New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-25
FRANCES NEW PREMIER.
wALDECK- RoUssEAU AS AN ORATOR
AND AS A STATESMAN.


81. FRENCH JOURNALISTS ESTIMATE OF THE
STRONG MAN NOW AT THE HELM-THE
RIGHT MAN FOR CRISIS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: NJ Poincare's failure 70 form a Ministry
n no longer TO be regretted. since M waldeck-
Rousseau has undertaken al last. the heavy
burden OF the Premiership.
For years Waldeck- Rousseau has been looked
upon as a strong man in reserve for a crisis
The crisis being at hand and the political situa-
ton seeming more entangled and troublesome
than ever II is no wonder that the French Re-
publicans should have exerted so strong a pres
sure on him. and decided him TO step forward
and take the directing of the party
NJ Waldeck-Rousseau is not merely of
the leading figures in the French Parliament
He is one of its most attractive and fascinating
personalities. Some do not like him on account
OF his cold correctness. But there is no one
who fails 10 bow before his authority and TO
acknowledge his remarkable qualities Of states
nanship and Of eoquence. Nobody is surer to
have hearing in any audience. even among his
most incorporating opponents, because there
is no one more charming 10 listen to- who means
more seriously what he says.
Since the death Of Gambetta and Jules Ferry
Waldeck- Rousseau. who their disciple and
their friend, is looked upon by his followers, as
well as his foes. as their successor and as their
only legitimate legatee. 1t will seem 20 many
that almost for the first time since Ferry
passed away. France has Prime Minister who
bears comparison with any other statesman in
ANY other country.
wALDECK- ROUssEAU's BRILLIANT DEBUT
Twenty years ago. when Waldeck- Rousseau
entered politics. he the spoiled child OF the
Republican party. His rapid success was one
o. the most conspicuous features Of that time.
When he was chosen by Gambetta as Minister
he was hardly thirty. and was the youngest
among the chiefs Of the new Government. who
had all begun their career during the last years
OF the second empire. He had been sent TO the
Chamber OF Deputies by the district Of Rennes.
IN BRITTANY in 1879 He was unknown 10 the
pubic at large; but in Brittany. where his
father was lawyer Of high standing and an old
Republican Of lS4S ne had already marked
himself out as a practised orator. and once, in
a case where he pleaded against one Of the most
famous lawyers Of the Rennos bar. his opponent
could not help hailing the young beginner as
speaker Of great promise
In the Chamber OF Deputies he came up 10
and even surpassed the expectations of his
friends He enlisted al once among Gambetta 5
followers and was known 10 be the great
orators PIT disciple and his so-caled "BenJa-
min" Gambetta, Of course knew how TO CT pose
his disciples He won't 10 surround himself
with Young men whom he trained for the service
Of the republic Never did he prove shrewder
in his judgment than when he marked out
Waldeck- Rousseau as his future lieutenant
Nothing indeed, more striking and
seemed. at first glance. more contradictory than
the affection Of the fiery. impressive and exu-
berant Southerner for that young elegant self
possessed and phlegmatic Northerner, whose cor
rectness and distinction Of manner contrasted
so wildly with Gambettas commonplace ia
miliarity. But the great orator was not so i'm
pulsve a man as he seemed sometimes 10 be.
and ne knew how 10 appreciate those qualities
in which ne himself was the most deficient
Hardly a year after he entered the Parlia-
rneni Waldeek- Rousseau had put himself in the
front rank Of political orators. OF him, too, may
well be said He to make a speech and sat
down famous" Never before had a young
Deputy displayed a greater ease and a greater
experience on the floor. II was during the
course OF great discussion the reform OF the
magistracy, a question which aroused many
passions Gambetta was at that time the
Speaker OF the House. When he his BenJa-
min rising 10 his feet for his maiden speech he
is reported 10 have leaned over his desk. watch
ing him with attention and even anxiety But
after he had listened TO the first phrases and
had perceived both the easy compOsure and the
fluent delivery of the orator. he sat down al
once relieved and smiling with content. The
debutsnt proved already master. A few
months later when Gambetta called upon
TO form his famous great Ministry" Waldeck-
Rousseau ore OF the first Ministers he took
and intrusted with the most delicate depart
he
Of the Interior.
TWICE MINISTER
Waldeck- Rousseau has twice held the port
folio OF Interior three months in Gambettas
Ministry. and two years from 1883 10 1885 under
the leadership OF Jules Ferry. He rose both
times 10 the height Of his new opportunities.
md although the youngest. he proved the most
brilliant member of the Government
One Of his first acts during his ministry in
1881 was 10 send a circular to the projects, in
which he stated that he would henceforth pay
no attention TO the recommendations by the
politicians OF candidates for Office, and that all
Office holders were to be judged by their merit
end fidelity and not by their political pull "
Nothing could sound holder in a country where
recommendation has long been a great nuisance,
end where Office holders always have looked tow
ard their representatives for their advancement.
Both Office holders and Deputies resented so
revolutionary a change in their habits. The
newspapers hailed the courage Of the young
Minister but when Gambetta. some time later,
needed the support Of the Deputies. he failed TO
find H. and many believe that what they re-
sented the most in Gambetta's policy was
the circular Of Waldeck- Rousseau.
This beginning enough 70 show OF what
stuff the young Breton was made Thus Jules
Ferry did not have 10 look long for Minister
Of Interior in his Ministry. and Waldeck-Rous-
seau was once more chosen. His task was not
always an easy one. 1t was upon him that the
brunt of the battle fell during the two years IN