Reports From The Paris Commune (5 of 26)

The Communards are convinced the Government wants to stop a socialist Republic by restoring the Monarchy. In fact, Theirs, while humoring the Monarchists, is pursuing his plans in favor of a conservative Republic. An upstart petit-bourgeois, Theirs, 73, has been in politics for 40 years. Parisians hate him and call him "little runt" or "Theirs I, King of the Defeatists". A conservative Orleanist, advocate of law and order, Theirs doesn't mind a Republic as long as he's President. Theirs plans to create a united front at the Assembly. The war against the Commune will be a pretext. ---------- The turnout at the polls is 48%. Nearly the same as for the Mayor in 1870. The figure varies greatly with the Districts. In the "posh areas" fewer that 40% vote, compared with over 62% in the working class neighborhoods. So many workers elected to the Commune Council is a first in European political history: 21 members are proletarian, 30 are journalists or men of letters, 13 are employees or craftsmen. ----------