The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-19

Charles Thomas FloQuet was born in
france, october ;, 1sS. and was educated
as lawyer. he was a jealous Republi-
can during the latter days OF the empire
or Napoleon the Little In 1861 the car
OF Russia was the guest OF Napoleon III.
dhu with him was visiting the palace OF
Justice While at the palace there was
heard cry OF "Vive Ia Poiogne, Mon
sleur" Give the Pole addressed TO the
ruler OF all the Russias The cry came
from a lawyer standing in a group OF his
colleagues 10 watch the passing OF the
imperial party. That cry, which has been
so much spoken Of and which for time
was attributed 10 Gambetta, and which
might have had most serious consequences,
came from Charles FIoquet then promis-
ing young advocate, noted al the time for
MS extreme liberal ideas. He became at
once celebrated and fortune smiled on him
He appeared as counsel for the accused IN
numerous political trials during the sec
ond empire. In February, 1871. he was
elected TO the national assembly, but re-
signed because unable TO effect a reconcii-
iation between the government and the
commune. Being charged with completely
with the commune. ne was imprisoned for
several months. He served five years In
the municipal council OF France as a Rad
zeal. and became president of the council
In 1876 he was elected a member of the
chamber Of deputies. and acted with the
the Seine IN lSS2 by GambetJa, and worked
in perfect harmony with the municipality
until he was compelled TO resign because
or his sympathy with the autonomist de-
mands OF the Parsians, In October 1852.
he was elected deputy, and was chosen
president OF the chamber when NJ. Bris-
son became premier in 1855. He presided
over the chamber with dignity and impair
TALLY No man In France was his supe-
rsor a a presiding officer. He was well up
In parliamentary law, understood all the
deputies, and knew how to appease their
wrath and moderate their excitement Al
most without effort he calrned the worst
tempests. and by few appropriate, witty
words made adyersaries of the republic
complaisant. II not orderly. His good taste.
his finesse and common sense, backed up
by a quickness of repartee that was as as
tonishing IL was agreeable, enabled him
to command the respect of the entire cham
Der and the admiration of his own party.
In May 1887. Floquet was called upon to
form a ministry but failed. on April 3.
1855 he formed Radical cabinet, in which
he was president of the council and min
lister OF the interior and Immediately an
nounced his intention of dealing with pre-
tenders, whether draping themselves in
the flag or speaking In plebisctary enig-
mas" This was a direct declaration OF
war on that notorious humbug and would
be- Napoleon, Boulanger.
When Gen. Boulanger was presented for
the first time a candidate for the cham
Der in four departments, Gen. Logerot,
minister OF war. sought an interview with
him. and after receiving his positive denial
that he had taken any part In the election
maneuvers. told him TO return TO Clermont.
the headquarters OF the army corps which
he commanded. and take care that his name
should not be improperly used by his friends
IN the future. Not many days afterward he
broke his parole by going to Paris in dis
guise. where he was recognized by an army
officer and on investigation II was found
that he had personally directed the cleo
tonecring campaign by means OF cipher
kilograms For these acts he was relieved
OF his command and placed on non-actiV-
fly. and called before a court-martial con-
sisting Of I'VE generals, on March IS. 1883.
This was the signal for demonstrations for
and against Boulanger and while his trial
was pending he was candidate at Mar
settles. receiving a small vote. and in Aisne.
where he headed the poll az the primary
election. although as an offcer in active
service he was ineligible, and then with
drew in favor Of one OF his parusans. lie
defended himself before the military court
by SAYING that he came TO Paris % visit his
sick VIE, and denying his participation IN
the electoral canvass, but when confronted
with the telegra phic dispatches he made no
answer The court voted unanimously
against nm. ana lItSlutNL A-dAu0l o+5h-'l
the decree placing him on the retired list.
Freed thus from the restraints imposed by
his military duties he openly took the
field as a candidate for the department Of
Nord, with an address in which he accused
the chamber Of suppressirg the defense or
the nation. and the senate Of checking ev-
cry reform. and his judges OF condemning
him for reasons they dared not av0w. His
condemnation gave him a greater promi-
hence than he had before. The antagonists
or the third repuhic-Imperallsts. Cleri-
calls, Royalists and many extreme Radi-
calls and Social.sts-supported him, openly
and secretly. as the representative OF dis
satisfaction with the existing order or
things and with the men who controlled the
policy Of the nation His popularity rested
chiefly on the military reforms that he had
effected as minister OF war. He vas regard
"a among the common soldiers and the
peasantry as the creator 81 an army that
was capable. or soon would be, or aVenGuS
SEDAN and in his speeches he limited vague
}v at war The rural voters, who formerly
adhered 10 the empire. at the beck OF Bona
rarttst leaders now turned % Boulauger as
the embodiment OF the idea OF personal gov
eminent viii % is strong among the French
r,asantry Boulsngcr called himself a
democratic republican. although his po-
ntical friends and financial supporters were
Ronaparttsts and iu his demand for 4 re-
vision Of the constitution ne limited at a
system resembling that OF the United
States. IN which the president should Be
chosen av a ''pich srttc" and thu ministers
tie respons .hle 70 him ard not 70 parliament.
The raouarch.st and socialist factions that
constituted his party each hoped TO
shape rhe changes after Their own
ideas. He was elected by a majority az
loo 90 in the Nori where Bonapartists and
Republican extremists are strong. He was
elected in the DordoEue also but took his