Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-10
THE NEW FRENCH CONsTITuTInN

ture and OF paramount Importance
THE NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION.
| We give below the new constitution promulgated BIZ
the President. The Lordon Times well remarks tba
this Is rather the outline OF sche me than complete
work. and that much will depend on the varioss la VIZ
DEGREES and senatus Consuus by which the project is
| to be completed.
is worthy of note that though all other public
officers are required to take the oath of obedience
! to the constitution and fidelity to the President a
oath OF allegiance on the Presidents part is PROVIDE
| for.
There are other features of this constitution so alien
10 the principles OF representative and republican gov,
| eminent that they cannot fail TO darken the pros-
poets of liberty in France. We may refer to them
4 hereafter,
The constitution is prefaced BY an explanatory ad.
dress from the President, for which we cannot make
room to-day.
| CONSTITUTION.
The following Is The new Constitution az trorruj.
gated on the morning of January 81 in the Monjteur
in virtue OF the powers delegated by the French peo
pc to Louis Napoleon Bonaparte by the vote of the
Aoh and list OF December, 1851 ::
"Ihe President of the Republic, considering that
the French People has been called 10 pronounce on
| the following resolution, ,ylz:-"The people wish
| the maintenance OF the authority of Louis Napoleon
! Bonaparte, and give him the necessary mowers TO
| make Constitution the basis established in his
proclamation OF the I'd Of December; considering that
the basis proposed for the acceptance of The peonle
~. A responsible Chief named for 10 wears:
so. Ministers dependent on the Executive power
| alone; f0"ei
"3. Council of State formed of The most d,st,n-
gushed men, preparing the laws and maintaining the
discussion on them in the Legislative CORPS;
4. "A LeelsiahVe Corps, discussing and voting the
laws, named by universal suffrage without the sra,
tim de tiste, which fasifies the eeciion u
5. A Second Assembly, formed of all the distin
gushed men OF the country bal ancing power guar
dian OF the fundamental pact and of the public inter-
esls; and considering that the people have answered
afirnatlvely by 100000 sufrages, he promulgates
the constitution, tile tenor OF which is as follows
Art l. The constitution recognises, confirms and
guarantees the great principles proclaimed in 1889
and which form the basis of the public rights of the
French people. O
SECTION 2-fo'7ns Of the Government of the Repub-
Art. z The Government of the French Republic il
entrusted TO Prince Louis Napoleon Bonapare actual
PRESIDENT OF the Republic for 10 years.
AT ., Inc President OF the Republic governs. by
means OF the Ministers, the Council OF State, the Sc
| nate, and the Legislative body.
Art. A. The Legislative power is exercised c.lIee-
lively by the President OF the Republic, the Senate,
| and the Legislative body.
SECTION 3-Of the President of the RepubEc
Art. s. The President Of the REPUBLIC ia respons.
bic 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
ana commercial alliances, and makes the rules and
DEGREES tor the execution of the laws.
Art. z Justice Is rendered IN his name
Art 8. He alone has the initiative of the laws.
Art y. He has the right To pardon.
n Art. 10. He sanctions and promuleates the laws
End the Senatus- Consultus.
Art H. He presents the state of affairs of the Re-
public evsry year to the Senate and Legislative BODY
by message.
Art II. He has right to declare IL. state IF sece
IA one or severa departments, the condition OF re-
ferrins to the Senate with The shortest DELAY The
consequences OF the state of sege are regulated by
the law -
Art. ~. The Ministers depend solely on the Chief
VI the Slate Each is responsible only as lsr the
ae.s OF the Government regard him. There is soil
(m.s en- as1.sation) by the Senate.
Aft.He!I The Ministers, members Of the Senate, the
Leg live body, and the Council of State the officers
o n IL land and sea forces. the magistrates, and the
public fupcionares, take the following oath =
swear obedience 10 the constitution and fidelity to
the President.
Art A senatus Consutus fixes the sum allowed
annually to the President OF the Republic for the en-
tire duration OF his functions.
Art. l6. Should the President of the Republic die
before the expiration of his Office (ma,dat, the Senate
convokes the nation to proceed TO a new election
Art. IL The Chief of the State has a right BY
secret act deposited in the archives of the state to
point out to the people the name of the citizen he
comments 10 the inerea OF France to the confidence
OF the people and to its sufrages.
Art. Is. Until the election of the new Pres dent OF
the Republic, The President OF the Senate governs
with the concurrence Of the Ministers in office, who
FORM themselves INTO Government Council, and de-
liberate by majority OF votes.
SECTION 4.-OF THE SENATE.
Arr ~. The numbar OF the Senators cannot exceed
30. It is fixed at so for the fist year
Art 90. The Senate is composed, LIST, of The car
dinas, marshas, admras I'd, 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 grauitous,
nevertheless, the President of the Republic may ac-
cord the Senators, by of tie services render
ed and OF their position respects fortune, per-
sona donation, which shall exceed 80 000f year
Art. "a. The President and Vice Presidents of The
Senate are named by the President of the Republic,
and chosen among the Senators They are named
for one year. The salary OF the President OF the Sem
ate is fixed by decree.
Art. "a. The Pres dent of the Republic COW kes
and preogues the Senate lie fixes The duration OF it's
session BY decree. The stings of the Senate are
not public.
Art. IS The Senate is The guardian Of ,ba funda
mental pact and oi the public liberties No law can
be published before being submitted 10 il
Art. 70 Inc Senate opposes the publlcaen-lst, of
laws which may be contrary to or affect the cons!
tion religion, morals, the liberty of worship The Ebeuv
OF peroos, equality OF the citizens before the laws in
yiooabiliy OF property, and the principle of the inno
bitite OF The ma stracy; Cd OF those which NAV en-
danger the safety OF the territory
Art. 81 The Senate regulates by Se4,atus Com
sntns: l. The constitution of the colonies and al AL
geria @ All that has not been provided tor hv the
constitution, and which is necessary 10 its maintenance
8; The Specification OF ar ieles of the constitution
which may give rse TO various interpretations.
Art. ~. These Sefaatns ConsnAeS shall be submit
ted tie sanction OF the President of The Rennhc
and promulgated by him.
Art. 60 The Senate maintains or annus all the acts
which may be submitted to Unconstitutional by
the Government or denounced for ina same cause in
petitions from the citizens.
Ar. 80; The Senate en-, in q report address, to
the President OF me Republic, fix the basis of projects
Of law of great national interest
Art. 81. II can also propose notifications to tn -
constitution: II the proposition isadopted by the Elk
ecave power, IL sta'ec SO by Senatus Consnlefns
Art. 3d. Nevertheless al odiieatens of the iunda~
mental basis OF The constitution shall be submitted
universal suffrage, such as they have been enune sted
10 me proelamalioh OF "a December and adopted by
the French people,
Art. 49, In oftte dissolution ofths Legislative
Corps, and Till another co1voe alton lhe Senate on the
proposition OF he President Of the Republic provides
by measures Of urgency for all that is necessary or
carrying on the government.
SECTION 5-OF THE LEGISLATIVE CoRPs.
AIT. "a. The election has The population Tor basis.