New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
PARIS.
INTEREST IN THE DEBATE OK THE AS
SOCIATIONS BILL.
REACTIONARY SPEAKERS AND WRITERS
THE MOST VIOLENTLY. DESCHANELS
COMMAND OF THE CHAMBER.

THE MOST VIOLENTLY. DEsCHANELS
COMMAND OF THE CHAMBER.
Copyright; 1901: BY The New-Iork Trbune)
IBY THE TRIBUNEl
Paris, Jan. 19-The debate on the Associations
bill is keenly watched by foreign Ambassadors
for it has pitted against each other the two
bitterest passions in France-the passion of those
bent on subverting and the passion Of those bent
On upholding religious tutelage-and renews in
an acute form the struggle which has been going
on in this country ever since the French Revo-
tuition. The bill, according to its supporters,
means the enfranchisement Of human reason;
according to its opponents it is revolt against
divine reason. Each orator cites precedents and
selects weapons from an arsenal of parhamen-
tary debates on the same subject in the struggle
which has lasted for generations. The Nation
alist and reactionary press publishes infiamma-
tory articles in the hope of stirring the public
into making some grand demonstration against
the present regime. The "Croix' publishes
fac-simile of the Saviour on the Cross, beneath
which is the motto "Adveniat Regnum Tuum,
and the inscription Nous Vous Reconnaissons
CONNIE Notre Souverain Seigneur ct Maitre
ct CONNIE Chef Supreme de la Patrie Fran
caise" The ''Gaulois' publishes illus
trated supplement with a narrowing pict-
ure Of the execution Of Louis XVI in the
Place de Ia Concorde, and points out that
the anniversary of this 'atrocious crime is
January 21, the date on which, by singular CO.
incidence the supporters of the Associations bill
hope that it will be voted by the Chamber NM.
Drumont Rochefort and Paul de Cassagnac
have dipped their pens in most venomous ink;
but notwithstanding the gravity of the debate
the public at large. that is to say, typical
Frenchmen whom one meets in the street the
cafes places Of business or the theatres, regard
the parliamentary tempest with unusual calm
ness and complacenCy. The popular feeling is
that the present discussion cannot put an end
TO the deep seated antagonism which exists, that
the bil even if it is passed in more or less modi-
fed form. viii merely give the State new powers
and will encounter that sullen resistance in its
execution which usually ends by paralyzing the
efforts Of the authorities.
Meanwhile the Palais Bourbon has become a
place Of fashionable gathering suggestive of a
select first night at the Theatre Francais. Great
ladies from the Faubourg Saint Germain line the
spectators gallery in expectation of witnessing
startling events. or even a coup d'etat; but
everything is Of an academic character, and not
the orators. but N. Paul Deschanel. president OF
the Chamber. is thus far the hero of the parlia-
mentary battle, there being just enough Incl
dents to enliven the session For instance. VI.
Massabuau an anti-Semite Deputy. having been
apostrophized by the President exclaimed petu-
lantiy: Il didn't say anything; I didn't do any
thing, and I don't understand why l am called
to order" Why, your behavior is simply in
tolerable" resumed NJ. DeschaneL You are
everywhere in the house at once; now you are
at the extreme Right, at the extreme Left;
then you appear in the Centre. Wherever you
happen to be you always disturb everybody"
During the debate NJ. Deschanel every now and
then rings the Speakers bell leans forward in
q graceful attitude enhanced by the smart and
irreproachable cut of his evening dress coat, the
wearing Of which no matter at what hour the
session takes place, is required by the regula-
tions Of the Chamber. and exclaims addressing
the Right in general and NJ. Paul de Cassagnac
in particular Cor far the reactionary mem
bers have been far more obstreperous and noisy
than the Socialists or Radicals): Gentlemen, I
implore you to accustom yourselves to listen to
expressions Of opinion with which you do not
agree"
During the warm rainy weather of the week
there has been no lack of indoor amusements in
the American colony. Among those present at
the luncheon given by Mr. and Mrs William
Tiffany 10 Mr.. and Mrs Julian Story, on the oc-
casion of Mr- Storys decoration with the Cross
Of the Legion OF Honor, were Mr.. and Mrs
Henry Burnham Mr.. and Mrs Karrick Riggs
and Mrs. Frederick Sharon Yesterday Mr. and
Mrs. Luckermeyer gave a small dinner 10 a
few friends Among the afternoon receptions
are those given by Mrs. Charles Il. Colburn and
Miss Coiburn, by MI and Mrs Charles H Glib
son, by Mr.. and Mrs. George Saint Amant, by
Mr.. and Mrs Humphreys Johnston, by Mr. and
Mrs. f. L. Weeks. musical receptions by the
-