The 1885 Election

Abstract

Ferry’s successor was not easy to find, and the embarrassment caused by the absence of parties with practical programmes could not be overcome. The old Left Centre had no following in the Chamber, while all the Republicans, the Opportunists, had been used up. Grévy would not hear of the suggestion of Clemenceau, in spite of his having been the overthrower of Ferry. Constans tried to collect a cabinet, but failed. Finally, Brisson was summoned from the Presidency of the Chamber; with his leaning towards mild radicalism, it was hoped he might bridge the gulf between the Opportunists and the Extremists. He got together a ministry from all the groups, if not of all the talents. Freycinet came back to the Foreign Office, Allain-Targé, of Brisson’s own colour, went to the Interior, with another Radical, Goblet, at Public Instruction. The new Finance Minister, Clamageran, fell ill within a week and was replaced by the grandson of the ‘organiser of victory’ of the First Republic, Sadi Carnot. The rest were nonentities, except for another bearer of a historic name, Godefroy Cavaignac, appointed undersecretary to General Campenon, who went back to the War Office. It was a stop-gap ministry to tide over affairs until the elections in October.