The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-02-11
+. RouHlsB, Minister Of State.

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION.
The Monieur appends the following explanar
tory statement regarding the important measures
specified above: . ...ee.5y=s..=.
words wiz to explain e. :; spirit PR sss end
November, 1860, in introducing into the French IN
sttutions the annual vote Of an address, had for it's
object to associate the great bodies OF the State
more directly with the policy OF the Government.
That measure, swhich anticipated public aplnlon,
was received as new and striking testimony Of
the Sovereigns liberal initiative and OF his wish to
found representative government on solid bases.
There could be no question Of weakening the i'm
portant position of the Chambers, but ION the
CONTRARY, to render it more practical and more ef
ticacous in freeing it from the which
six years. experience had manifested: Tho de-
bates in the Chambers are incontestably OF q ma
ture to exercise legitimate and sa utary influence
ON the march Of events, when they nave for result
to bring to light public feeling on real and pres
ent interest Bas every one was strnoI WI WIN me
and more to depart from the line traced by the
speech from the Throne to which it was to reply.
Wanting, therefore, precise basis md clearly De-
fined subject, they rum the risk sometimes ofHan-
dering into the region of vague theories and abb
stract ideas; and othar times of losing themselves
der these conditions, they are liable to be inde6-
nitely prolonged, and tend rather TO heat mems
minds than 10 elncidate questions and rather to
favor yerbiage than business, which they deprive
of valuable time. Already their duration has. as
the be
France and that OF other countries could not have
heen expected. (1.) This state Of things has led
to complaints which the Government could not but
take into consideration. The decree proposes
To set aside these inconVeniences, while main
tanning intact the participation Of the Chambers
ofb - hat
the debates could gain in sincerity nnd in public
utility when they are based on O circumscribed
question, known beforehand, bearing on serious
and precise interest is so evident that there ia
need to enlarge on it. Such is the advantage Of in
terpelIationB. The decree, faithful to the spirit
which inspired it. decides that the majority Of the
Bureau ia not necessary 10 authoriZe such de-
rnands. The favorable opinion of two out Of five
in the Senate, and four out Of nine in the legisla-
guarantee that the tribune will be open to every
Cause really worthy Of an exceptional debate The
Chamber can express its opinion in two ways-by
the order of the day, pure and simple, if it finds
the Interpolation groundlesa; and by reference to
the qovetnm3ent, E tha question merits particular
position to know the sentiments of The Chamber,
and to pay the attention to them required by pub
lie interest and it's own responsibility. 10 go
further would be to run the risk Of altering the hGr
mony OF the powers, such as they are regulated by
the COQSGIuu0u huu w 6ACt6Q UlD fdQBe VI D
simple decree The cases in which the Legislative
body and the Senate can express o direot and ab
soIte Judgment, terminating in a vote Of adoption
Or refusal, arc vigorously defined in the fundamen
tai compact. Independently of special laws, those
| Of tho contingent Of the army, supplemental,
credits. and budget furnish every year numerous
occasions for the deputies to regularly exercise
their control over public affairs. The substitution
Of interpretations for the Address has, as a neces
sary consequence, the provisions which conoern
the Ministers and which gives q greater latitud
to the sovereiig4in the designation Of the organ
charged to speak in his name, and in certain cases
more authority to the explanations furnished. Blu
ii was requisite that the terms Of the Constitution
/ Should not be ostpaasod, which, provided thu
the Ministers shall only bo dependent on the Chic
of the State, that they are only responsible each
what concerns himself for the acts Of the Govern
ment: that there is no solidarity among them, an
/ thnt they cannot be members Of the legislatiY
body, Tie decree does not, nor could it, make an
change In these prescl iptions; and, therefore, tn
/ Ministers only present themselves before th
Chambers as delegates from the Chief Of the State
nm tie occasions OF which he will remain the onl
iu1ge: the Council of State however, preseryin
}ts Constitutional role Whnt the country require
above everything is, that truth, justice and tt
general interest may issue triumphantly from tt
66ublio discussions; In that point Of view, tn
aay's decree viii be considered by all mpartl
minds as realizing notable progress"