Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-19
Mrs. Emily Crawford Re-
views the Situation.
HER ESTIMATE OF M. lOUBET
Stcndy and Sturdy fn Character -
Sketch or His PbiiticaI career
Tho Panama Scandal Intimate
with Carnot-No Connection with
Drcyfusism-IIowD upuy's Chances
Were Wrecked,

(Copyrighted,l 1899. the Associated Press
Paris. Feb. 1S.-This election, by
single ballot, and BY Republicans only.
is the greatest Republican victory since
Grevy's walk over the course.
The new President comes from the
part of France where the Roman power
lasted lorgest-namely. Marsanna, in
the Department OF Drome. He gives the
impression of remote Latin origin. and
looks to be a solid. practical man, VINO
sees the facts of life just as they are.
AS president of the Senate he has had
official and other experience that Will
be useful to him as Presiden. OF the
Republic. but he is essentially n plain,
middle class man. whose mind was
sharpened by his practice at the bar in
the provincial town of Montelimar in
the south of France. He is there most
popular, and evry one at Montelimar
counts himself personal friend of
I-oubet, who as mayor, county council
Tor, deputy and Senator, always acted
as the servant of the public. obliging
to his neighbours he was accessible as
was Grant or Lincoln, and not less UNI
pretending.
E>-Alp -hNl , ltlp1
His thick set figure. massive and
somewhat Roman. though homely head,
indicates q. steady, sturdy character,
who can nail his colors 10 the mast. but
only fights when there is good occasion.
He belonged, under the empire, to the
Republican party. then calling itself
Liberal In 1870 he threw himself into
the national defence current and stood
by Gambetta, who was elected county
councillor in 1871, then mayor and in
1876 was sent TO the Chamber or Depu-
ties where he sat between NJ Henry
and MARITIME. the historian. Accepting
Theirs leadership. but ravoring the,
scheme to declare Grevy. his nolitical
heir and to reconcile Gambetta With
BOTH he seemed to bide his time, and
was in no hurry to push forward.
MacMahon's government gave him
prominence In Diminishing him from tho
mayoralty OF Mouteliinar in 1877. thus
exasperating the Drome Republicans.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
NJ. Loubet at the legislative elections
! in 1877 was triumlCantly returned
His subsequent candidatures were not
| opposed and in 1885 he was returned by
Drome rs Senator. In all these
years he was a useful Deputy, chiefly
working in the committees and speak
ing little. He was an intimate friend
| of Senator Carnot and Of Tirard and
in lSSS the latter appointed him Min
I
city he carried out a scheme ~ con-
vcy the sewage OF Paris into the ST.
Germain forest.
BENEATH PANAMA SCANDAL
President Sadi Carnot asked I.oubet
in 1892 to form Il Cabinet. bur 1t fell
under the weight of the Panama scan
dal. in which some members, albeit not
Loubet. were implicated. This admin
| istration was marked by the mission OF
Il ,f..s,I
stadt and the visit of the Court OF Rus
sin TO the flagship Magenta.
NJ. Loubet was personally innocent OF
Panamasm. but like MIN. Carnot and
Brisson he thought the sheltering of the
accused eXpcdient. He had never since
filed other offices save the presidency
of the Senate, TO which he was first
elected in 1896.
INTIMATE WITH CARNOT.
lie belonged to NJ. Carnot's inner
most circle and his wife was Nine.
Carnots best friend The President is
thoroughly domestic and dislikes snowy
society. He likes To spend his time at
home and he is Il great reader. He Isl
not rich. nor does he covct wealth ana
honors. He is strong IN financial uues-
lions. For many years he lived in an
unpretentious Hat and dined off a White
oil cloth instead of a table cloth His
hands. iiguratively speaking, are clean:
hut his beard and clothes are untidy.
thus contrasting With the late Presi-
dent.
NJ. Loubet. for having formerly,
when Premier. sent jointly with the
Foreign Secretary. NJ. Ribot, Admiral
Gervais to Cronstadt. is persona grata
to Russia.
For three years as Speaker of the
senate he lived in the palace of the
Petit Luxembourg. in much the same
style as the President lives at WASH
ington.