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Taine, Hippolyte, 1828-1893

"The French Revolution - Volume 3"

"
Sometimes, through a sudden change of scene, the entire administrative
staff is kicked out so as to give place to a no less complete staff,
which the same kick brings up out of the ground. Considering that
"everything stagnates in Vaucluse, and that a frightful moderation
paralyses the most revolutionary measures," Maignet, in one order[83]
appoints the administrators and secretary of the department, the
national agent, the administrators and council-general of the
district, the administrators, council-general and national agent of
Avignon, the president, public prosecutor and recorder of the criminal
court, members of the Tribunal de Commerce, the collector of the
district, the post-master and the head of the squadron of gendarmerie.
And the new functionaries will certainly go to work at once, each in
his office. The summary process, which has brusquely swept away the
first set of puppets, is going to brusquely install the second one.
"Each citizen appointed to any of the above mentioned offices, shall
betake himself immediately to his post, under penalty of being
declared suspect," on the simple notification of his appointment.
Universal and passive obedience of governors, as well as of the
governed! There are no more elected and independent functionaries; all
the authorities, confirmed or created by the representative, are in
his hands; there is not one among them who does not subsist or survive
solely through his favor; there is not one of them who acts otherwise
than according to his approval or by his order.


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