The San Francisco call., 1896-11-13
RADICALS TRY TO
. OVERTHROW MEL|NE
=.
But the Attempt to Force
Out the Cabinet Is a
Failure.
Policy of the French Government
Upheld After a Hot Debate
Among Deputies.
PECULIAR GROUND OF ATTACK
Clergymen Given the Right to Hold
Congresses While 1t Is Denied
Teachers and Others.

PARIS, FRANCE, Nov. 1.-THE radical
groups in the Chamber of Deputies to-day
made an unsuccessful ATTEMPT to over
throw the Government. The radicals
have for long time been scheming TO
Dust the Meline Cabinet for no very obvi-
Gus reason beyond a desire to secure the
official loaves and fishes for themselves.
On Tuesday last, as detailed in the dis
: patches of the United Associated Presses,
the Chamber decided by a majority Of
u. nineteen to discuss on Monday the mode
:. Of electing Senators. The Government
opposed the proposal, but q snap division
resulted in its adoption. The Government
did not take the action of the Chamber as
ain expression of want of confidence, and
no serious result followed its dofeat. This
move on the part of the Chamber was an
incident in the maneuvers OF the radicals
to force NJ Meline and his colleagues out
of office, and it anticipated an interpella-
ton offered to-day by NJ. Levi Mirman, the
radical socialist, who sits for one of the
=. districts of Rheims.
The Republiquc Franchise. NJ. Melines
organ, published an article yesterday
strongly attacking the opponents of the
Chamber. 1t charges them with darkly
conspiring against the Cabinet and with
laying snares every day to entrap the
Government 1t challenges them to openly
attack the policy of the Government and
to make charges against It from the tribune
of the Chamber. The article, which was
a vigorous one, hurled defiance at the
radicals and concluded by calling upon
them to disclose their policy.
The ground for to-day's attack was the
question of the Government permitting
priests, although they are State officials, to
hold congresses, which the members of
the Left regard as being tantamount TO
forming trades-unions, while at the same
time the Government will not allow the
unIversitalres to found associations or
ho.d congresses. 1t was this question
which brought out the Interpolation by
NJ Mirman.
The groups of the Left met yesterday TO
discuss what action they would take on
the Interpolation. Mirman addressed the
members of the Extreme Left, who
pledged themselves to support his inter-
pellation The other groups showed a
disposition to support it, but were not
wholly unanimous.
The galleries were filled with an inter-
estIng audience, and the debate was
closely followed by every one present.
Every seat of the members was occupied,
and it was evident that the Opposition en-
tertained high hopes of forcing NJ. Meline
and his follow Ministers to visit the Pal
ace of the Elysee to hand their resigna-
tons to President Faure-hopes that were
doomed to disappointment when a vote
was taken on the Interpolation, as the
n nar cox Of i'm otxy-n
to the Government.
NJ. Mlrman's chief point of attack was
the clerical congresses recently held at
Rheims, at which a crusade against the
republic was preached. Nevertheless, the
schoolteachers the right to hold a con-
gress.
Upon the conclusion of NJ Mirman's S
speech NJ. Rambaud. Minister of Public
instruction and Worship, ascended The
tribune and briefly replied to the interpret
lation. The point of his remarks was a
statement that it was his intention TO in
tro6uce a mea sure to the Chamber, au-
thorizing teachers to form a mutual aid
society and to hold certain congresses.
. This statement was greeted with ap-
plause.
M. Darlan, Minister of Justice, followed
NJ. Rambaud. He asserted that only enc
of the congresses held at Rheims had
taken an attitude of which the Govern
ment could disapprove. One clergyman
whose remarks had been particularly of
fensive had since been censured and his
stipend stopped. The Bishops. he added
had been notified that they must prevent
the recurrence of any similar performance
lat future congresses or other church
gatherings. NJ. Darlan further said that
the Government would do its duty in Sc
curing respect for the country's institu-
tions and for the protection of the rights
OF civil society.
The Center party manifested its appro-
val of N. Darlan's statements by cheering
him loudly.
Able Jules Lemire attempted to make q
defense OF the clergy, but was met with
cries OF closure"
NJ. Bourgeois, ex-Prime Minister, pro-
tested against the closing of the debate
and he was supported by Prime Minister
Meline. The latter attacked the Catholics,
who were conducting movement against
civil society.
M. Meline declared that he welcomed
tie discussion, as it gave the Chamber an
opportunity to say whether tho Govern
ment possessed its confidence. He repu-
dated the charge that he encouraged
clerical propaganda, maintaining that ne
did not do any more than lad his prede-
cessors IN his office, but, he added. he
fcould not war on religion. He was con-
svinced that the Cham Der would appr owe
this policy, which accorded with the inter-
Ssts of the country.
The Center again gave voice to its APP
proval in cheers as M. Meline descended
from the tribune.
NJ. Alexandra Millerand, Radical Re-
publican Socialist, made violent attack