New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-07
FRENCH REPUBLICANISM.
ENGLISH STRUCTURES AND PROPHECIES
CRITICALLY EXAMTNED-SOME HIS
TORICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

The downfall Of the Brisson CABINET In crisis
OF domestic politics and foreign policies Is gen.
orally accepted by the English press as con-
elusive demonstration Of the fatal instability
Of republican institutions In France. II would
be interesting to discover how many times this
melancholy conclusion has been deliberately
reached by English observers since the Third
Republic was established Probably 1t has been
as often as once in nine months. for that is the
average term OF the French Premiership since
the overthrow OF the Second Empire At least
once a year there is Cabinet crisis and there
are gloomy Vaccinations OF impending revou-
ton: but Invariably a new Ministry is formed
and the Republic stands. English observers
ought by this time TO be discouraged by the In
creasing volume Of their unfufed prophecy
respecting the trend Of political tendencies
across the Channel but whenever there is
Ministerial upheaval they again shake their
heads ominously and forecast the speedy disso-
luton Of the French Republic.
II English observers were not so insular in
their preconceptlons and prejudces they would
nerceive that Cabinet government In France 10
something entirely different from Cabinet gov
ernment in their own United Kingdom. II cam
not he denied that the Premiership In France
has been systematically degraded during the
last twenty seven years, which have witnessed
the rise and fall Of no fewer than thirty-six
Ministries This fact loses, however. much ~
its significance when II is remembered that the
Premiership Is not distnctiVely republican
institution either in France or anywhere else.
There were no Premiers during the storm and
stress Of the first French Republic There were
committees Of safety and terrorist dictatos
when the National Convention was nor omnpo-
tent. The Premiership instead Of being republic
can in it's origin was introduced by bourbon
sovereign after the Restoration. II was Louis
XVIII who placed Premier IN the chlei seat
81 a constitutional Ministry II was reac-
tionary Premier who dragged Charles INTO
the abyss Of revolution. II was under LOUIS
Philippe that a determined effort was mace ny
G.,,zot 10 transplant English Cabinet Govern
mont with the Premiership TO French SOIL Ins
deliberate attempt ended in revolution 'nder
tho Second Empire the system was relaxed
There were nominal Premers, but the ministers
u.ere nersonal representatives OF a sovereign.
wbo amused himself by deceivng them when he
did not find It convenient to trust them
THE PREMIERSHIP.
The Premier's office. which was unknown
under the First and Second Republics was NOT
Immediately revived when the SECOND hmpf'
went down President Theirs acted az presiuehe
OF the Council OF Ministers, was his own premier
and leader OF the Assembly. and went ou' u
office like an English Prime Minister "hen
there was a legislative majority az ASt MIN
With him passed away the anomaly OF r'es'-
Dental Premiership Marshal MacMahoh WAY
unable to effect a reconciliation OF the h'o"-
archical factions and to restore either hihs OF
Emperor; but he brought back the frem'efsn'p
as a Bourbon institution. following the lines OK
Louis XVIII and Charles rather than 'hose Ok
ou,s pb,Iinpe and ending with minority
Ministry under a new Pognac. IL was NOT un
,u president Grfvv's accession TO office in lS'3
that the unmpeded development OF repuo'ca"
institutions began, and during the last '"e"S
Ear. there has been an uninterrupted decline
~ the political influence OF the Premiership ana
Of the collective power OF the Ministry.
The Premiership apart from its monarchica'
origin in France Is. indeed, an anomaly "h'c"
Ga not found In the American and other repuo-
,can commemorative. where the Executive Au-
rn,nistration is directed by president ana 's
independent of legislative control. only ohc7
during the history OF France has there oeen -
close approach to Cabinet government rs " -
now found In operation in England. mat "as
during the reign OF Louis Philippe. ohder 'iio
rb,rd Repubic there has been compromise
rsfi
American systems. The Presidency has IN
creased and the Premiership has oeclheo III
no,,t,cal authority. The Chamber OF Deputies
has sought to supervise the details OF executive
administration by means OF committees. ana
has converted the Premier into a head clerk.
Ministers have been subjected to system OF
legislative administrative control which is I'M
known in the United States They have not
heen the leading men Of the party In power. as
=, England and there have been constant at
tennis 10 undermine their collective authority.
Several times the Chamber Of Deputies has tried
70 dismiss from office nn individual Minister
without overturning the Ministry as whole;
and in this weeks crisis the Deputies we're IN
sympathy with the Minister Of War. who offered
his resignation from the tribune without con-
sulting the Premier and his colleagues
The English critic commenting upon these
frequent Ministerial upheayas and the evident
lack OF collective responsibility on the part OF
the Cabinet headed by the Premier can per-
ceive nothing but political dsintegration and
chaos In French public life. IL the English
Cabinet system be essential IN the successful
operation OF republican institutions either IN
France or in America. he Is right In his Juds-
ment The Premier is faulty. Certainly inc
American Commonwealth exists without CAD
met Government OF the Er"lish type, and II -
equally clear that. far from attempting to adapt
that system TO the requirements Of the RepunHc'
the French people during the last twenty years
have dealt with II an anomaly forced upon
them by reactionary constitution makers. ITO
English Cabinet system is not reproduced III
France, but It does not follow that revolution
Is impending. and that the nation will speedily
have to choose between a restoration OF mon-
archy and the establishment OF military dc
tatorship. The American Presidential system.
with the independence OF the Executive Admin
istration as it's fundamental principle. does not
exist In France; but II would be illogical 10
conclude that In consequence Of this detaut