The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-25
DEspoTIsM OF " PROTECTION"

| DESPOTISM OF PROTECTION"
Among the items Of foreign news recently re-
ceived, is the singular announcement that the go
vernment of France has again reduced the number
of electors. Out of population of f35 900 900 only
220 900 persons were entitled to vote for Deputies
number has now again been reduced to less than
100000. This number includes all those eligible as
Deputies and qualified to elect them. With this
small number of persons to control, the French
government has at its disposal 500 900 Offices, which
receive directly from the government 397, 1891 900
francs, or "A 495 Sl2 salaries in addition to monop-
olies and various emoluments of Office. This is
equal to l-2 Offices TO each Plector, and would
suppose that the government was toerably safe un-
der such system. 1t may, however, be evidence
of the advance ofthe prosperity of France notwith
standing the iniquities of the government, that the
number of electors increases, and the struggle OF
the government against their growing liberalism is
becoming greater. The qualification for electors
after the revolution Of July, 1881, was fixed at
payment of 200 francs, direct taxes, and rs years of
age This gave l70,0 900 in 1874, which number
rose to 220, 900 in 1884, and is now by new resric-
tions again reduced Outof 9,lO5, 200 tax payers
in France, only 100000 have any part in the gov
ernment; all the rest have rights, but to serve
in the army Of Algiers.
There are two classes Of electors in France-the
commercial electors and the electors of depart
ments. A commune is village, or collection of
hamlets, governed by Mayor, appointed by the
King, and ten councilmen for 500 inhabitants; and
the highest number OF electors is in 10 inhabi-
tants. These elect the councilmen. This council
meets only when directed by the Mayor, and can
discuss nothing but the question he puts. If they
do not decide az he wishes, they are dissolved land
the King appoints his own councilmen. These
councils have nothing whatever to do with politics;
they attend to roads schools &c., but cannot spend
cent for any such purpose unless authorized by
the King or these communes there are 81, 500,
and their population "a 300 900 These inhabitants
cannot perform single act that does not fall un-
der the control of the administration; Frenchman
cannot enter trade without license Bakers
butchers, porters, and many Others, are monopoles
granted by authority. The workmen tf all trades
must obtain book from the police, and their EN-
ployers must enter their names with the nature OF
their services. A Frenchman can belong to no So
ciety except authorised by the government; he !
cannot have any arms in his possession unless au-
thorsed he cannot 60 out OF the district in which
he lives without pass from the police; he must
show the pass whenever ordered by gen d'arlne,
all keepers OF lodging houses must report to the |
police all who enter their houses These are some
Of the privileges OF the French people having no
voice whatver in their government Now, one OF
he most powerful means by which this system is
,erpetuated is "protection to home industry"
This mass of French people, of whom % ,952, 900
annot and write, are made to believe that the
protective system" of the government is ior ihe
promotion of their industytheir system foi the Gus
oms and excise employs 81 .27O PERSONS at salaries
II So I9l 900 francs to collect customs, prevent
muggling, Sc, and these offices are distr ibuted
mong the friends Of the electors, who aid and abet
t. These persons, with the ministers, who keep
p the farce, point with infinite glee to the enght-
med republicans OF Americans who impose upon
themselves the same absurd oppression invented to
,erpetuate despotic power. If among 20, 1000, 900
epublicans, Of who m only $4,000 are unable TO
cad and write the absurdity of restricting indivld
la freedom for the benefit OF the national dnstry,
S countenanced, what may be expected from a.
100 900 of French unable to read and write' The
french population is divided into four classes viz:
1853 900 who have nothing to say in relation to
3,s42 900 industieis; ,390 900 pro.
essons and people who hive on their income;
,7l5000 dependents on the government The
Is are then the only class against which
he government has to contend, and this is done by
a popderaiion des forces; that lie, 20 protective
axes" have placed the agriculturalists in opposi-
ion to the manufacturers, the latter against the
;oIonists; those against tradesmen and merchants,
he iron master against the wine grower, &c.-
Amidst these divers interests, blinded by the alb
urdty of protection, the government has foundit
IN easy matter to enslave the whole people, and
he more readily that their Infamous system ofspe-
isl privileges is commenced in the United
States. ~ N 81