The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-22
FRANCES NEXT PRESIDENT.
FRENCH PARLIAMENT ELECTS
PREMIER POINCAIRE.


the past IL months premier of the
French cabinet, was elected president
of the republic of France today by
the national assembly, composed of
the members Of both chambers of
parliament, in succession to President
Armand Fallieres, whose seven-year
term expires February IS.
The widest confusion out Of which
arose two challenges to duels, marked
the casting Of the ballots.
| Premier Poincaire was chosen presi-
dent on the second ballot, his plurality
over his nearest competitor, Jul IS
PANS minister of agriculture, being
1877. The deciding vote stood as fol-
lows: Raymond Poincaire 4SS: Jules
PANS 296; Marie Eduard valiant 60.
Mr.. Poincaire's first words upon be-
ing officially informed of his election
as president of France were
Il shall try to show myself worthy
of the confidence Of the national as
sembly. I shall forget the struggles
of yesterday and even the inquiries.
| Be convinced that l shall seek in
| everything and all times to be an i'm.
partial administrator"
The utterance came when Antoine
Dubost, the president of the assem-
bly,, In an apartment adjoining the
voting hall, read from a parchment
the official record Of the election
which was signed by NJ. Dubost and
eight secretaries.
While this scene was going on the
deputies and senators, and the spec
tators crowding the galleries in the
great hall, were also hearing the an
nOuncement of Premier Poincire's
victory and the defeat Of Jules Pans,
NJ. Poincaire's strongest opponent.
After round of cheering the depu-
ties and senators who formed the
national assembly the women of fash
ion and diplomatists among whom
were Myron Il. Herrick, the American
ambassador, and other notables, hGr-
ried from the Versailles chateau to
keep dinner engagements in Paris and
Versailles. AS they passed out de-
tachments Of soIdies were being
aligned to salute the president elect
and TO escort him to- the capital.
Raymond Poncaire's selection for
the presidency OF France; although
by parliament as required by the con-
stitution, is regarded as representing
as well the popular Will Of the nation
The choice came on the second bal
lot. Jules PANS was the next highest
candidate in the final vote. VI. Poin-
caire gained q votes on the second
ballot, giving him the required ma
jpority.
Raymond Poincaire, the new presi-
dent, is now in his 53rd year. He is
Of medium height and sturdily built
Above all he radiates an impression
tual. He is modest in conversation,
cheerful and patient, and concentrates
his whole attention on the person to
whom he Is talking.
NJ. Poincaire's large. luminous eyes
are the most striking feature OF a face
which suggests tenacity and determi-
nation. He is versatile and comes Of
a family distinguished in science and
literature.
The president himself is a
philosopher, n writer and a member of
the French academy with notable
career in French law circles. He has
peculiarity of never sending his
clients bills for legal services, always
saying that they may send him what
ever they consider to be the value of
his work. He is capable of disposing
Of a great variety of affairs in short
working day. In consequence he has
time for much study and for much So
cial life He is seen on first nights
at theatres and attends the princi-
pal horse racing events.
Americans who have met the
premier have always found him in
tcrCstcd in America and it's institu-
tions.
As foreign minister NJ. Poincaire
greatly facilitated the work of AM
bassador IIcrrick and his predecessor
at the American embassy, Robert Ba-
con, and he gave much attention to
the Franc0-Nmcrican committee
which sent a delegation, headed by
Gabriel HanotauN, CX-ministcr for for
cign affairs, To the United States last
year with the French nations gift of
a bronze bust executed 10y Rodjn
which was erected at Crown Point,