Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24
MINISTRY.

less illustrious. The Seculo Tribuna and
Messaggero in turn attacked the premier
violently. Why had he not opened the
doors of the senate TO such men as the
philosopher. Roberto Ardigo. or the macs
tro Arrigo Boito, the popular author of
Meffstofie and of Nerone? The premier
had made a senator of the critic Bene
detto Groce, who had talent certainly. but
was only forty-four years of age There
was cry I'm the democratic press of
Italy Signor Sonnino was paying court to
clericalism! And the proof lay in the fact
that Ardigo, the Italian Renan. the mas
ter or Italian free thought, had been eX-
cluded.
To these grievances the Sonninians re-
piled that the premier had appointed two
members of the Giolittian left. two men,
Of the Lombardian right. These surely
were not Sonninians AS for the friends
of the celebrities, what right had they
to reproach Signor Sonnino with having
put aside Boito or Ardigo? Their repu
tation had been established these many
years. Why did not Signor Giolitti make
them senator's? Why? For the same
reason that decided Sgnor Sonnino:
They We're neither princes of royal blood
nor academieians. nor former deputies.
nor rich contributors to the funds. But
the Vita replied. citing the articles of
the statutes: THE eminent men who
have honored the country" Ardigo. Boito.
are they not eminent men? No, 1t seems
not, al ledSt IN senatorial right. ana LOT
the following reason:
During the sixty-two years that the
statute has been in vigor only seven
persons have been named
Seven under this rubric. They
a. are Aposti, Michele Am
Why ari. Gino Capponi. Fran
-A.n
Manzoni and Luigi Settembrini. To these
there must be added Sgnor Luigi Pastra.
another combatant for independence ap-
pointed by Signor Sonnino Then In
Jurisprudence there are reputed emf
nents' besides those who have served the
country by actions. Literature and art
count but for little. Verdi was senator.
but only because he paid 5000 francs
taxes; Carducci was member because
member of a provincial academy. Sig
norS Ardigo and Boito not filing any or
these conditions. how could they be APP
pointed?
The friends of the retired minister an
swer no The senate, too is the master
and must ratify or repudiate the choice
Of the king. which is the choice OF his
premier. The senate, it is no secret. is
conservative, and also very much given
to routine and difficult to move from its
way OF dong Things. 10 De the TNcIdH'
Pasteur or Victor Hugo Of Italy does
not suffice 1t is necessary to pay 1000
francs to the funds or be a member of
provincial academy.
Signor Sonnino. according to NJ.
Charmes found the same difficulty IN
causing his ministry to live for much
the same reason as did Foutenelle when
he had arrived at the age of 100. Signor
Sonnino's position, first. was paradox
cal and particularly painful for man
of his value. He had no majority In the
chamber and only subsisted by the toll
erance Of Signor Giolitti. In other words,
he was at the discretion Of his rival,
who could overthrow him at any mo-
ment Such situation might be &C
ceptable to secondrate man, but II
was intolerable to a man Of the ability
Of Signor Sonnino. Signor Giolitti would
doubtless have been appeased If his rival
had consented to remain and submit to
the German chancellOr's interroeatorles.
the purport OF which was. why does
italy desire to get out of the triple al
liance?" Every Italian. including Sig,
nor Giolitti. knows the answer to that
question hut Signor Giolitti had prefer
red that Signor Sonnino had remained to
answer it.