Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-04-06
miscellaneous.
LETTERS FROM FRANCE.
From the New York Courier & Enquirer.
No. III.
TIE FRENCH CHAMBERS.

PANS Feb. 10, 1913.
We will il please, take another cursoy of the
Chamber of Deputies, for presents interesting pecul-
aes and much may be learned there of French character
France divided into 459 Advertisements Electoral Col
leges each Of which sends deputy The eector be
gyca's Of age, must pay at least $40 per annum IN tXes
and must be resident of the Arondssemen in which he
The elected be 80 years of age annually
pay 500 in taxes, but is necessary that he should be
inhabiant of district he represents since the pro-
ydes only half of the Chamber of
deputies. The election is by ballot, and usually completed
in one day. Speech making at the polls cauyassng and all
the various kinds Of Gectioneerng pracsed
tent that makes ample amends for the pvaton. Candidates
tamper with the conscience if not with the undersanding
Honor the only deputies receive for their public
services But this sufficient to make the Chambers the
great goal OF French ambition Men of science, OF
men OF work. of leisure, of wealth. of party
men OF high bt aud men OF low reRn'e all run for it and
fortunate is he who wins the post The of service is
i've years. If the Parliament not dissolved by royal
pIerogatve.
The building now occupied by the Chambers is the Palas
Bourbon the former residence OF the families of Condo and
Orleans. 1t is handsome pile OF architecture, but inferior
III elegance 10 our national capitol The legislative hall Is
somewhat smaller than that Of Representatives. Wash
nston, but yet il easily accommodates the whole number of
deputies is circular, beautifully proportional, and
richly decorated with pictures, statues and columns The
seats of members rise gradually from the small arch in the
The lower benches occupied by Minister'S and
the leading Of the body. Tho President sits
ted rosIum at the middle of the base of the Chamber
each side of MIN the Vice President and Secretaries
behind him his private Secretary Just before him is
oratorica tribune, elevated some four five feet above the
oor On each side of this the desks of the reporters
the Mcner the official orgon and under it the of the
rise above the other each divided into compartments
orally appropriated to the of the royal family the peers
editors the reporters and lastly the public The deputies h
your readers according their political cassif
cation In front of the President seated the do
consisting Of the ministry aud its adherents AT his right
me eltre@e dro made up OF estimss and independents
Towards his left the central gaucho comprising the mod
crate liberal or Theirs party and his left the
goaehe composed Of Republicans and radical rcormes
The Chambers, to the French love of eea made
II standing rule that every speaker shall the tribune
The speeches sometimes sometimes re-
cited from memory, aud sometimes read The
frequently the case than at Washington The practised
speakers occasionally resort to it, The speeches usually
he SUI
peuous Few speeches attain that length and of
most striking and effective, do exceed half of it, The
speaker seldom listened to in silence. Ii he is un1eng
his voice almost drowned in conversation and
restrained as that OF evening II eEeng he is
s9ny interrupted by nterectons and ordinations ranging
all along the scale Of expression om the cordial appo
val down to the Poioundest contempt The French cal
led tho most polite of all people, Perhaps they their
houses and streets but in their public debates the very
verse 81 TINS "a the fact In this sphere all restraints of civil
ly and even ordinary deeency put off, If by
consent The most sPitcu threats defances snoe aunts,
inuendoes and contradictions continually vented the
speaker not only from tho seats Of members but
times rom INC public galleries II does not take much Of
speech TO make seaSIon few smart, bold phrases will
do it aud when comes you might easily fancy pros
st at grand gala day in Bedam Such JrGUoing clappng,
sesucuahg, lushns, soeaming stamping scoIdng swear
lng and stoimlng, surely elsewhere witnessed in
m assembly OF sane men In vain .ho President rings his
DELI yeats ms gesR ana eros orders lie only makes confusion
worse COMPOUNDED. These freQuent they
times occur IN tho midst though usually at the end Of
me hlltnss oten remain suspended "a inns way Tor
hull an hour and sometimes, happened week
puts on his hat his CLOAK nont him. marches home
leaving the body legislative state of suspended animation
Every measure as reported being made the order Of
apartcuhf day. usual for members who wish speak up
oneach 10 ogsiot their beforehand appro
pated for the purpose aud they succeed each other al tho
tribune IN tho order Of the eplion Yet doss follow
that deputy though registered upon question: will spouk
or he speaks that lie will be heard For it members
impatient 10 luxe the vote or TO adjourn, they will listen
hsyHnblei VoclieTate he BeHyer himself the most
eloquent nan IN the body driven from the tribune
manner mol fortnight since. lie overwhelmed with
Glamour that ouid'd Pandemonum " The previous
abused as has been, Is mode of sitting infinite
y preferable TO this application Of brute force have been
present. at asbigon, during the
say with the utmost eonhdence, that the deliberations tho
House, bear ghrden has been called arc
oo orderly and dignied than those Of the French ChanbeJ
of Deputies
The vote taken eitor by rising serutoire as ia
eImed In the latter the deputies pass through the m
bpne ana each deposits III white black hall, be
may be IN the affirmative negative. The reporters give We
~ faithful reports OF the d0baes of the official orgar
ere The most complete During any important discussion the
Editors Of the leading journals always their tbun,
10 the gallery They hore prepare HbsiTacl OF the debate
WIN copous commentary Of their upon moItsht
whole TO appear the leader in the mornings paper
inc Gngs OF the Chambers commence at O'Clock
and close at i've or EiK
~ tho opening of each session the King rides down
Chamber aud delivers his address, from throne prepared o
the oceaspn Formerly the Parliament repaired TO the pal
ace 10 receive the royal communication But timeg have chm
ged and the privilege Of wearing his ehaJeau, while addres
sing the other estates OF tho realm pretty much The on
dstinniion The Citizen King enjoys. Tho address de
appointed TO DIAN ap answer This response usually eics
weeks debate this however presented so many sai
enl points for attack that its discussion twenty DAYS
There occurs mDnlhyi by lot, dsbu ion Of ali the dep
nes into nine bureaus whose province is to discuss aud mai
printed reports upon every measure pesentad Amer thes
bureaus have reported hyOably the project open TO th
consideration OF The Chambers NoaT the Hall Is refresh
lnent called the Buyee, where members al dhce
ton cgao themselves with eakes wine at The public OK
penee. Daring the Restoration the reporters were admitte
to It's privilege but under this republican dynasty, they