The Socialists and Extremists in the French Chamber suffered a
rather heavy defeat on Tuesday. M. Toussaint, a Socialist Deputy, recently made a speech at Trignac during a strike, in which he insulted the gendarmerie. That is a serious offence in France, and he was arrested, together with some workmen. The Mayor, however, on discovering his quality, released M. Toussaint, but detained the workmen ; for which injustice the Minister of the Interior at once dismissed him. The Government, moreover, demanded permission of the Chamber to prosecute M. Toussaint. This was refused by the Committee of Inquiry ; but M. Casimir-Perier set their report aside, declared that the Government would see impartial justice done, and himself proposed the prosecution as a question of confidence. This proposal was accepted, after a scene of great excitement, by a vote of 291 to 220, many Members of the Right discrediting themselves by voting against the motion. M. Casimir-Perier is credited with great
firmness for his conduct in this affair, not only became the Socialists were furious in their defence of IL Toussaint, but because a great number of Deputies are anxious to make of their order a new privileged caste. A representative of the people, they say, ought to be beyond any jurisdiction except. that of the people itself.
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