The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-02-11
REFORMS IN FRANCE.
LETTER OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO TIL
MINISTER OF STATE.

! MINISTER OF STATE.
PALACE OF TIE TunERHs, 10th JAN, 1867
For some years past it has been asked whethe
our institutions have reached their limit Of perfot
ton or whether further improvements ought to b
| realized; hence has acisen On uncertainty muc
| end to-, n ''~ go go " ~ p'' - =
Hitherto it has been your dnty to struggle cour
mands, and to leave to mo the initiative Of usefu
REFORMS, when the proper mome2t should arrive
AZ present, believe il possible te give to tue in
sItutons OF the empire all the dovclopnaont O
which they are susceptible, and to the public lib
critics Q further exhaustion, without COMPROMISING
the authority which the nation has confided to me-
The plan which have traced out Tor mvael J
consists in correcting the imperfections which
time has revealed and in introducing tho improve
| ing consists in proiting by the experience &C.
CURED, and in foreseeing tho wants of the future
The object OF the decree Of the 24th November
1850, was to associate the Senate and the Legisa,
tive Body more directly in the policy Of the Gov
ernment, but the discussion on the Address has
not produced the results which were expected from
It,. 1t has occasionally useessly intiamed public
opinion, given rise to unproAtable discussions and
caused the loss Of considerable time, valuable for
e oesse I tha Without weakening the
ton, wisely regulated.
sary in the relations of tho Government WITH The
great Bodies of the State. have thought that
6y sending the Ministers into tho Senate and the
II,
to take part in oertain discussions would better
utilize the strength OF my Government without de-
parting from the terms Of tho Constitution, which
admits no joint responsibility between the Minis
ters, and makes Them dependent solely on the
Chief OF the State.
But the reforms which it is proper to adopt
ought not to stop there. A bill viii bo proposed
to confer exclusively the Correctional tribunals
jurisdiction IN case Of Press offences, and thus to
ment. It is equally necessary to regulate, iegiaa
tlveiy, the right OF meeting still keeping it within
the Limits which pubic safety requires. SAID last
firm ground, capableiof supporting authority and
liberty. BY the measures which have just indi-
gated, my words are realized; do not disturb the
gerity have consolidated; strengthen them fur fur
ther by drawing closer together my relstions with
the tn great public Powers by assuring by the law to
al citizens fresh guarantees; by achieving in fine
the crown1ng or the edidce raised by the national
haTa e Els Ss sspas il ns aSS
TIE DECREE
His Majesty's htter is followed by the following
Imperial decree
Napoleon, by the grace Of God and the national
VIII, Emperor Of the French.
10 al whom these presents may concern greet
ing: a.. 1-
Wishing TO give to the discussions in the great
OF The government greater utility and precision,
we do hereby iec-aa: 80
ARTICLE 1. The members OF the Senate and Of
the Legislative BodJ maS address interpretations
to the government: ~
ART 2. Any tem and to exercise that right must
be made in writing and signed by five members at
least, and must contain summary Of the object
OF the questions to be put; it must be delivered to
the President, who will communicate it to the
Minister Of State and refer it to the Bureaus for
Art. 8. II two Bureaus Of the Senate, or four of
the Legislative Body, express the opinion that the
questions may be brought forward, the Chamber
will fix q day for the discussion.
ART. 4. After the close OF the debate the Cham
Der pronounces the order Of the day pure and sim
pie, or refers the matter to the government,
Art. s. Tho order Of the dny, pure and simple,
has always the priority. n.
AIT. 6. The reference to the Government can
only be pronounced in the following terms tsThe
Senate Cor the Legislative Body, calls the atten-
ton Of the Government to the object of the inter-
pelation" In that case, extract Of the delbera-
tions is transmitted to the Ministry Of State,
ART z. Each OF the Ministers may, by special
authority Of the Emperor, be charged, in CON
and Ministers of the Council OF State, to represent
the Government before the Senate or Legislative
lReay Z ths S discussion of business or par
Ahr. s: Are abrogatod articles and Of our
decree Of the gath November, 1860, which declare
that the Senate aud the Legislative Body shall vote
every venr at the opening Of the session an ad-
dress in reply to the speech from the Throne
ART. 8. Our Minister Of State is charged with
the execution Of the present decree N
Done at the Palace Of the Tuieries, this 10th
day Of January, 1867. NAPOLEON.
s(Countersigned) l3l +. Z.