21 DECEMBER 1889, Page 3

-

The majority in the French Chamber have not been so unjust towards the minority as was expected. They have confirmed most -of the dispute& Reactionarpelections, but have been unable to resist the temptation to "expel'. the Boulangist leaders. They not only unseated General Boulanger, who was at all events technically ineligible, but they seated his opponent, who had an insufficient majority, in order not to: allow Paris an opportunity. -for a demonstration. They also unseated M. Naquet on vague charges of ex- penditure, which he refuted; and turned out M. Laur practically for abuse of his opponent, M. Antoine, the old Deputy for Metz, who renounced. German nationality. The Deputies, in fact, when strongly'moved, are as unjust as our own Election Committees once were, and much less anxious' to preserve an external appearance of fairness. They use " invalidation " as a political weapon. The electors are, however, not irritated, partly because they can fill the vacant seats at discretion, and partly because they do not really care whether the usual majority is 40 or 46.