The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-18

SESATUs CONsULTUM, says the Philadel-
phia Press, is a civil law term, and origin
ally signifed decree or decision of the
Roman Senate which had the force of law.
It came into use after the population had
become too great to meet for deliberatiye
purposes, and were compelled to trust their
public affairs to the consultation of the
Senate. The term has nearly the same
Specification as applied by the French The
meaning has simply been enlarged so as to
cover both the proposition and the final de-
cree. We give the plan Of that now I'M
dergoing discussion in the French Senate,
as sketchcd by the Opinion Rationale:
ARTICLE |. The Emperor and the Corps
LcgislatJ have the initiative in the forma-
ton of all laws.
ARTICLE 2. The Ministers depend only
from the Emperor. They deliberate in
council under his presidency. They are
responsible. They can only be subjected
to an accusation emanating from the
| Senate.
ARTICLE3. The Ministers can be members
of the Senate or the Corps Legislatif. They
have entrance to both assemblies and must
be granted hearing when demanded.
ARTICLE4. The sittings Of the Senate arc
public. A request made by five members
sufIices to establish a secret committee. Tho
Senate arrangcs its internal operations.
ARTICLE 5. The Senate can suggest any
suitable notifications to be applied to 8
project Of law, and can decide that the same
be returned to the Corps Legislatif and
submitted to a fresh course of delibcration
It can in all cases, by reported resolution
oppose the PRONUNCIATION of law.
ARTICLE 6. The Corps Lcgislatif arrangcs
it's own internal operations. At the open
ing of each session it shall appoint its owl
president, vice-presidcnt, and secretaries
1t appoints its own questors.
ARTICLE I. Every member Of the Senate
or of the Corps Legislatif has the right Of
addressing an Interpolation to the Govern
ment. All reported orders of the day car
can be adopted. The Government reserves
the right of returning the reported order Of
the day to the Office when it may be deemed
advisable.
ARTICLE s. No amendment can be delibc
rated if it has not previously been submit
ted to the commission charged with the ex-
animation Of proposed laws, and communi-
Gated to the Government. When the amend,
mcnt is not accepted by the Government II
is notified by the Council of State; the Corps
Lcgislatif then pronounccs definitely.
ARTICLE 8. The Budget of costs is present
cd to the Corps Legisiatif in chapters and
articles. The Budget of each ministry il
noted by chapter, conforming to the nomcn'
clature affixed to the present ScnotuS con
SWtum.
ARTICLE 10. Future notifications il
reference to customs duties or postal tariff
by reason of international treaties can only
be obligatory by virtue of a law passed to
that effect.
ARTICLE II. The relations of the Senate
the Corps Lcgislatil, and Of the Council Of
State, with the Emperor, and with cacl
other respectively, are defined by an lmpc
rial decree.
ARTICLE II. All dispositions contrary tc
the present Senatus consuitun are hereby
repealed, and especially those of articles
(second paragraph), s, l3, a (sccond para
graph), rs, 40, As, and Al, of the Constitu
ton. and the first of the Scnatus conSultun
of December 81, 1861.