Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-16
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
THE NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION,

THE NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION.
The Constitution. The following is the new
Constitution, rs promulgated on the 18th in
the Won,teur, in virtue of the powers delegated
by the French people to Louis Napoleon Bona
parte by the vote of the goth and 2lst of De-
cember 1851:
The President of the Republic, considering
that the French people have been called to pro-
nounce on the following resolution, viz; The
people wish the maintenance of the author ty
OF Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, and give him the
necessary powers to make Constitution on the
basis established in his proclamation of the I'd
OF December; considering that the basis pro-
posed for the acceptance of the people were
/. A responsible chief named for ten years
@ Ministers dependent on the Executive
power alone
8. A Council Of State formed of the most dis
tinguished men, preparing the laws and main
tanning the discussion on them in the Legsla-
tive corps.
A. A Legislative Corps, discussing and voting
the laws, named by universal suffrage, without
the scrutsn de liste, which falsfes the election.
5. Second Assembly, formed of all the dis
tinguished men of the country, balancing
power, guardian of the fundamental pact and
of the public interests and considering that
the people have answered afirmatively by
100000 suffrages he promulgates the Consti-
tuition, the tenor of which is as follows:
SECTION l.
Art. l. The Constitution recognises, con-
firms, and guarantees, the great principles pro-
claimed in 1889, and which form the basis of
the public rights of the French people.
SECTION I.--FoRMs OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE REPUBLIC. six.
Art. 2. The Government of the French Re-
public is intrusted to Prince Louis Napoleon
Bonaparte, actual President of the Republic
for ten years.
Art 8. The President of the Republic gov
erns by means of the Ministers, the Council of
State the Senate, and the Legislative body.
Art. 4. The Legislative power is exercised
collectively by the President of the Republic,
the Senate, and the Legislative body.
SECTION III.--oF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC.
Art 5. The President of the Republic is re-
ponsible to the French people, to whom he has
always right to appeal. :.
Art. 6. The President of the Republic is the
Chief of the State. He commands the land
and sea forces, declares war, concludes treaties
of peace, political and commercial alliances,
and makes the rules and DEGREES for the execu-
ton of the laws
Art 7. Justice is rendered in his name.
Art. 8. He alone has the initiative of the
laws.
Art. 8. He has the right to pardon.
Art. 10. He sanctions and promulgates the
laws and the Senatus- ConsulteS.
Art. IL. He presents the state Of affairs Of
the Republic every year, to the Senate and
Legislative body, by message.
Art. IL. He has right to declare the state
of siege in one or several departments, on the
condition of referring to the Senate with the
shortest delay. The consequences of the state
of siege are regulated by the law.
Art. 13. The Ministers depend solely on the
Chief of the State. Each is responsible only
as far as the acts Of the Government regard
him. There is no solidarity between them.
They can only be impeached (mis en- accuSa-
tion) by the Senate.
Art. IA. Ministers, members of the Senate,
the Legislative body and the Council of State,
the officers of the land and sea forces, the
magistrates, and the public functionaries, take
the following oath: ~ swear obedience to the
Constitution, and fidelity to the President"
Art. Is. A Sendt,@-C ConsuiteS fixes the sum
allowed annually to the President of the Re-
public, for the entire duration of his functions.
Art. is. Should the President of the Repub-
lie die before the expiration of his Office, IMAM
dat the Senate convokes the nation to proceed
to new election.
Art. II. The Chief of the State has right,
by secret act deposited in the archives of the
State, to point out to the people the name OF
| the citizen he recommends, in the interest Oh
France to the confidence of the people and TO
its suffrages.
Art Is. Until the election of the new Presi-
dent Of the Repablic the President of the Sem
ate governs, with the concurrence Of the Min
listers in Office, who form themselves into Gov
ernment Council. and deliberate by majority
of votes.
SECTION Iy.--oF THE SENATE.
Art. 49, The number of the Senators cannot
exceed l50 1t is fixed at 80 for the first year
Art. 90 The Senate is composed, first, Of the
Cardinals, Marshals Admirais; second. of the
citizens whom the President of the Republic
deems fit to elevate to the dignity of Senator.
Art. 81. The Senators are not removable
and are for life.
Art %. The functions of Senator are gratu-
itous; nevertheless, the President of the Repub-
lie may accord the Senators, by reason of the
services rendered, and of their position as re-
spects fortune, a personal donation, which shall
not exceed 100000 yearly.
Art. %. The President and Vice Presidents
of the Senate are named by the President Of
the Republic, and chosen amongst the Senators.
They are named for one year. The salary of
the President of the Senate is fixed by de-
cree.
Art. "a. The President of the Republic con-
vokes and prorogues the Senate. He fixes the
duration Of its session by decree The sit
tings of the Senate are not public.
Art. 25. The Senate is the guardian of the
fundamental nact and Of the nnhlic liberties