No. 257.
Mr. Morton
to Mr. Blaine.
Paris, October 31, 1881. (Received November 12.)
Sir: The Legislative Chambers were opened on the 28th instant, at 3 o’clock p.m., in the usual manner. In the Senate the president, Mr. [Page 434] Leon Say, read the order of President Grévy convoking that body in extraordinary session for that day. He declared that the officers of the Senate were to remain in the discharge of their duties, and pronounced the House formally constituted.
The Chamber of Deputies was opened at the same hour, the oldest deputy, M. Guichard, taking the chair in conformity with a rule of the House. The present being an entirely new Chamber, new officers were selected. M. Guichard, on taking the chair, made a short address, in which he defined what he considered to be the political indications of the last election. These he declared to be the maintenance of the republic with progressive reforms, such as separation of church and state, the abolition of appropriations for the clergy, repeal of irremovability of the judiciary, and the revision, in a more democratic sense, of the mode of election of Senators. These sentiments were received in the chamber with great applause.
The next business in order was the election of temporary officers to serve until the validation of the election of the members of the House was accomplished.
M. Gambetta, who was not a candidate for the permanent presidency of the House, was willing, however, to be voted for as temporary president, in order to test the feeling of the new House towards him politically. His election was carried by a majority, which indicates increased strength with his party.
M. Gambetta, on taking his seat the next day, thanked the House briefly for the honor conferred, but abstained from all allusion to political questions. The House immediately proceeded to the election of the other temporary officers of the Chamber, and then commenced the validation of the deputies.
It is believed M. Gambetta will be invited by President Grévy to form a new Cabinet, when it is expected M. Brisson, the first vice-president, will be elected president of the chamber.
I have, &c.,