21 MAY 1881, Page 2

M. Gambetta has carried the Scrntin de Lige through the

Chamber, by a very narrow majority. The project was brought forward on Thursday, and was denounced by M. Bardoux, reporter of the bureau to which it had been referred, but was strongly defended by M. Gambetta, on the ground that it would secure a homogeneous Chamber, which would make Govern- ment as strong and stable as if elected by phibiscite, a remark rapturously applauded by the Bonapartists. It would, more- over, open the road to the Chamber.• to all men, and especially to workman candidates, who are excluded by the system which gives so much power to money. There was no real speaking on the other Hide, and the Chamber, feeling that the subject had been

thrashed out in discussions out of doors, voted at once. The secret ballot was demanded, and the numbers in favour of the Bill were 243 to 235, only 25 Members being absent from the House. The clauses were then put, and the first clause, which declares &matt de Lists the only mode of voting, was carried, by 299 to•222. This vote was not secret, and some sixty Members,. determined not to be left out of the lists, had crossed over. The Bill then passed in one sitting. The Senate can still throw it out, and might do so, as far as the Chamber is concerned; but they will probably decline, on the plea that, as universal suffrage is estab- lished, the method of applying the suffrage is a detail for the Chamber alone. Tho Senators are not afraid of time Deputies,. but they are of M. Gambetta, who will come to power either way.