Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-04-17
lFRENCHMAN
/ ON POLITICS
SOME GLlMPSEs At THE PoLlTI.
CAL GAME IN IA BELLE
FRANCE,

one OF the things that aStOnlShed
me more on my arrival in Massachu-
sets was to notice the interest which
the American society takes in French
affairs. l may say that my wonder
increased when l found that the same
interest among the people of Spokane,
although so remote from my native
country. l have been asked many
questions already about our presidents
and politics. When somebody is look
ing at me in particular way | antici-
pate the wonted questions:
you are Frenchman, aren' t
you?"
Yes
How do you pronounce-let me
SEQ
Chauffeur"
Eyes, the fellow on the automo
bile?'
well, sho-fir.''
"And your new president?'
''He is chauffeur, too"
Yes, but his Manner
"Fallieres.'' Fa "a like in fat OF
nearly so). Fa-lee-ere (ere as in the
expression ere long,.
The qualification of chauffeur, when
applied to a French president is not
an adequate one; chauffeur means a
man who puts fuel in the engine; a
French presidents duty is absolutely
the opposite he must be most careful
in taking the combustible out of the
political furnace, wherein there is al
ways too much coal.
Scene in a Tobacco Shop.
Exactly seven years ago, in Sois-
sons, on one damp and chilly morn
ing, on my way to the office, enter
ed, as usual. tobacco store to buy
a paper.
| found the tobacconist Sadder than
usual. OF course he was always sTd
because his daughter was courted BY
two lOvers-a cabman and notary's
clerk. The father loved the clerk, the
daughter preferred the cabman.
thought the cabman victoriou.
and l was stammering stupidity som'
words of deep felt sympathy whel
the brave man told me:
why, you don't know the new
from Paris?'
what news?" | inquired. 'Ha
Sarah Bernhar~lt caught cold?"
"Non, monsieur" he added. in sir
cere melancholy. president Fell
Faure died suddenly at 10 o'clock las
night. This time Dreyfus shall com
back-ah. monsieur, monsieur. i
what time do we live!'
Some days ago on one evening, a
entered the Lidgerwood car, the cor
sluctor showed me a paper with tn
photograph of our new president-N
Fallieres
do you know hm?" he inquired.
Not personally, but know hin
though
"What do you think of him."
Nothing at all. now"
"Why?"
Il don't see his collar His bear
covers it,"
We were alone in the car; then a
cid lady entered and the conductor
thinking probably that, as a Frenc
proverb runs, Il had spider in m
ceiling" took my fare, looked pitifull
on me and went to his wonted place.
Between that morning in a town {
northern France and this evening i
Lidgerwood, many events have tai
Ell place. Seven years ago Dreyfu
was at Devils island. He is now il
Paris. Russia, our glorious ally, wa
enjoying an enormous prestige; toda
the Muscovite bear is nursing hi
wounds by making new ones. Sever
years ago the rare Englishmen VIII,
yentured through France were yelle,
at, and we We're thinking of invad
ms perfidious Albion; today the GA
lie cock and the British leopard dea
with each other as sweethearts.
Seven years ago poor President 10,
bet, after his election at Versatile
was received in Paris by volleys of tt
I1dlOeS, DOileu pOldtoeS, DOileu eSS
and other missiles, without countir
the most stupendous insults Ever
body predicted that his president
would not last three months Alon
among all his predecessors, Presidel
Loubet has just left the Elysee pala'
after a successful administration
President Has Few Consultations.
1t may be said that the first ma
istrate of the French republic h;
very few consultations: the princip
ones are to receive 100000 evel
month and to hunt pheasants in II
old parks of the dethroned kings.
His main prerogative is to be i
suited pitilessly in all the papers
the opposition. Except Grevy, WI
was reelected for a second term, mol
OF our presidents had so far reacht
the end of his seven years. Pc
Grevy himself paid heavily for his I
election. Some months after he h;
begun his second term, it was disco
cred that his son-in- law, NJ. Wilso
was selling decorations and used f
his personal letters the stamps of Il