4 8 4 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



tism should be its motto. To test this we have studied minutely the 

 results of a general election of deputies from all over France, held in 

 1885. We chose this example for the reason that this important 

 political event was the last supreme effort, the expiring gasp of the 

 monarchical party in France. It is the last time that the conserva- 

 tive element obtained any formidable representation in the Chambers 

 at Paris. From ninety-five deputies standing for a return to the old 

 regime in the preceding Chambers, the number advanced to one hun- 

 dred and eighty-three; it nearly doubled, in other words. Three 

 million three hundred thousand conservative votes, in a total suf- 



Political Representation 



IN THE 



CHAMBER °F DEPUTIES 



(ELECTION OF OCTOBER \QQS) 



FRANCE 



PERCENT 



~~ j RADICAL 



Over55 [ ; | tendencies 

 50-55 HI REPUBLICAN 



IfDaEaAnoN 



^CONSERVATIVE 

 Over6oH ^CONSERVATIVE 



frage of 7,500,000, was a very respectable, even formidable, show- 

 ing. This remarkable overturn was due to a fortuitous conjuncture 

 of events. The Ferry republican ministry had been recklessly ex- 

 travagant; its policy in Tonquin was unpopular. Disturbing local 

 issues were, however, rare, so that the main questions at home were 

 calculated to appeal directly to any intellectual or moral prejudices 

 which happened to be abroad. The Radical party stood for the sepa- 

 ration of Church and State ; universal suffrage in senatorial and presi- 

 dential elections was a leading issue. It was an exceptional occasion 

 in every respect for reviving the smoldering fires of conservatism, 

 while at the same time affording opportunity for the fullest expres- 

 sion of progressive ideas, wherever they were present. The election, 



