Since 1870-1876 the mayors, to lessen the difficulties of their task, are frequently forced to abandon any rightful authority; the prefects are induced to tolerate, to approve of these infractions of the law....
For many years one cannot read the minutes of a session of the council general or of the municipal council without finding numerous examples of the illegality we report....

In another order of facts, for example in that which relates to the official staff, do we not see every day agents of the state, even conscientious, yield to the will of all-powerful political notabilities and entirely abandon the interests of the service ?"--These abuses have largely increased within the past ten years.] [Footnote 4235: See "La Republique et les conservateurs," in the Revue des Deux Mondes of March 1, 189?
, p.108.--"I speak of this de visu from experience, (SR.): I take my own arrondissement.

It is in one of the eastern departments, lately represented by radicals.

This time it was carried by a conservative.

An attempt was first made to annul the election, which had to be given up as the votes in dispute were too many.