The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-04
TIE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE.

fire. Many times these attempts but for rain Nigh,
have been successful.
The CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE.
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Ancient and Modern Governments of Franco
NapOleOn's Rulc--POwers md Duties Of the
Various Branches-The Senate and Corps
LeSislatif-The New RefOrms-HOw They
Affect the Emperor's Power.
From the time OF the first Of the Bourbon race
down to the period of the French Revolution ana
the execution OF Louis XVI France boosted OF an
unbroken dynasty. The revolution gave birth to
the several successive experiments OF the States
General Constituent Assembly, Legislative As
sembly and the Republic and Convention, which
ended IN the reign of terror. Then came the Drec.
tory, the Consulate and the Empire under Napoleon.
Foreign bayonets restored the Bourbons in 1914
Louis XVIII. was succeeded by Charles x, whose
dethronement in 1880, was followed by the accession
to the throne Of the younger branch in the person
Louis Philippe. The social grievances and political
errors which characterized the Bourbon regime
terminated in the CONFUSION Of 1S4s which drove
the King and his court from France, and inaugu.
rated a provisional government, with Lamartine at
its head. Then followed the National Assembly,
elected by universal suffrage the adoption OF con-
sttution and the election Of Louis Napoleon as Pres
ident Of the French republic. troubled existence
Of q few years convinced the wise heads of France
that the experiment was an abortion, and that
stronger and more durable government was required
to master the elements Of dlscord which threatened
anarchy and ruin to the country. The President of
the republic appreciated the gravity Of the stua-
ton, aud determined to forestsll the necessities
OF the nation by attempting 10 put into execution
the favorlte scheme Napoleon l. and reconcile In
France personal ana political liberty and equality
before the law with hereditary throne The cele.
brated coup detat the result OF this determine.
tion-the constitution OF 1Sas was overthr0wn--
and the people ratified the assumption Of imperial
power by vote Of 1884, 1870 against 253,145
The Emperor recognizing the Duke Of aeichstadt,
the only issue Of Napoleon l., as Napoleon H.,
assumed, as the hereditary successor OF his uncle
and cousin, the title Of Napoleon LII. In 1853 he es
poused the present Empress Eugene, Countess
OF TeDa. and daughter Of Count de Montijo,
Senator and grandee Of Spain. The promising
young Prince Imperial is the only issue OF this mar.
rlage, and is heir presumptlve to the throne of
France, case Of his death and in default OF other
issue the succession falls to Prince Napoleon, son Of
Prince Jerome and cousin TO the Emperor. From
the revival Of the imperial dignity IN the person Of
INT TO tine present time the empire has
be admitted, under II France has become one OF the
nist na. ions in Europe and has experienced reign
Of tranquility ana prosperity unknown in her pre-.
Such, In few words, is a historical outline OF
monafehieal, revolutionary and imperial France
down TO TINS year or grace 1859, when a new and
powerful party springs up, demanding legisla.
tive reforms. claiming democratic institutions,
universal suffrage aud the sacrifice OF personal
power and ume-hon0red prerogative as an earn.
est OF the liberal aspirations OF the people and
aware that the history OF France Is familiar to al
most every reader, yet we have ventnred to Indulge
m this eursoiy review before examining briefly the
civil government Of the present empire. rhe work
lags of an administration, which promised at IT'S
oQtset the reconciliation OF the ideas OF empire
with the spirit q liberal Institutions must possess
R sa@say ass G s ~ 5S
patible With the Wishes Of the naton, as they are
no longer in accordance with the promises OF the
ruler the progressive tendencies OF the governed
France has prOspered under Imperialism; Is she now
prepared to go on prospering under reforms
which are tending TO move liberal institutional
fhe genius OF the peaceful arts and the genius or
war, y the boosted heritage OF modern France and,
according 10 Napoleon, the two essential elements
Of empire are no less available and important in the
opinion OF the opposition, as fundamental corhpo.
nents Of popular government.
The French empire Is governed by the Emperor,
conlorlty WIN tne senate the corps Legslatlf and
The Council Of state; The executive prerogatiyes
In the exercise Of royal authority France has had
| both reason 10 appiand the Wisdom and moderation
the expressions Of the despOt The annual dotation
OF the crown amounts TO 25,00o,ooo francs; be-
museums ewes & .' bsongnS 70 the sas ne
Emperor exercises sort OF paterna authority over
,s princes ana Of The imperial family
| an annual dotation OF 1900, 900 francs.
| Tue senate Is composed OF about 10 members,
| appointed Tor lie by the Emperor, aud allowed
! $4,000 francs per annum. The president and vice
presidents OF this worthy body are named annually
cent 10 fecompense for his ministerial sacrifice.
Inc Senators, presumed 10 DO true friends to the
empire are entrusted 10 a certain extent with the
guardianship and Interpretation OF the constitution,
regulating under the Inspirations OF Napoleon all
questions not specially provided for by that nstru.
| inent ana refusing their sanction to laws or pro-
Jects ia violation tnereof or cndaDgering the secu.
rlty OF tue government. They exercise the right Of
vded they do not conflict with It's fundamental prin.
cipies, In which event IL bcomes necessary 10 sub
| init them TO the vote OF the people The senate
| determines on the eXpedency OF the pro.
| mitigation or all bills coming directly from tile
government or previously passed BY the Legislative
| Assembly II aiso consdels the pfoprety OF ques-
lions OF public policy emanatng from the Emperor
| or submitted Oy MN as coming from the people, IL
has the power Of amending senatus consu.tums;
and any senator may effect the presentation OF a re.
port TO the Emperor questions OF national inter-
est. In all the debates oi this body the government
IL represented by ministers or State councillors. The
present French Senate like all previous ones since
| inc empire Is notnng more than docle and will
ing instrument In the hands Of Napoleon for cal ry.
ing out his designs and giving them show OF sena,
| t0rial appreciation. The lalc reforms proposed iu
| his message are TO be considered by this body and
II depends upon his imperial nod whether they will
survive hostile manipulation sufficiently TO ur0ye OF
| any utility to the public. Among other reforms
| mentioned the Emperor promises that his govern
| meny wiz examine In due time certain questions
| which concern the attributes or the Senate
inc Corps LegIslatf numbers 900 members, elected
Tor elk years by universal suffrage IN the proportion
OF one for every $4,000 electors. The Opposition rep
| resent popular vote OF over $500 600 twenty
i've hundred francs per month Is the compensation