Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/256

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248] FOREIGN HISTORY. [1899.

(Feb. 6) by nine votes to two against the Government proposal to interfere with the Court of Cassation. On the following day a newspaper published in full an absolutely confidential letter addressed by the first President M. Mazeau to M. Dupuy, the Prime Minister, and on the same day M. Loew, President of the Criminal Chamber, quietly announced that that court had closed its inquiry, and notified the fact to the Minister of Justice. Two days later (Feb. 9) a manifesto was issued signed by the representatives of all the Republican groups in the Chamber, from the most moderate to the Socialists, protesting against the Government proposal as contrary to all precedent and justice.

In most instances their eloquence and their courage did not or discussion (Feb. 10) the leaders of the Moderates and of the Radicals alike preserved silence, and it was left to MM. PeUetan and Millerand to protest against this violation of tradition. The Minister of Justice astutely urged members to think only of their seats, and with such effect that the bill was accepted by 326 to 206 votes and at the same sitting was passed unamended by 324 to 207 votes.
 * o beyond the written document, for on the bill coming forward

Its fate in the Senate was even more dramatic. The com- mittee selected to report on it (Feb. 16) was composed of five members who were favourable and four opposed to the bill, and a keen debate was anticipated. But during the night President F61ix Faure died suddenly, under circumstances which were never satisfactorily explained, and the whole situation was abruptly changed. In the latter days of his life it seemed as if the President of the republic was altogether in the hands of the military party, the Elys6e became more and more accessible to the Conservative leaders, and the Republicans finding their presence little desired soon absented themselves.

There was serious danger of a prolonged crisis, but the Senate rose to the emergency, and determined to cut short the intrigues which promptly wove round the situation. Negotia- tions were at once commenced and on the same day (Feb. 17) it was announced that M. Loubet's candidature would have the support of 177 senators. The Republican groups in the Chamber at once declared their adhesion, and M. Charles Dupuy, the President of the Council, found it convenient to let it be known that he was not a candidate for the Presidency of the republic. The two Houses met in congress at Versailles (Feb. 18) and at once proceeded to business. The Conservatives and the Rallied had fixed upon M. M61ine as their candidate ; but in a total of 812 voters he only found 279 adherents, whilst 483 rallied to M. Loubet. About fifty votes were scattered among a number of insignificant names, but the majority was decisive.

The Dupuy Ministry was temporarily continued in office, but from the moment of his election M. Loubet had grounds for distrusting its support. On driving from the railway