New-York tribune., 1867-02-06
FRANCE.

| Emperor to the Minister Of State:
"PAEAcE OF THE TUfLERIEs, Jan. 10.
| MONSIEUR lie MINIsTRE: For some years past the
question has been asked whetheT our institutions
have attained their limit of Improvement or whether
new improvements are to be realized. Hence la
mentable uncertainty which it is important to re-
move. =,
"Up to the present you have had TO strive
courageousy in order 10 repel inopportune demands
and to leave with the initiative of useful reforms
when the time should arrive And now / believe
that it is possible to give to the institutions Of the
Empire all the development of which they ore capa
ble and to the public liberties extension, with
out compromising the power which the nation has
intrusted to me.
I" The plan which have traced out TO myself con-
slsts in correcting the imperfectiOns which time has
revealed, and in admitting that progress which is
compatible with habits for to govern to profit
by the experience which has been acquired, and to
foresee the wants of the future
1.-The object of the Decree of the oath Of November,
1866 was 10 associate the Senate and Corps Legislatn
more directly with the policy of the Government but
the debate the Address has not led TO the results
which were to be expected from itit has sometimes
needlessy excited public opinion given rise to sterile
discussions and oecasioned loss of time most pre-
cous for the affairs of the country and believe that
without any dimiDuton of the prerogatives Of the
deliberative powers the Address may be replaced by
the privilege, prudently regulated of putting Ques-
tions to the Government
Another modification has appeared to me neces-
sary in the relations OF the Government toward the
great bodies of the State have considered that by
sending the Ministers to the Senate and the Corps
Legslatif to take part in certain debates by virtue
of q special commission / should better utilize the
strength of the Government without deviating from
the terms of the Constitution which admits no solid
arity among the Ministers, and makes them depend
ent only upon the chief of the State.
"But the reforms which it is fitting to adopt must
not stop there law will be proposed for assigning
the jurisdiction over Offenses against the press law
exclusively to the Correctional Tribunals, and thus
suppress the discretionary power of the Government.
1t is equally necessary to regulate legislatyey the
right Of assembly, while restraining it within the
limits Which public safety demands.
Il said last year that my Government wished to
walk upon ground consolidated and capable of sus-
tanning power and liberty. by the measures have
just pointed out my words become realized. / do
nos shake the ground which Is years of calm and
nrosneTity have consolidated, but i increase the
sbencth by rendering my relations with the great
pubNc powers more intimate by securing to the citi
zens IN law fresh guarantees, by completing the
croV-nine # the edifice erected by the national will
"On This Monsieur lie Ministre, pray God TO have
you in His holy k eplng' NAfoLhoNt
The following is tn full text of the Decree which
accompanies the letter Of he Emperor;
Napoleon. by the grace of Or d and the national will
Emperor of the French, to all plSsent ana 10 come
greeting Wishing to give TO the dfs!c cne-;ciis me
great bodies of the State, relative to the home and
forei gn policy the Government, more utility and
precision. we have decieed and decree what fol
lows:
a.
Corps Legisatf may put questions to the Govern
rnent
"ART O. Every demand for addressing questions
to the Government must be written signed by five
members at least Ths'demand will briefly explain
the object of the questions and will be handed to the
President, who win communicate it to the Minister
of State and refer it TO the Committee for examna
ton.
"ART. g. II two committees Of the sepate, or four
committees Of the Corps Legislatif deliver the opin-
ion that the questions may be put, the Chamber will
fix day for their discussion. ~
art 4. Upon the close of the debate the Chamber
will either simply declare the order of the day. or re-
fer the questions TO the Government.
"ART g. The simple order Of the day will always
have priority.
"ATT. 8. The reference TO the Government can only
be made in the following terms The Senate Tor the
the Corps Legisat9 calls tue attention Of the Gov
eminent to the OBJ ject of the questions In this case
a summary Of the debate will also be transmitted to
the Minister OF State.
"ART. 7, Any of the Ministers may, II specially
delegated by the Emperor be charged in concert with
the Minister of State and the Presidents end MEM
bers Of the Council Of State to represent the Govern
nent in the Senate or Corps Legisatf during debates
Oh general questions or bills.
"ART g. Articles and 2 OF our decree of the 2lth
of November 1860, providing that the Senate and
Corps Legslatif shall every year, at the opening OF
the session. vote an address III reply to speech,
are hereby repealed
'ARr. o. Our Minister Of State is charged with the
execution of the present decree.
"Done at the Palace Of the Tuileries, Jan. 10,
"By the Emperor, NAPOLEON.
"Tho Minister of State, f. RoUHEE."
MINISTERIAL RESERVATIONS.
An the ministers placed their designations In the
hands of the Emperor on the 10Th.
NJ Rouh er retains his functions as Minister OF
State, and is, moreover. appointed Minister, OF
| Finance In place )fM FOuld whose resignation has
| been accepted Marshal Mel is appointed Minister
| of War; Admiral Rieaqld QenOuilly Is named
Minister Of Marine and NJ. DE Fofcade la R0quette,
| Minister Of Agriculture, Commerce, and Pqbhc
Works. M Behic, who held the latter post, has been
made senator and Grand Cross Of the Legion OF
| Honor. The Emperor has not accepted the resigna-
ton of either the Ministers Of State Justice the Inn
| keual Househod, Public Instruction, Interior or
the Council of State and these Ministers therefore
retain their respective portfolios
THE PRESS ON THE REFoRMs.
The Monitetr says the Government is strongly de-
srous of submitting to the appreciation of the great
bodies of the State the motives which determine its
conduct In foreign policy. The debates OH the ad-