New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-25


TO an Anglo-saxon audience. He has laid aside
the old-fashioned rhetorical bombast OF Berryer
Jules Favre. and even Of Gambetta and Of Cas-
telar. The chief sources Of his power and OF his
charm are in his "sangfrod" his imperturbable
temper his perfect urbanity. his close-knit logic
and, above all. in his marvellous command OF
simple, precise language, which make all his
addresses masterpieces OF clear. elegant and
impressive style. He did not display at that
time merely his oratorical power. His vgor
readiness and unfang energy in his way Of
dealing with disorderly mobs or street Drawers
established his reputation as hinistre
pogne." as the French style II.
But beyond this. his name remains attached
10 one of the most liberal and progressive bills
passed in behalf OF the working people during
the last twenty years, namely. the Law on the
Syndicate professionals" Of 1884, which may
be called the magma charta Of the French labor
unions. and which will long rebound to his
credit. because he supported it, both in the
Chamber and in the Senate, with great skill and
magnificent eloquence.
WALDECK- ROUSSEAU AS LAWYER.
Jules Ferrys Ministry overthrown in
March. 1885. Waldeck- Rousseau from that time
on retired almost entirely from active politics.
Being with Jules Ferry the most prominent and
also the most outspoken member Of the Cabi-
net. he was enveloped in the same unpopularity
that struck his chief. He became weary Of
politics. and, while reelected 10 the Legislature
QSS5-S9). he kept silent, taking the floor but
twice at the urgent request OF his friends wit
Messing with sorrow and disgust the Boulangist
masquerade, and later on the troubles which
overlook many OF his politi al friends. who
were more or less touched by the scandals OF
Panama. He had returned TO the bar which he
liked more than anything else where he had
won his first laurels. and where he was to win
still more glorious ones At the election OF 1889
he not a candidate, and perhaps would
not have been elected his department being
poisoned with Boulangism.
His success Is a lawyer was enough to con-
sole him. At one bound he had leaped TO the
front rank OF the Paris bar. which has always
been famous for its great orators. For ten
years he has been a prominent actor in all the
most important cases making an income Of
several hundred thousand francs year. He has
been the counsel Of one Of the partners Of Secre-
tan in the great copper crash OF 1891; OF ex-
Minister Burdeau in his libel suit against Dru-
mont Of young Lebaudy the millionaire sugar
man, for whom his family wanted a guardian
appointed.
His most sensational case was the Panama
trial where he defended Elffel ! we'll remem-
Der that long and powerful address. 1t lasted
two days and he ended with startling perora-
| ton. met with great applause by the audience
in which he urged the judges not 10 condemn
such men De Lesseps and Eiffel. whose works
had done much for the credit Of their coun-
try. and who as he put IT, had "fait a la grande
blessee de 1870 Iaum6ne dun peu de gloire.
These words have not been forgotten nor for
l~gv.a, ~ nd he has M
been charged already by the Paris Nationalist
and anti-Semitc mob with being supporter
of the Panamists" while the Socialists will at
tack him as an advocate Of the trusts-to use
| the American word. The good faith OF politi-
cal parties goes far enough in France. as
elsewhere TO reproach a lawyer with the crimes
of his clients!
Waldeck- Rousseau not anxious to re-
enter public life He likes nothing more than
the Sale des Pas Perdus." OF the Palace OF
| Justice and he feels nowhere else much at
! ease in the courtroOms. either in Paris or In
| the many provincial cities where he is often
called upon to speak. He takes part mostly in
civil cases Each Of his addresses is a treat
for the judges. for the audience and for the
other lawyers. He talks in a quiet and moderate
tone without gestures or redhot passion. al
ways relieving the somewhat dreary argument
| by little lively banter. and enlivening the
| questions issue by his broad and philosophi-
cal reflections, which show both his experience
of craftsmanship and the wide culture OF his
mind.
HE RENTERS POLITICS.
But his political friends regretted TO see all
these marvellous gifts, this high capacity. this
| long experience. and. above all, this wel-known
shrewdness and courage lost TO their party.
Many attempts were made. without success 10
| ", he las
| he yielded to the pressure. and in the fall OF
1894, when. by an almost unanimous vote,
| seat in the Senate for the Department Of the
| Loire was offered him, he accepted It,
| From that time although he continued plead
| ing in the courts. he no longer seemed in
| different 10 the interests OF his party He did
not take the floor in the Senate, but he more
| than once presided over great meetings. ex-
pressing in powerful speeches the feelings Of
| his party against both Socialism and reaction,
| accusing the Socialists especially Of "intoxicat-
| ing the people with the alcohol OF false prom
ises" and asserting that inequality is a natural
| law and not matter of civilization" He be-
gan also to take an active share in the organi-
cation Of the "Progressist party" and founded
the Great Republican Club. after the pattern
| Of the American and English institutions. 1t is
almost a new feature in French political
! life.
| In 1895 when Casinir Perier resigned. the
| Opportunists wanted him 10 accept the Presi-
| dency But Radicals and Socialists strongly
| opposed him. and he was besides. too great an
| orator and a statesman to be fitted for such
| office. which requires man less outspoken,
| sucb as that spectacular fgurehead Felix Faure.
| None of his admirers seriously regretted his
| failure knowing that he would soon be needed
| for a more active and important post.
| Too cautious a man 10 compromise the party
! which he represents in the savage battles OF
! rho Dreyfus crisis Waldeck-Rousseau was, OF
! course, too sound and too upright not TO FAVOR
! revision He had from the beginning been more
| or less mixed up in the case, and would have
! hAen Dreyfus's counsel but for his political
| nnsitinn which be could not impair. But ne