NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MRIBOT has fallen like the rest, though happily not • through a scandal. He had become, it is said, disliked by both sides for his disposition to compromise ; and they took the first opportunity of overthrowing him. The Chamber has recently been modifying the liquor duties to conciliate pro- ducers, and has made up deficiencies by a tax on operations on the Bourse. The Senate rejected the tax, and desired the new liquor laws to be embodied in a separate Bill. It was entirely within its constitutional right; but the Chamber grew angry, and on Monday sent back the Budget unchanged, voting, in the teeth of the Ministry, that the new Liquor Law should remain part of it. M. Ribot thereupon resigned, and there is the usual difficulty in finding a successor. M. Carnot inclines, it is believed, to M. Develle, but the Chamber means to have a word in the matter ; and, on being asked for a two months' vote on account, refused it, reducing the period to one month by 504 votes to 5. The new Premier therefore, whoever he may be, will have to settle the Budget question, reconcile Chamber and Senate, and prepare for the new elections, which can hardly be avoided much longer. M. Constans is possibly equal to the task, but hardly any other man ; and M. Constans is disliked by the Radicals, and probably by M. Carnot, who wishes to be re-elected.
