, 1870-04-16

ynpolcon's Changes in tho Constl-
trrtAnr.

Nnpcleon's Changes in tho constl-
Tbs PdA 1fau Gazette Of March 30 publishes
the following remarks on the Donapa..e ss,a-
tvs Consut.4n,:
4rencea Of the notifications Which have lust
been made IN the constitution OF the French
senate, 1t " Necessary to bear In mind tbe pe-
culiar position which that body has hitherto
occupied in the ssstcm of the second empire.
Tho key 70 ths constitution Of 1857 is to be
found IN Louis Eapolcona declaration that the
soaA fabric Of Frame had been " regeuerated
BY the revolution Of 80. Ind organized by thc
Emperor > {meaning, Of course, his uncle, and
this organization WAS the ona which best snjt-
ed the temper and conditions OF the peopie.
Iha republic was still in existence when Ibis
neE constitution Was promulgated, the insti-
Otons Of the Empire, including the Senate
and the Council Of State, being first revived
befoEe the Empire itself was re-estabiiahed. d.
The Senate-so LcuiS Napoleon announced in
the proclamation Of the 14th Of January, 1859
-Tas to be g no longer Ike the Chamber OF
Iee1s, but the pale reflex OF the Chamber OF
Deputies, repeating, afte! some days
Of interval the sams discussions N
mother tone 1t was 70 Eli ) great And iude-
pendent ro1s, haTing The constitution Of tie
country under its specil charge
Tho following arc the chief clauses Of the
new measure defining the functions OF tho
Senate:
"AEz1H Is. The Senate is the guardian Of
the fundamental pact and Of the p1blic Ibe7-
ties No law can be promulgated without
having been first submitted tois-
ART 6. The Senate opposes the pronu!-
satiou-atst. Of 1--we which are contraryt or
which involve N attack On the constitution
religion, morality, freedom Of wozzhip, indi-
yidnL kbasty, the equality Of citizens before
the Law, tho inv1oiAtiisy Of ,prupesty. and the
nac! second, lauz which might compromise
the defence Of territory. ...
4A1T. q. The Senste rcgul.tes BY Send
hn CtnszAlaszn-fret. The constitution OF the
colonies and algeria second, Ill that las not
Eeen provided for By The constitution. and
meaning Of the articles Of the constitution
which give rise 70 different interpretations
"ARI. %. The Senate maintains or Aunuls
M the act4 which A7e referred to it BY the gov
e1rmcnt If unconstitutional, OF are denounced
fc1 the sane reason b. the petitions Of citi-
Eens-
.'A7r. 80. Ihe Semitic can, IN report I'd
dressed TO the Emperor, Lay down the bases OF
projects Of laH CT grea; national interest,"
Ar 81. Il can also propose modidcations
IN the constitution II the proposition ID
adopted by tie Executive it is enacted by
"AKT. s.. In the czse Of the dissolution NJ
the Legis!ative body, and until the new convo-
cation, the Senate. On the proposition Of he
President Of the Rernhlic, p.uyidea by mess-
ures Of urgency for III that fe necessaT to tbe
caHying On Of the government"
me se"dius Co7ssatuna which h1s Just been
eI.xn up e1punees Ill these 1.ticles from he
constitution With the exception Of the FIRST
sentence: 1ha Senate is tie guardian Of the
fundamental pact md Of the publit: liberties"
toF The rest tho Ssnate win shazu Legislative
power With the Eupernr and the Chamber Of
Oepnues 3ths lsst having night TO the frat
moeh into the position Of our House Of Lords
Il re11ains to be seen whit viii bs dons with
tho kindred institution -ths Council Of Stase.