The times., 1899-02-20
Sham Popular Institutions.

Those of our friends and readers who
may have been disposed to criticise The
Times for its lack of hysterical enthusiasm
for the government and political leaders of
our sister Republic" France, would do
well to carefully ponder the detailed ac-
count of the scenes in the French leglsla-
tive assembly during the balloting for a
President 10 succeed the late NJ, Faure
Like a good many other things in
France, the constitutional provisions gov
erning the function were excellent On
the occurrence of vacancy in the presi-
Dental Office, the Senate and House Of
Deputies must meet in Congress at once
and proceed 10 ballot, debate being abso-
lutely prohibited. That was the theory,
but the practice was quite different
thing. 1t was the embarrassing duty of
VI. Loubet, President of the Senate, him
self the most prominent candidate, TO pre-
side on the occasion. One would suppose
that in a sane and sober body that fact
alone would have given him immunity
from public insult 1t did not In spite
of rule and law, the proceedings had hard
ly commenced when the unspeakable Jew
batting Deroulede attempted to harangue
the assemblage and vituperate its presiding
officer. In this action Deroulede was sec
onded by others of his iIk and enthusias-
tically acclaimed by a crazy mob of anti
Dreyfusards among the members
If this were the only instance of such
conduct in the French Parliament, it
might perhaps, be overlooked as a pain
full but abnormal incident. Unfortunately
1t is the common practice for the grave
and reverend seigneurs of France, under the
present regime, to call each other liars, TO
throw books and inkstands around, and to
engage in general rough and tumble fights
on the floor II is so often necessary tc
drag speakers from the tribune by force
on account of unparliamentary. abusive
and disgraceful language, that the thing
has come 10 be considered quite a matter
Of course.
The conditions existing In the French
Parliament are but the reflex of conditions
throughout the body polite. The lions
skin Of popular institutions is neither thick
| nor wide enough 10 cover from any eyes
/ the inhabiting asE of a State dominated by
! a cotcrie Of geInsh. corrupt. bigoted
! swashbucklers. depending for power upon
appeal to the worst prejudices and passions
/ Of the lowest classes in the French capital
/ If any intelligent student Of affairs evel
entertained the remotest hope for the per
petuity of republican government II
/ France, il must have been badly shattered
/ by Bouangerism and totally effaced by tn.
homicidal insanity developed blythe Drey,
fus Outrage.
! Much as we love free institutions, ant
= believe in the right of self government as
| inherent among people capable of it, We
! are reluctantly compelled to conclude tha
the French people are not far enough ad'
tice, and humanity to flt them for anything
OF the kind. Their Republic" has beer
never anything better than roaring
farce, under the stage management of 4;
rotten military cabal. 1t were better fo
their country and themselves If they wer'
placed under the firm hand of some master
capable of forcing them to respect the civi
rights of citizens. and to do equity one t,
another.
Compared with France. the constitution
al monarchies of Sweden and Holland ar,
democracies, and the first named miser
able despotism, as far as the people with
in their several jurisdictions are con
cerned. We leave England out of tn