In 1905 at a conference on working class action in the event of war he was censured for "unpatriotic proposals.

[3] In 1908 Bretin and Guillot were among those involved in organizing a section of the teachers' federation in Saône-et-Loire.

[2] On 7 November 1905 the government had made it clear that it was illegal to form a teachers' union.

They used different lines of defense: Guillot said she had the right to form a section of a federation which was, if not legal, at least tolerated.

He joined the Socialist Group, and was a member of the Commissions of education and fine arts, tax legislation, the merchant navy, economic reorganization and the army.

In the general elections of 22 and 29 April 1928 Bretin suffered a setback in the Macon district, losing to Vincent Jacoulat in the second round.