The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-17
To Elect a President to Sue
ceed FaIlieres.
THE PREMIER is INSULTED
By Former Premier Clemen-
ceau Before BaIIOting.
The Prime Minister Promptly
Chooses His Seconds.


public by the national assembly here
today.
Premier Poincare in the first ballot
for election.
During the proceedings of the nation
al assembly George Clemenceau made
a satisfactory explanation to NJ. BRAND
and NJ. Klotz. who had been sent to
him by Premier Poincare relative to
the letter he received last evening from
the ex-premier. The incident is there
fore considered closed. Deputy A De
Mozies and Paul Boncour, former min
lister of labor also quarreled in the
corridor of the palace of Versailles as
a result of which NJ Monies sent MS
seconds to NJ. Boncour.
Starts With a Quarrel.
Versailles, Jan. 17.-Premier Kay
mond Poincare was insulted by eX-
Premier George CIemenceau at the
opening of the national congress tor
the election of a president today: M.
Poincare at once appointed Arlsude
BRAND, the minister OF justice anu
L. L. Klots, minister OF finance 10 act
as his seconds and to arrange Tor a
duel.
Senators and deputies of France ar
rived in small groups throughout the
forenoon today to take part in the
election of a new president OF the re-
public. President Fallieres's seven
year term expires February IS.
NominalIy S97 representatives or
the people are entitled to vote today
in the national assembly convened IN
the ancient residence of the kings or
France. These official electors in
cluded 597 deputies and 30O senators,
but the number was reduced owing
to vacancies caused by deaths and re-
SignationS or by illness.
Large crowds of people who had
come from the capital to watch the
arrival of the politicians and states
men disturbed the repose of the quiet
little suburban town. AS the favorite
representatives of the people appear
ed they were greeted with rousing
cheers.
Most of the senators and deputies
came out from Paris on special trains
provided by the government and
few arrived in motor cars or carriages.
With them came some. 1,5OO relatives
and friends and persons notable In
official society.
Premier Raymond Poincare and the
members of his cabinet arrived some
hours before the voting began. Jules
Pama, the minister of agriculture, was
not among them. He had sent to the
premier early in the morning a note
containing his resignation from the
cabinet and notification that he had
accepted the candidacy for the presi-
dency.
Premier Poincare Immediately desig-
mated Fernand David, at present min
lister of commerce, to take over also
che portfolio of agriculture. For sew
eral months preparations had been un-
der way for the sitting of the national
assembly. Although there is a per-
manent force of men at the palace
whose business it is to keep the build
ing ready for such elections, much had
been left to be completed at the last
moment.
1t was thought on this occasion ow-
ing to the multiplicity of candidates
mentioned that several ballots would |
be necessary before any one candi- I
date would receive an absolute major |
ity of the votes. According to the |
constitution if three ballots are cast
without a result the candidate then |
holding the highest total of votes is |
chosen president.
Out of the nine presidential elections |
held since the foundation of the third |
republic in 1870. seven have been de- |
cided on the first ballot. Only at the |
elections of Sadi-Carnot in 1877 and of |
Felix F'aure in 1895 were two ballots |
necessary.
Each ballot occupies almost three |
hours as the deputies and senators are
called upon separately in alphabetical |
order to place their ballot papers in |
the urns.
Parties in the Palace.
The interior of the palace which
dates from the time of Louis XIV
was brilliantly decorated. The floor I
of the congress hall itself was ar
ranged with 800 chairs covered in
dark leather. No special seats were
assigned to the members of the two
chambers, who took their places in
accordance with their political group
ings.
Outside the palace in the spacious
grounds there was great animation all
day the park being filled with motor
cars and carriages, while many liver
led domestics and thousands of |
curious foreigners wandered about.
These were interspersed with mount
order.
Within the palace many lively
luncheon and tea parties were given
by the various functionaries, while
eupied by partisans of the various
candidates discussing the tactics to be
pursued. The broad lobbies were
filled with senators and deputies and
hundreds of reporters, for all of whom
he government provided tobacco
wires had been laid from
Versailles to Paris for the use of Of |
,icials and newspaper correspondents
md dozens of special telephones were
installed to insure rapid communica-
ion.
Soup Is Served.
The buffet of the palace was heavily
stocked with large quantities of all
xinds of food and thousands of bottles
IF mineral water. Throughout the
morning two huge cauldrons of soup
steamed constantly in the palace kitch-
m and cups of this were passed round
It various intervals
Considerable commotion was caused