New-York tribune., 1867-02-07
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
FRANCE.
THE IMPERIAL DECREE.

THE IMPERIAL DECREE.
Prom Our Special Correspondent
The Imperial letter and decree published in the
Mopiter of the20th are the themes of all serious dis
course here and must be of this letter. YOu will OBJ
serve that the Emperor represents the constitutional
notifications as the complement of the decree of
November a. 1850 That decree granted TO the Corps
Legisatf (as privileged the right of voting and dis
cussng an address in reply to the annual throne
speech. Taken in connection with the permission to
pint reports of the Legislatif debates quite the
chiefest political reform initiated by this Govern
ment since its origin. If not very long STEP still it
was a step in the right direction. Every year since
there has been rumor of other notifications. Wise
men have been heartsickened by the long-deferrcd
hope Last Summer you will recollect a senatus con-
si,lt or organic law was voted by the Senate, not
TO defend the Constitution from attacks, against
which it was guarded by severely restrictive
and suppressiYe laws, but to surround 1t, as it
were. with an inner wall impenetrable to all
discussion and an outer decentralization OF
pitfalls aud man-traps This measure looked like
a step backward 1t was regarded as the Imperial
response. especially directed to the author Of an
amendment TO the address which suggested in the
most respectful terms the propriety Of beginning
gradually 10 develop the germs of modern liberty
that seemed TO lie in the decree of 1862 The authors
OF this amendment all supporters of the Govern
ment. 1hcy os.ly argued in general that the time
had for loosening the IigOr Of the laws the
press and on the right of public meeting and Of en-
largng the relations between the Executive and the
Legislative by admitting Ministers with portfolios to
explain and defend mcasurosnespecting their various
departments in legislative debate. Ii currently
believed, until the set0us consul appeared, that the
Emperor was intending to accompany it with other
measures. one OF which IS now presented in the de-
cree Of last Saturday
Let Us try 70 see What this decree means It's one
entirely visible feature is that the night Of voting the
address conceded in 1860 Is withdrawn 1t grants as
substitute the right of Interpolation that is OF MT
Gpgeae5iops to Government under the following con-
dtions; The interpolation must in the first place
definitely state IN writing the object of tho inquiry
be signed by at least five members, handed TO the
presiding officer who communicates it to the Minis
ter OF State, and RENTS IL for examination TO the Bu-
reaux the members Of the Senate and Of the Legis-
laturc are dydedhe first into four the other into
nine BureaH1 or SeetiOns-a sort Of permanent
standing general committees. the formation of which
is tho first business Of each session. and whose ses
Sons are secret the assent of two Of the Senate or
fOnT Of tho House bureaux IS necessary preliminary
70 public discussion Of the Interpolation; when the
discussion is closed the Chamber votes either the
order Of the day, pure and simple OF the refer
Of the motion OF inquiry to Government in the
following terms The Senate Tor Legislative Body
calls the attention Of Government to the subject of
the interpellatiOnsP Any Of the Ministers may, by
special delegation Of he Emperor, DO charged along
with the Minister of State, the President aud mem
bers Of the Council Of State, TO represent Govern
ment in debates Of The Senate and House
These second features Of the substitute for the adj