The French Government and Chamber appear to be at variance
on a curious point. French functionaries sometimes attack the Government of the day, and the question is whether this is allowable. The Radicals say "Yes," but the immense majority of the Chamber is of a different opinion, and on Thursday rejected a motion declaring the dignity, or rather the sanctity, of universal suffrage by 405 votes to 148. The Government, though it is preparing a Bill, is indisposed to silence all functionaries, and M. Duptly might have fallen but for considerations connected with the Russian funeral. There can be no doubt that silent obedience in the bureaux is essential to discipline; but then there is no doubt either that if Universal Suffrage calls on a func- tionary to speak, he cannot be silenced. The division on the project of law will therefore be a curious one. Note as important that M. Casimir-Wrier has become unpopular, and is being attacked by a campaign of slander. The charge is that he is too much of the great gentleman for a Republic.
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