M. Pouyer-Quertier's resignation or dismissal has been discussed in the
French Assembly without mach result. The real question seems to have been whether the Minister of Finance approved the system of transfers and fictitious entries of which M. Janvier de la Motte was accused. M. Pouyer-Quertier says he did not, that he openly condemned them—which is certainly true as far as his abstract opinion goes—while M. Casimir Perier affirms that he did, which is also true as far as his defence of the accused Prefect is concerned. The Assembly almost unanimously passed to the Order of the Day, that is, they affirmed the decision of the Govern- ment ; and we suppose the truth is this,—that the Cabinet, ex- asperated at the result of a trial which they intended to be a lesson to the Prefects, considered that if the Finance Minister remained, their efforts to secure economy and honesty in the Prefectures would be fruitless, and therefore insisted on his retirement. No successor to M. Pouyer-Quertier has yet been appointed, and he is conducting the superior duties of the department, though he does not attend Cabinet Councils.
