The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-02-23
NEW PRESIDENT.
Riotous Scenes Attended the Election
ofM. Loubet in the Convention Hall.
NJ. Deroulede Drew a Revolver and Made
Threats - NJ. Loubet Said to His
Friends; eff You Love Ne,
Don't Vote for Me-"

hHis' reo' %V'-t rom an early hour
Saturday stations Of the railroad line.
leading to Versailles were crowded
with people gathered to witness tn,
departure Of the deputies and sena
tors. NJ. Deroulede arrived here by the
Lyons railroad and was met by mem
ters Of the Patriotic league.
Order prevailed at the stations,
where, to all appearances, there were
no special police precautions taken.
The first trains took an army OF tel
egraphers and telephonists 70 Yer
sailles, where the town hall was dec
GRATED with flags and draped with
Grape. The lamps were lighted and
veiled with Grape.
The members of the national assem-
bly,, namely, the senator's and equities
began TO assemble at 10 o'clock and TO
select their seats.
NJ. Loubet, president of the senate
and presiding officer. arrived in car
riage at 10 o'clock. Friends surround
ed him when he entered the gallery of
busts, and he said: "If you love me
hope you won't vote for me-"
Soon the scene became animated.
Crowds of people surrounded the doors
watching the arrival of the members
The palace was closed to the public.
Various political groups held meet
ings at noon and NJ. Cochcry announced
that NJ. Melinc had definitely with
drawn his candidacy. The nationalists
and anti-Semites decided not to vote
for NJ. Loubet.
The assembly met at l o'clock. VI.
Loubet declared the sitting open. amid
the applause of the leftists. during
which NJ. Loubet proceeded to draw for
tellers.
In accordance with custom. the letter
of the alphabet at which the calling
of the roll should begin, was drawn by
lot. The letter d appeared, whereat
there was n groan and shout of
"Dreyfus."
The calm which prevailed when the
meeting began did not last long. Dur
ing the proceedings Paul Deroulde be-
gan yelling at NJ. Loubet, denouncing
him as a "Panamist," the gallery at
the same time answering with shouts
OF Down with the Jesuits," viva la
France" etc. The election then be-
came the most riotous in the history
of the third republic. An attempt was
made to eject Derouldc from the
tribune, but he drew revolver and
threatened to shoot any one who touch
ed him.
Mr.. Drumont, anti-Semite, represent
ing in the chamber the first division OF
Algiers also attempted to speak. and
great commotion followed, during
which cries of down with anarchy"
we're raised
In the meantime the voting contin-
led, and at 2:40 p. ~. the ballot was
While the checking was
n progress the members Of the assem-
)ly left the hall and assembled in the
ralleries and corridors, where they
discussed the chances of the election.
NJ. Mcline loudly announced that he
lad voted for VI. Loubet.
NJ. Loubet received 4S3 votes against
20 votes east for NJ. Meline.
While in the tribune VI. Dcroulede
houted: The president of the repub-
c ought to be elected by the people
will not vote"
Then turning to NJ. Loubet NJ. De-
Guide cried: "Do you deny what NJ.
'e Beaurepaire has written?'
To this NJ. Loubet replied: II am not
allied on to answer you"
NJ. Deroulede retortcd: "Iknow what |
on are
Apart from the Dcroulede incident I
lie voting passed off quietly. The
embefs returned to their seats after I
)ting and chatted on the events of the t
~. /
The progressionists insisted on vot- L
g for NJ. Meline. although he had b
ithdrawn his candidature in favor Of a
d. Loubet, which explains the vote I
st for him. IL
The votes not given to NJ. Loubct or k
Meline were divided between NJ.
.vaignac, Gen. lamont, Gen. Saussier l.
ID others NJ. Meline received an n
alton when he voted. p