New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-21
FRANCE.
Politics-rhe Orleans Decree, &c, &c.
Correspondence of The n. Y Tn5one.
PARIS, Thursday, Jan. %, 1850

oil the newsmen about these times. owing 10
the importance of its contents, the stately Mon
iteur has been of late hawked and peddled about
the streets Just as If it was not the official and
privileged sheet and as II it could not trace its
lineage back into the msts OF the last century.
As YOU hear from the hoarse voice Of the vender
that the journal in question contains the names
of the new Senate or Council Of State, you in
voluntarily wonder whether the mails have all
arrived, whether the telegraph has made no sr-
rors in its figures, and whether the returns are
official ana reliable. This you do before you
are fully awake; you turn heavily in your bed,
and Just then begin to remember that you are
living in Paris, under an absolute Republic the
idea then occurs to you that the Senators and
Councillors have been appointed by the Presi-
dent: that they have been elected, like Marcns
Morton, by majority Of one. Being satisfied
that men, chosen in this way, will be either
tools or puppets, and that 1t can make no manner
of difference what their names are, you compose
Yourself to sleep again. You subsequently resd
the list in an evening paper.
But it is hardly probable that this nonchalart
manner of treating an important subject would
either satisfy or instruct your readers. SO, fG
their sake if not for my own, send you su'h
details in regard to the two newly formed bodrs
as seem to be of general interest.
The organic law upon the Council OF State
and the list of the members composing that body
have appeared since my last. As the Leglsa-
tive body can in no case originate law, and
can only accept or reject bill that has orgna-
ted with the Council of State, and as theSenate's
prerogatives are confined to vote upon certain
bills of certain character, the Council oil state
is the only one of the three bodies wh'se organ
ization or composition is Of any particular inter
est. Upon it devolves the only real AID serious
portion of the work of legislation tie elabora-
ton of the laws and the responsible! OF defend
ing them and obtaining their acceptance before
the Legislative body. By the Constitution oil
the YEAR VIII, the first Consul appointed and
revoked the Councillors of State. But he could
only choose them from list of notablities drawn
I'D and agreed upon by the whole body OF elec'
tors. Under Charles X. and Louis Philippe, the
members of the Council of State were appointed
directly by the King. Under the Constitution
of ls4s, they were selected by the National AS
sembly. BY the new Constitution, they ema-
nate directly from the sovereign will of Louis
Napoleon.
The division of the Council OF State into six
sections-that of legislation, Of affairs in litiga-
ton, of the interior, and public instruction, OF
public works, agriculture and commerce, of war
and the navy, and of the finances, IS almost iden-
teal with that of the Council Of the YEAR VIII
Under Louis Philippe, there was section cor
responding to each department or ministry. Dur
ing the Republic, there were but three grand Sec
tions, but that of administration was subdivided
into committees corresponding to the ministries.
In addition to the forty Councillors appointed,
and who are divided into the six sections just
enumerated, subsequent decree has promulga-
ted the names of eleven Councillors not belong
ing to those sections hors s1etions.) Their func
tions are rather advisatory than deliberative.
Being chosen from among persons, holding Ugh
offices, their experience renders their coopUa-
ton advantageous. Thus in this portion of he
Council, there is an ex-minister plenipotentiaIy,
a military intendant, director in the custom.
house, a military engineer; the Postmaster
General also belongs to it, as well as a chief
officer in each of the more important ministries
The advice OF these several persons will be val.
liable, when matters, in their respective spe
ciali,ies, come up for discussion.
This idea of appointing extra members to the
Council of State is also borrowed from the FRS,
Consul. 1t originated in the following manner
The Minister of the Interior, the Project OF Pc
lice and several councillors were one day dis
cussing informally in the Cabinet of Bonaparte
sundry pro ects relative to the regulation of the
butchers and bakers. The propositions OF the
Project were supported by Bonaparte, but were
strenuously opposed by the Councillors present
"Well, Dubois, said the Consul, 1--WE will
examine your ideas thoroughly, in full Council,
and you shall attend the session, to explain and
defend them" On its being objected that the
Project of Police could not be present at the sit
tings of the Council, Bonaparte Immediately die.
tated decree by which NJ Dubois, was ap'
pointed Councillor OF State, on account of his
services, without, nevertheless, belonging to any
section or committee. In 1906, there were five
such extraneous councillors: Dubois Chief Jus
tice Muraire, two projects of departments, and
member of the Institute.
During the Consulate and the Empire, the
Consulor Emperor was President OF the Council
OF State When absent his place was taken by
the Vice-President of tina. body. Under the
subsequent monarchical regimes, the Council
was presided BY the Minister of Justice, Keeper
Of the Seals. Under the Republic, it was pre-
sided by the Vice President of the Republican
BOulay de la Meurthe. Under the new Consti-
tuition, Louis Napoleon presides er.ofeiO NJ.
Baroche being Vice President. The members
of the new Council are taken principally from
the National Assembly and the last Council of
State. Their salary is to be $1,000 year.
The Senate has likewise been filed since nv
last letter Though this body may consist of
$50 members, so only are to be admitted the
first wear, according to the Constitution, Nax