The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-15
THE SOCIALISTS WIN.
A Decisive Overthrow Of the
French Ministry.
ON THE RAILROAD QUESTION.


chamber OF deputies On Nc QNcs4NAa "a
giving priority TO an order OF the day.
Last evening n Barfhou. minister OF
pubic works, resigned his office for the
reason t4at the council OF state had
decided against him in the matter OF
guaranteeing tie interest OF the South
ern rafiruud lines. II became generally
known that III. Alexander MElerand.
the well known socialist deputy and
editor ln-cssaee Of the Petite Repubsaque
Francaia wousd inteTpeilate the gov
eminent In regard 20 ID. Barthous
resignation, and that the government
would reply thereto. Consequently
large crowd gathered IN the chamber
to listen to the proceedings. 1t was
known that the position of the cabinet
was not an sure as IL might have been.
and the enemies OF the government
had hopes that the debate today would
result in it's overthrow. These hopes
were realized.
The question which led to the over
throw OF the ministry Is wide one
1t Is really a question as 70 whether
the chamber Is able to set aside the
constitution at will. In 1882 the gov
eminent made a contract with the Or
leans and Midi railroads, under the
terms of which, is return for certain
facilities and transportation OF waTa ma
teraai. the government guaranteed the
interest en- the bonds of the railways.
The government hesd that the guaran-
tee expired in 1914. but the directors of
the compa MES took a different view and
construed the agreement TO mean that
the government gus ranteed the interest
IN pegpetuity. Suits were brought in
the courts TO settle the question. In
June last NJ Barshou ordered the d.
vectors TO endorse their bonds 10 the
effect that tire guarantee expired in
1914. The directors refused to do 50.
and the case was then taken to the
council of state. which in such matters
is the final court OF appeals. The coun-
Gil on Wednesday last decided that the
guarantee was perpetual. This deci-
sion. which q majority in the chamber
claimed the right to reverse. was conf
plete negation of the contention of the
Dupuy cabinet and NJ. BarthoU's action
on the railway guarantees Conse-
quently the latter yesterday resigned,
and the proceedings of the chamber to-
day led to the resignation OF the other
members or the ministry
In submitting his Interpolation. NJ
Milierand said IL was not Barthou alone
who had brought before the council OF
state the conventions between the state
and the railway companies. but the whole
cabinet The decision OF the council OF
state. therefore. affected the entire cabi-
net. but only one minister. Barthou. had
taken the correct attitude and resigned.
The ministry was also to blame for sub
hitting to the council OF state unes-
ton which belonged to the chamber Of
deputies to decide. NJ. Millerand demard-
ed that an inquiry be held to determine
whether grounds existed for a criminal
prosecution OF II, David Raynal. who
was minister OF public works IN the
Ferry cabinet of 1858. In which year the
government entered into the contract
with the railways.
NJ AIillerand submitted TO the house
a resolution censuring the government
for laying before the council OF state
litigious questions. and demanding that
an inquiry be made into the conduct OF
NJ. Rayral. Raynal agreed to the de-
mand that an inquiry be made into his
conduct. and said: II am certain that
] shall be able to confound those who
are thirstlng for scandals and hungering
for cahrmnies." Prime Minister Drpuy
declared that after Raynars acceptance
OF the demand for an inquiry the gov
eminent would not oppose IL.
Referring to the order OF the day, Du-
puy reminded the chamber that the ques-
ton OF the period during which the inter
est guarantees would remain In force had
already been raised. and that the cham
Der iis.<, recognized the competency of the
council OF state to deal with, the question.
applause from the center) Continuing.
NJ. Dupny said. 'sTsae decision has been
given and we cannot disregard 1t. The
council OF state has decided the principle.
In case OF protests. the chamber must
judge whether the government Is capable
OF eoy.inung In Office. ~ Barthou re-
signed because he regarded the decision
OF tie council Of state as a personal
slight. The government did not have the
same reasons for adopting that course.
II II had resigned spontaneously, II would
have failed IN its duty. The cabinet ac-
cepted the decision of the council OF state,
while regrestinE the nInissry's defeat.
If. Barthou was considered by his atti-
tude speeches and statements 10 have
been more concerned than his colleagues
In the decision OF the council OF state.
RE resigned sSecasase the decision estab-
lissed q precedent from which the rail.
road companies would desire TO profit.
lie therefore declined 10 be i,anssHatei
before the railway companies
Dr.. chapuls. radical Republican. sub
Matted the following order Of the day:
.'Tae chamber regretting the erroneous
and dangerous Interpretation placed by
the government ca tire decision OF the
council of state, passes 20 the order Of
the day" This was adopted. and the RIO
ti2n OF Milierand was then carried by
az fle day wsre Submitted. Priority was
given BY . vote oE 2ss 70 2Si to ore cali
ing on the government TO vigorously de-
feni the rights OF the state as affected
by the decision Of the council or state.
I,upny declared IL this orsier Of the day
should BE adopted the government; would
resign vote was finally taken on Tire
latter motion. With the result that *
was defeated. the vote standing as Ia
favor OF 1t, 10 Isl against.
After several speeches ard declarations
proposal TO grant priority 20 a molten
rasde by Prot Trelaf. Republican. which.
OF al; the orders az the day. was TIE only
one accepted By the government THIS
order of tA@ day declared thas tire gov
eTnxasns adhered 90 the dosEr.ne % ths
separation % powers ard ire non-ister-
ference OF tks chamber With fhe judicial
functions OF the council OF sfate pri-