Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-13
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT
BY RADICALS TO OVERTHROW THE
FRENCH GOVERNMENT
Chamber of Deputies a Scene of Wild
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are Made
and Traps Laid.

16TlS, NOV. lA.-lHe TdulCdl groups III
the chamber of deputies today made an
unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the
government. The radicals have for a
long time been scheming to GUST the
Mellne cabinet for no very obvious rea-
son beyond a desire to secure the official
loaves and fishes for themselves. On
Tuesday last the chamber decided by a
ma jority of 10 to discuss on Monday next
the mode of electing senators. The gov
eminent opposed the proposal, but
snap division resulted in its adoption
The government did not take the action
of the chamber as an expression OF a
want of confidence, and no serious re-
suit followed its defeat. 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 Interpolation Of
fered today by M. Mirman, the radical
socialist, who sits for one of the districts
of Rheims.
The Republiaue Franchise, M. Melines
organ, published an article yesterday,
strongly attacking the opponents of the
cabinet. 1t charged with darkly con-
spring against the cabinet and with lay
ing snares every day to entrap the gov
eminent. 1t challenged to openly at
| tack 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 own policy.
The ground for todays 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
70 tinnd
| congresses. 1t was this question winch
| brought out the Interpolation by M. Mir
man.
The groups of the Left met yesterday
| to discuss what action they would take
on the Interpolation. M. Mirnan au-
| dressed the members of the extreme LETT,
who pledged themselves to support his
| Interpolation. The other groups showed
| a disposition to support 1t but were not
wholly unanimous.
ested audience and the debate was close
| ly followed by everyone present. The
seats of the members were fully occu-
pied and it was evident that the opposi-
ton entertained high hopes of forcing M.
Meline and his fellow ministers to visit
the palace of the Elysee to hand their
designations to President Faure-hopes
that were doomed to disappointment
when a vote was taken on the interpella.,
ton, as the chairman gave a majority OF
90 to the government.
| the clerical congresses recently held at
Rheims, at which crusade against the
republic was preached. Neveftheiess'
| the government refused to allow profess
| sors and school teachers to hold con-
gress.
Upon the conclusion of M. Mirman's
| speech, NJ Rambaud minister of public
| instruction and worship, assembled the
| tribune and briefly replied to the inter-
pellation. The point Of his remarks was
a statement that 1t was his intention TO
Introduce a measure in the chamber au-
thorizing teachers to form a mutual aid
society and to hold certain congresses.
This statement was greeted with ap-
plause. NJ. Darlan, minister of Justice,
followed NJ Rambaud. He asserted that
only one of the congresses held at Rheims
had taken attitude of what the govern
ment could disapprove. One clergyman
whose remarks had been particularly Of
fensive has since been censured and his
stipend stopped. The bishops, he added,
had been notified that they must prevent
the recurrence of any similar perform
ance at future congresses or other church
gatherings. M Darlan further said that
the government would do its duty in Sc
curing respect for the country's institu-
lions and for the protection Oh the rlsntS
of civil society.
The entire party manifested its ap-
prevail of NJ Darlan's statement by cneer-
ing him loudly.
Able Jules Lemire attempted to make
defense of the clergy, but was met with
cries of CLOSURE"
M. Bourgeois. ex-prime minister. pro-
tested against the closing of the debate,
and he was supported by Prime Minister
Meline The latter attacked the Catho-
lies who were conducting movement
against civil society.
nj. Meline declared that he welcomed
the discussion, as 1t gave the chamber
an opportunity to say whether the gov
eminent possessed its confidence. He re-
pudiated the charge that he encouraged
the clerical propaganda, maintaining that
he did not do so anymore than had ais
| predecessors in office, but he added. ne
could not war on religion. He was con-
WINGED that the chamber would approve
| his policy, which accorded with the IN
| terests of the country
The centre again gave voice to its ap-
prevail in cheers as NJ. Meline descended
1 from the tribune.
NJ. Alexandra Millerand, radical repuo-