The Washington herald., 1909-11-07
BY EX-ATTACHE.

Even republics are apt TO resent an ex-
cessive display by their chief magistrate
Of that democratic simplicity which here
IN America is described as Jenersonian.
This is especially the case in France,
where the people, no matter how averse
they may be TO monarchical forms OF
COVE rnment. nevertheless attach impOr-
lance 10 absolute correctness I'm rlatters
OF appearance. manner. and environment
on the pSrt Of their elected ruler, particU-
larry when he happens to be brought into
contact officially with foreign sovereigns.
President Fallieres does not fulfill their
requirements in this respect. and al
though from constitutional point of
view he IS irreproachable and his char
acter is blameless, yet he is becoming so
unpopular that II is doubtful whether he
will finish his term. which under normal
circumstances would come 70 a close in
February, lSl3-that is 20 say. little over
three years hence.
Glad to Quit office.
According to some he will resign OF his
own accord. IN disgust at his failure 20
content his fellow-citlzens. Others are OF
the opinion that he will be forced 10 sur
render the Presidency against his will
But one thing about which people seem
20 be pretty generally agreed IS that he
viii not serve out his term and that an
I other Presidential election may he looked
for early next year.
No crimes are laid al the door OF Ar
mand Fallicrcs. no charges which would
warrant his Impeachment In fact, he has
been more bliudly obedient 90 the spirit
and 90 the letter OF the constitution than
any Of his predecessors since the fail OF
the empire Indeed, II IS generally admit
ted that he IS n very worthy bourgeois.
But Il is also argued that ne is untitled
for the lofty Office Of chief magistrate Of
the republic.
The faults ascribed 10 him are all Of a
more or less trivial character. No one Of
/ them taken singly is OF real Importance,
/ and yet when they are added together il
( IS easy to understand how they affect his
popularity 10 the extent OF rendering his
/ continuance IN Office a matter OF diff
/ Guilty.
Careless I'm Dress.
/ Thus. he IS extremely careless in dress
/ and always presents a rather nl-groomed
! appearance. 10 which the NJ OF his
clothes, the length OF his hair. the failure
/ TO keep his beard trimmed, and his pro-
/ uounced tendency 10 embonpoint all con-
/ tribute. President Loubet. although Of
! peasant origin, was the pink Of neatness.
/ Faure was a positive dandy.
The Inflated Sadi-CarROt. Jules Grevy.
| and Theirs all were distinguished for that
/
/ correctness Of manner for which the
/ French bourgeois OF the better class. par
\ ticularly II he happens to be a successful
/ lawyer or an eminent engineer. is con-
! spicuous.
/ AS for Marshal AfacMahcn, he was al
most always in his military uniform,
which suited him 10 perfection.
/ Fallieres, with HIS tousled hair and
| beard. his species OF Bohemian-artist tie,
I his invariably crumpled shirt, and his
! wr!nkled coat. presents a distinctly
/ slouchy aspect, which CRATES on the
/ nerves OF his fellow-citizens.
Not suited 90 station.
The manners Of FaHieres are IN keep
ing with his clothes. There Is a laisser
allez and good-natured abandon about
him which. typically Gascon, are very at
trect!ve with men in the ordinary sta
lions OF life. but which are somewhat out
o. place IN dignitaries OF the highest rank
in the state
IL is all very well for a business mar
70 be hail fellow well met lOud-vOiced
I hearty-laughed. ever ready 10 joke ant
20 slap his feIIow-men on the back. but
It does not seem 10 be quite fitting in tbs
I ruler OF a country which from tfrne i'm,
! memorial has been distinguished above
all others for the perfection OF its cour-
tesy and the elegance Of its manners
The French people feel this. more espe
cially when their excellent chief magis