with opponents OF the colonial ex-
pahs4on policy, were 10 escape defeat on
uapIomatc questions in a chamber where
is supporters are IN the minority. II II
succeeds in holding It's ground by accent
ing responsibility for the Madagascar Set
tfsHent, Il VII then have to force through
nostie cnamber a series OF unpopular
AHanclal measures. and will probably
per.sh in the attempt. II seems destined
70 rave a short career. and TO be followed
speedily by another ministry with N "a
Dot or NJ. Hanotaux as premier: but
snort-hVed as II may be. II has rendered
already an important public service
haaacd4sm has been reduced to definite
terms That Is q most s~alutarv ana
Wholesome result. az
The Bogey of R~adicaIIsm.
a conjuring word is "radicalism'' in
every country. but especially IS II one %
onInous import in France. At the sound
or the word visions OF the horrors az tTsa
OF lsG+ arise sHrahrfr. -.
victims are rolling through the streets.
the gnlIotine Is flashing In the sun: pal-
aces are stormed and barricades are de-
Tented: and the most beautiful capital
N Europe Is at the mercy OF a few hum
dred fanatics hab.tual criminals and
drunken patriots. with bands OF infatu-
ated followers eager to shoot hostages.
10 murder priests and TO set fire to the
houses OF the rich. So long as radicalism
IS a ngment OF the Imagination Il is a red
DOGGY which does not suffer a timorous
ffehcnman 70 sleep after curfew; but let
II once ne In possession OF the s~trougho!ds
OF political power and In a position to H.
care lis purposes and Il will no longer
seem a terrible ogre.
What Is II that 3 Radical premier like
NJ Bourgeois really wants. II he may he
judged by his programme? A higher
standard OF polt.ca, morality: prompt
ana thorough INVESTIGATION of legislative
scandals. purer judicial processes: or
deriy examination OF national budgets
progressive succession duties and income
taxes; reduction OF the tariff on hygienic
drinks; reorganization Of the military and
naval services with a view TO retrench-
ment or expenditures: separation of
church and state. freedom of association
Tor trades union purposes; arbitration In
labor conflicts; workmen's insurance and
old-age pensions.
This Is not a evolutionary programme.
England has carried out every one Of these
proposals, with the exception of church
disestablishment and workme insur-
ance and old-age tensions; and Mr.. Cham
berlain and Mr.. Balfour favored the last
mentioned reform in their campaign
speeches before the recent elections. In
America every one Of these measures has
been adopted. with the exception Of free
trade in hygienic drinks. workmen's in
surance and pensions and income taxation,
which has been pronounced unconstitu-
tional The French Radical would not be
considered a revolutionary intriguer in
either England or the United States II his
political programme were intelligently
scrutinized. Indeed. he has not been n
very dangerous person In France. and Is
less formidable, now that his aims have
been definitely announced by the Bour-
geois ministry. than he was when be was
a mysterious ogre brooding over the de-
struction of all political Institutions.
The Radicals I'm Office.
NJ. Borugeois lacks the practical sagac-
ity Of NJ. Ribot. and his ministers are not
a trained body OF public servants like the
members or the last government. II would
he premature and extremely hazardous 10
assume that the new cabinet will have
ei~theralong tenure of office or any marked
success I'm conducting the administration
The business affairs OF the state are prob
ably in more efficient hands when the
Moderates are IN power; hut the country
is not meuaced with ruin simply because
the Radicals are In Office. Their pro-
viii clear the air and dispel many
Illusions. Because they are frank and def
mite In their manifesto. their successors
VIII have 20 he less hypocritical ana am
bleuous IN their turn, and much ~ the
haze now enveloping French public life
may disappear IN consequence Of the on
trance OF a genuine radical ministry into
Office
The French have one % ne hest leE'sla-
tive machines now In practical operation
IN Europe. Through n system OF select
committees. extraordinary facility IN leg,s-
latiou has been acquired. The processes are
direct and simple. there s. Gttie ohstru--
ton. and the gross amount OF work whirn
can 10 accomplished during an annual SEES
sion exceeds tho calculations % parl.a-
mentariaus in other countries IL Is netler
m Engl.sh nor an American system, ect
IL Is in accord with the ira ituo0s OF the
first republic and with the characteristic
rent.s az the French people An omui1o-
tent parliament. however. can oaly eN-
er-.es eQch authority as IS vested iD 70
sv the electorate. and when 2 prentice
comes forward with a definite programme.
comprehensive 20 scope. he appeals 10 tae
mower hchiut the throne.
Thfs is what " Bourgeois has done.
IT'S minister's may be- Inexperienced clerks
hut rHs manifesto ~ Radical principles may