Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-11-13
MINISTRY UPHELD. |.
The French Cabinet Given a.
Vote Of Confidence
On Socialist Interpolation Premier
MerIine Makes Eloqu mt Plea 4
And Chamber Of Deputies Votes, 324 to 225,
to SusiaiA Cabinet.

Chamber Of Deputies, today. made al
unsuccessful attempt to overthrow tne
government. The Radicals have Tor
long time been scheming to Dust the
Meline cabinet, for no very obvious
reason, beyond q desire to secure tHe
official loaves and fishes for themselves
Tuesday, the Chamber decided py
majority of 10 to discuss, Monday next
the mode OF electing senators. The gov
ernment opposed the proposal, and soon
a division resulting in its adoption.
The government did not take the ac-
tion. of the Chamber as an expression
of want of confidence and no serious
result followed its defeat
This move on the part of the Cham-
ber was an incident in the manoeuVres
of the Radicals to force M. Mellne ana
colleagues out Of office. and 1t antlci-
pated the Interpolation offered, today,
by Levi Mirman. Radical Socialist.
who sits for one of the districts OF
Rheims.
The Republique Francaise, NJ. Meline' S
organ, published an article, yesterday,
strongly attacking the opponents of the
cabinet. 1t charged them with darkly
conspiring against the cabinet and with
laying snares every day to entrap the
government 1t challenged them to
openly attack the policy of the govern
ment and make charges against it from
the tribune of the Chamber. The arti-
cle,which was vigorous, hurled defiance
at the Radicals and concluded by call
ing upon them to disclose their policy.
The ground for today's attack was
Af ha
hitting priests although they are state
officials, to hold congresses, which
members of the Left regard
as being tantamount to forming
trades unions, and at the same time
the government will not allow univer-
sitaires to found associations or hold
congresses. 1t was this question which
brought out the Interpolation by M.
Miriam. The groups of the Left met,
yesterday, to discuss what action they
would take on the Interpolation. NJ
Mirman addressed the members of the
extreme Left who pledged themselves
to support his Interpolation. The other
groups showed disposition to support
it, but were not wholly unanimous.
The galleries We're filled with an in
terested audience and the debate was
closely followed by every one present.
The seats of the members were fully
occupied. and it was evident the oppo-
sition entertained high hopes of forcing
NJ. Meline and his fellow ministers to
hand their designations to President
Faure. M. Mirman's chief point of at
tack was the clerical congresses re-
Gently held at Rheims. at which cru
sade against the republic was preached.
Nevertheless. he said. the government
refused to allow professors and school
teachers to hold a congress.
M. Ranbaud, minister of public in
struction and worship, briefly replied
to the Interpolation. He stated that
he intended to introduce a measure au-
thorizing teachers to form mutual aid
society, and hold certain congresses.
This statement was greeted with ap-
plause.
M. Darlan. minister of justice. said
that only one of the congresses held at
Rheims had taken an attitude of which
the government could disapproye. One
clergyman, whose remarks had been
particularly offensive. had since been
censured. and his stipend stopped. The
=
must prevent the recurrence of any
similar performance at future con-
crosses or other church gatherings. Tho
government would do it's duty in secur-
ing respect for the country's insttu-
tions and for the protection of the rights
of civil society. The Centre party
cheered M. Darlan loudly.
Abbe Jules Lemire attempted to make
defense of the clergy, but was mel
with cries of Closure"
NJ. Bourgeois. ex-prime minister. pro
tested against the closing of debate
and he was supported by Prime minis
ter Meline. The later attacked tho
Catholics, who were. he said, conduct
ing movement against civil society
M. Meline declared that he welcomed
discussion, as it gave the Chamber al
opportunity to say whether the govern
ment possessed it's confidence He re
pudiated the charge that he had en-
couraEed clerical propaganda, main
tanning that he did not do so any NOR
than had his predecessors in office. bu
ne added, he could not war on religion
he was convinced that the Chanbe
would approve his policy. which ac
corded with the interests cf the coun
try. The Centre cheered NJ Me.ine.
M. Alexander, Millerand, Radical Re
publican Socialist, made a violent at
tack upon the government Ministe
Rambaud essayed to reply. but the erie
of Closure" became so loud and in
sistent that he finally yielded.
Five orders of the day were pre-
sented. but M. Meline declined to ac
cept any except the one offered by M
Poincare, administer of public instruc
ton. the grist of which was that IN
Chamber approve the declarations O
the government, trusting it would Ell
sure respect for the rights of the state
M Gustave lsambert. Radical Repub
lican. demanded priority for his orde
OF the day implying a censure of tn
government. This was rejected. 301 I
22s and NJ. Poincares order. express
ing confidence in the government. wa
adopted 324 to 225. NJ Mirman propose
to add clause to NJ. Poincare's orda
out 1t was rejected 3o2 to 176.