Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09
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Bourgeois is called the cnarmer Of
French politics. While still barrister's
clerk he 80 charmed the minister OF pub
lie works OF the time that he took him
from the barrister and made him chief of
department. On the historic 18th of May
chief. and he so charmed every one that
after the elections they sent him to the
Marine as ub-prefect OF Reims. From
Marine he passed to the Tarn. where his Sc
ductfve qualities were exercised on Sena-
tor Barley. Keep your eye on Barley.
The young charmer rose in the hierarchy
like a rocket In 1888 the Marine elected
him deputy. At once Floauet took him as
secretary Of state for the interior. Two
years later Barley was able to slip him
in as minister.
called luck. The then minister of the in
terror. Constans, was quarreling with the
prime minister over q place. We shall be
criticised" said the prime minister finally
in council chamber.
1T hope sop' murmured Constans.
Probably you will start the criticism?''
sneered the prime minister.
II am tired of the impertinences of the
premier! cried Constans. rising; Il resign!
How Bourgeois Was Chosen.
The premier was troubled. "Constans
thinks we can't get on without him." he
said therefore we must replace him at
once"
Take Bourgeois and you will gain a
number OF radicals suggested Senator
Barley. who was minister of marine. And
1t was done; and two weeks later that
premier fell but Bourgeois stayed and be-
came minister of public instruction. And
so on. The brilliance of the man is neither
binding nor scorching, but mild and Sc
rene effulgence. 1t Is mind OF hlgh cui-
ture, given to unusual curiosittes. e.g., ori-
entail languages and amateur sculpture He
would make an intellectual and artistic
president, rather contemplative than active.
kind of Partisan Marcus Aurelius.
French parliamentary jfu-Jtsu. Whlch nas
never yet so much as strained muscle for
this charmer. will probably see that ne
does not become president, notwithstand
ing And this is why the knowing look
around for the dark horse.
There is q dark horse.
It is not Paul Deschene1, who would make
an elegant and decorative young president
but perhaps a trifie too Independent:
Frenchmen may be radicals. out the most
advanced have not altogether cut loose
from all reverence of old ways. NOW, Paul
Deschenel on the occasion of his recent
marriage, broke through settled ways IN d
manner to alarm even French socialist
he wore a frock coat and striped pants III
stead Of evening dress!
Nor is It the "austere Brisson." He has
the reputation of a kill-joy, KIND OF
Egyptian head to be shown at feasts to re-
mind men that flesh Is grass. Should ne
become president he certainly would not
invite the Quat'z-Arts Ball to the Eiysee.
He would help Senator Beranger purge the
Paris streets of 'Frenchy coioreo plctuI.
papers; and the Censure would be stirreo
up to forbid many a "Frenchy' play
M. Brisson is grave and even morose. Hut
he has a conscience; and 1t must not be
forgotten that it was Brissons conscience
that started the Dreyfus affair.
The Ozark Horse"
The dark horse is a bird of different plu-
mage He is none other than that Deputy
Sarrien who as president Of the radical
group, was able only the other day to dc
tate from behind the scenes the whole
transformation of the Rouvier ministry. The
administration would have had to change
unless a certain candidate OF. Sarrlen was
made minister of the interior!
What is that minister of the interior?
Why, he Is Just the minister who will pre-
side over the coming elections of deputies.
Thus he holds club over them all. There
is a Warwick with his own private war
wick in his pocket.
While disclaiming any desire to use pres
sure on the coming elections OF deputies,
Sarrien proclaims that his group VIII not
permit an administration to exercise any
pressure on 1t. There Is a Warwick for
you, and so dangerous that. while he Is, all
right, the dark horse, there now seems to
be a darker!
1t is not Berteaux, the late minister of
war who lost his small presidential boom
the other day by throwing up his portfolio
in fit OF temper. Besides, he is mil
lionaire stock exchange dignitary; and they
say he might make the bourse pulsate. 1t
is not Peytral, one-time minister, cne-time
vice president of the senate, very respected.
OF ancient and solid convictions. highly
courteous French gentleman VINO has been
thirty years In politics without making
single enemy.
No, it is becoming evident that TO each
likely candidate there are so many real OBJ
choose this one or that, no matter who, for
president Therefore, in spite of his de-
clared desire and fixed intention to quit
place and power, and to make life possible
in the conflict Of irreconcilaole interests,
President Loubet may at the last moment
sacrifice himsef-and have hfmselfIelected
for another seven years as president! And
here in France people are saying that some
thing similar, yet, OH how different, may
happen in America.
STERLING HELLO.