Carnot had a reputation for honesty , this made him a popular candidate to succeed Jules GrÃ vy who had resigned following a scandal . He was elected by 616 votes out of 827 . When the Daniel Wilson scandals occasioned the downfall of Jules GrÃ vy in December 1887 , Carnot 's reputation for integrity made him a candidate for the presidency , and he obtained the support of Georges Clemenceau and many others , so that he was elected by 616 votes out of 827 .