Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1899 — A MORAL FROM FRANCE. [ARTICLE]

A MORAL FROM FRANCE.

Indifference of the People Toward the French Parliament. The French parliament is not what it was during the first decade of the third republic. There has been in its members a decline in political capacity, debating power and representative character. When a general election takes place there is intense interest in public affairs, but small politicians' force their way into prominence as candidates-, and are cnosen by universal suffrage. The chamber of deputies does not, therefore, adequately represent the country, and consequently does not command its respect. The British house of commonsisdn touch with a wide range of public interests. There are now among its members fewer orators and fluent debaters than there were ten years ago, but the house has seldom had a higher average of character and ability. Among its members are titled landholders, millionaires and bankers, merchants and manufacturers, shipbuilders and ship-owners, mine owners and miners, retired officers of the military and naval services, lawyers and men of letters, workingmen and land agitators. It representsi the varied interests of the United Kingdom. In the French chamber of deputies there are few manufacturers, bankers, large landholders and highly educated men. The majority of the members are journalists, advocates and minor politicians; noisy and excited talkers, who possesss neither the mental qualities essential to statesmanship, nor an adequate knowledge of public affairs. Herein lies an explanation of the comparative indifference with which the struggle between civil and military governments in the Dreyfus case has been regarded in France. The army, recruited by general conscription, is directed by parade-ground warriors and a corrupt staff of intriguers! The government of the day is at the mercy of a mob of small politicians who do not possess the confidence of the country. If the general average of character and ability of the deputies were higher than it is, the struggle between rival powers in the state would be short and decisrive. Rural France now careslittle whether the wire-pullers in the army or the wire-pullers in parliament secure supremacy in the nation’s councils. Americans may take warning from ■ France-. Happily, we are not exposed . to the hazards of a struggle between i civil and military power, but the safe i guard of our people is a national legisI iature which adequately and honestly ! represents thrir„ manifold interests. As the standards of membership in either house of the American congress are raised or lowered, the efficiency of our institutions and the well-being of the nation are strengthened or impaired.—Youth’s Companion.