New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-29

forth in all her domestic concerns. One OF the
most prominent members of the French gov
eminent has always beneath his roof not only
his mother-in-law but her husband and also his
wife's sister, a widow, and her two children
He thus may truly be said to have married
whole family. but to all appearances the situa-
ton is entirely satisfactory. NJ Franco. the
sub-prefect, is, however, either less tractaole
than the Minister else his mother-in-law is
of another caIibre. The immediate result OF
the blow administered two months ago to his
wife was her departure to her mothers home in
Paris taking her children with her. and now
in addition to divorce proceedings NJ. Franco
has been relieved Of his functions in Joigny,
and has the office of inspector of the state
supported children at Pau.
NJ Franco is not taking his disgrace easily
At first he refused to leave the pleasant house
in Joigny which is the official residence of its
sub-prefect, and utterly declined to accept the
post at Pau, which carries with it LOO francs
a year less than the forfeited prefecture. The
new nominee has, however, taken up his func-
lions, and NJ. Franco has listened to reason and
removed his goods. The deputy for his ward
and the Mayor have warmly espoused his cause,
and the former will raise a question in the
Chamber shortly as to whether the Minister OF
the Interior is justified in thus Furnishing in his
official capacity a man who has done good work
in his three years of public service for a fault
committed in his private life.
The cause of the quarrel which has had such
T. disastrous effect upon NJ. Frances career
places Nine. Franco in a somewhat unamia BILE
light On the death of his mother, NJ Franco
and his brother arranged for their young, un-
married sister to make her home with each il
turn. Nine. Franco seems to have resented the
presence of the young girl under her roof, and
constant quarrels were the consequence 1t was
after one Of these vexatious disturbances that
NJ Franco interfered with much more force
than discretion, and his wife fed with her two
children, little girl of three years and boy
of fifteen months, and claims her divorce
If the family had been ordinary private one
the affair, like many others, would probably
have blown over and been forgotten in a few
days but as NJ. Franco remarked to friend
and sympathizer: When your mother-in-la~
happens to be the wife of a Senator possessed
of considerable influence at headquarters, she
is doubly a mother-in-law." And indeed, so
effectually did she interfere in her daughters
behalf that, urged by his friend Senator Rivet,
the Minister of the Interior has degraded the
sub-prefect.
Joigny is strongly Republican. and the late
sub-prefect, like the deputy belongs to the
same political party, which is also that prevail
ing in the present Cabinet. \ powerfully
signed manifesto has been sent up to the Home
Office, protesting against the action of the Min
lister. and the whole Auxerre division, of which
Jogny is the centre, is taking active part III
defending NJ. Franco. AS it happens the new
nominee is in a similar position to NJ. Franco
with respect to family influence inasmuch as
he is on the eve of marrying the daughter Of
the late Minister of Justice and Keeper of the
Seals. Thus the motheT-in-Iaw question, soon
to be thrashed out in parliament, has become an
issue in national politics. c. l. B.