Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10


There are certain questions of vital inn
portance which have escaped the notice
of the foreign CORE
SVmntoms spondents who have paid
no heed to the symptoms
in France against parliament. The symp-
toms of revolt are not confined TO 'he
right, but extend to all parties, ana the
situation is therefore full of possibilities
Among the Inconsistencies, which might
be termed something far stronger. COM
mitted by parliament against the proie-
tary, and which have remained as an
indelible stigma, is the vote by which
members augmented their indemnities by
1900 francs each. That was self-ln-
flicted wound which has been denounced
as the hari-kari of parliamentarism.
Some recent Inconsistencies have been
the passage of law on the secret bal
lot (scrutn de lisle) and the law of pro-
portional representation They were
voted as they should have been. but al
most Immediately reconsidered, and for
the manifest reasons that each, on re-
consideration, was deemed conceding
something to the opposition.
That there is something out of joint in
tne political machine is evident from
the attitude of NJ. Herve in the
ly met at Mines NJ. Herve, it is re-
called, is the apostle of anti-militarism.
He made vigorous attack against par
liamentarism. and particularly against
the socialist group. which he accused of
having voted those 1900 francs Just as
the other deputies, and of having become
parliamentarians who had lost touch with
the proletarian II ask myself said the
virtuouS anti-Inilitarist. IF | should re-
main i'm a party and lend it the revolu-
tionary attitude which may obtain for il
the confidence of the revolutionists of the
country.
There are other Inconsistencies Of the
expiring parliament. This parliament
or its friends must answer in the cleo
tiOnS for the frauds committed in the
last elections. and for the so-called elect
ed, whose elections, manlfeStly fraud
ulent, were declared valid by an au-
daciouS majority.
NJ. Francis Charmes, in the Revue
des Deux Mondes, affirms that parla
ment persistently refuses to apply
remedy to a state of things that has
become almost intolerable. He ex-
presses the opinion that no change is
TO be hoped for from parliament but i'm
a revolt of universal suffrage, which is
near When? In the next elections?
some members OF parlld1nP01, con-
scious of it's incorrectness and the lack
of esteem for parlia-
Revoked ment on the part of
the public. endeavored
AWFUL to bring that body to
a sense of its duty by proposing the
law of proportional representation.
but was revoked.
Ia nhJi l.
ly to pass such a law is manifest.
Parliamentarians i'm every country now
recognize the necessity of conceding some
of the benefits of government 10 the mi
nority and that the majority should not
be permitted to absorb all these benefits.
Proportional representation signifies that
all representative elements of parliament
shall join in close cooperation in all
questions affecting national aspirations.
AS it is, parliament dominated by the
political pa ssions of party treats it's OPP
ponents almost as aliens and their prop
ositions as little else than prepoSterous,
even when made in the interests of the
public. which has given the sanctity of
its mandate to the deputy. who finds his
best efforts hopelessly blocked by the
barrier Of party.
There was a time when the exercise of
autocratic powers In a parliament was
possible. but general education has
CidHSSd titlS Is iio CIV
ilized government today that does not
practice a sincere spirit of conciiiation
with its parties. and if France should
act in a contrary sense 1t will be certain
to lead to catastrophe.
There are conspicuous proofs that many
members of parliament are retiring dis
couraged and disgusted from the cham
Der and resuming their more agreeable
avocations. Among these may be men
toned M. Lasies NJ. Gauther de Clagny
,ln oil h.,r,p ,x-in I,a
ly regretted.
NJ. Joseph Lasies is deputy from the
Gers. He was a former cavalry officer
and is editor of the I.ibre Parole. NJ.
Lasies is of the most spirited and
witty members of the minority. There
have been others witty, perhaps. but
none SO pinuant without ever being spite
full or injurious. He will be regretted.
When asked why he was going he
piled that he had found his best efforts
at the Paais Bourbon futile. All admin
istration favors were mercilessly refused
him or his people. They were taxed like
every else. He would not consent
any longer to be a maker of trouble.
NJ Georges Gauthier de Clagny is
deputy from Versailles Seine ct Disc. He
is doctor of laws law
Ineffective yer in the council of
state and the court of
COunselS. cessation He belongs, as
does NJ Lasies, to the minority and hon
ors his party by his talent and charac-
ter. Though he is listened to with pleas
ure and profit his counsels are never fol-
lowed. He belongs to the opposition
That is quite enough to render his elo-
quence useless and without elIect. Other
reasons have conspired to disgust him
with the chamber. This orator, who I'M
derstands well the sense of words, ex-
pressed his feelings in recent speech, in
which he spoke OF the contempt in which
parliament had fallen. The assembly
murmured, but did not protest.
1t is not only conservatives like Nj. Lasies
and NJ. Gauthier de Clagny who are Ieav-
ing but others. Nj. CASTOR Gustave Fer
nand Labor is deputy from Rheims
Marine He is distinguished advocate.
He went to the chamber to secure many
necessary reforms. among them the secret
ballot and proportional representation; he
obtained nothing. Nj. Labori goes back
to the bar a sadder but wiser man.
This triple Remuneration of public life
will be followed, it is affirmed. by many
others, and while it is disturbing symp-
tom. the lesson. perhaps NAV not be lost