M. Bourgeois was consulted by M. Loubet, as pro tem.
President of the Chamber, whose confirmation in that great post is now taking place as we write. He preferred it to the Premiership, and the Radical party in the Chamber insisted by a majority of 36 upon complying with his wish. To do this they had to reject the claim of M. Deschanel, who fought bard for his place, canvassed with eagerness, and rallied all Deputies opposed to Radical opinions. Though a persuasive orator, a fairly impartial man, and the most brilliant personage in the Chamber, M. Deschanel had contrived to get himself dis- trusted as a Republican, and all his efforts failed to remove the distrust. There is nothing in his record to justify this feeling, which may arise from his very impartiality ; but there is no doubt of its existence, or of an impression that M. Deschanel, though he approves the Republic, belongs at heart to that party which will most fully gratify M. Deschanel's ambition. He will remain, of course, a force in the Chamber, and one with which Radicals in times of stress will have to reckon.
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