The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-11
PUBLIC POWERS IN FRANCE.

PUBLIC POWERS IN FRANCE.
The French National Assembly has for some
time past been engaged upon bill defining
public powers in France. The committee
having reported the draft of the bill after q
long and careful consideration it was adopted
July s, by the extraordinary vote Of $40 to 81.
The law is in the nature of constitution and
is in substance as follows:
The Senate and Chamber of Deputies shall
assemble on the first Tuesday in January,
each year, unless previously convoked by the
President of the Republic, and both houses
shall continue in session at least five months
each year, the sessions Of both houses to be-
gin and end together.
The President pronounces the closing Of
the session. He may convoke both houses
in extra session and must do so when de-
manded by one.third Of each house. The
President may at any time adjourn. the As
sembly, but only for term of one month or
less, and only twice during the same session.
If the President dies or resigns the two
houses shall Immediately assemble. and if at
the time, by the application Of the law OF
February Is, 1875, the House Of Deputies
should find themselves dissolved, the Senate
shall at once assemble to take measures that
will insure the convocation of the Electoral
Colleges.
| An assembly of one of the houses without
the other is illegal and null, except in case
the Senate is assembled as Court of Justice,
when it can exercise none but judicial func-
TONS
| The sessions of both houses are to be pub.
lie, but each may resolve itself into secret
committee.
The President Of the Republic communi-
to be read from the tribune by Minister.
Ministers have the freedom of the houses, and
must be heard when they demand the privi-
lege OF speaking
The President Of the Republic promulgates
laws during the month following that in which
they have been defnitively adopted by the As
sembly and transmitted to the government
But if both houses declare q law urgent he
must promulgate it in three days. Pending
delay of PRONUNCIATION the President may de-
mand reconsideration which the Assembly
can not refuse.
The President negotiates and ratifes trea-
ties, informing the Assembly thereof when
the safety and welfare Of the republic permit
it. Treaties of peace and commerce, and
those which involve the finances of the State |
1oto - Aha tat, ne To khol
right Of property Of Frenchmen in foreign |
countries, are not defnitive until adopted by |
the Assembly. No cession, exchange or &C.
QUESTION of territory can be made except in
pursuance and by virtue of law.
The President cannot declare war without
tho previous assent of the Assembly.
Each house is sole judge of the eligibility Of
its members and of the regularity of their cleo
ton.
The officers of each house are elected by it
annually, but in joint session the officers Of
the Senate oficiate.
The President of the Republic can only be
impeached by the House of Deputies and tried
by the Senate. Ministers may be impeached
and tried in like manner for crimes COM
mitted in the exercise of their functions. The
Senate, by decree of the President of the Re-
public, may be cons tituted q court for the
trial of any person accused Of an attempt
against the safety of the State
The accusation, trial and judgment shall be
regulated by law.
No member of either House can be held
accountable on account of opinions and votes
given while in the exercise OF his functions.
No member of either House can, during the
session of the Assembly, be prosecuted or
arrested for crime or misdemeanor, except by
authorization Of the House to which he be-
longs, unless the crime is fragrant The
arrest or prosecution of a me nber is sus-
pended during the session, and for the whole
duration of the Assembly if the House de-
mands the suspension.
This new law or constitution leaves the
imperial power of the President Of the Re-
public undated. Long and anxious debate
developed rooted purpose on the part of the
great majority Of Senators and Deputies not
o subordinate the Executive to the National .
Assembly VI W TIC Poopio, DuI W conInuo ~
MS hands unimpaired the plenary authority
md power which he now Yields.
Some of the members of the Assembly de- {
'ired to assimilate the French to the American
Presidency, but this was pronounced imprac-
icable, owing to tle wide difference in the
character of the people. the traditions. the
sentiments, and the situation Of the two coun- r