The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-13


| by the Emigration Commission.
The Rights of the French Senate.
The rupture lately reported between the
partIslns of GAMBErTA and of Minister
SIMON is an event of capital importance.
The question involved affected not
merely the fate Of particular Cabinet,
but the framework of the French Consti-
tuiion. Does or does not the power of the
purse belong exclusively TO tho lower
branch of the Legislature-that was the
| point Mt issue. Had the view advocated
by the Extreme Left prevailed in the
Chamber OF Deputies, either the functions
Of the Senate would have been nullllcd.
or the existing machinery of government
have been subjected to violent dislocation.
The incident which gave rise to the late
crisis nj first excited little attention. Some
time ago the Chamber of Deputies. by an
amendment to the money bill. threw out
certain sums allotted Ly previous law to
military chapans. The opponents Of this
measure refused TO accept their defeat rs
conclusive, and expressed the hope that
the Senate would reject it, whereas its adj
| vocates insisted that n decision of the lower
| House in such matters was irrevocabe. As
| n matter of fact, the Senate declined to
ratify the amendment, aud when. last
week, the bill was sent back to the Cham
Der, split occurred in the ranks of the
majority. and the appropriation was re-
| stored. Nevertheless, strong minority
took ground with GAMBErrA, that the
upper House had exceeded its constitu-
tional functions.
II seems 10 be clear that the position OF
the Extreme Left upon this question is UNI
! tenable, and that the action of VI. SIMON
Is vndicatcd by the analogy Of other couu-
tries and by the Parliamentary traditions
Of France. II is true that the privilege Of
modifying money bills has not been exer-
ci-ci during long period 10y the English
House of Lords; but Mr.. GLADSTONE has
expressly stated that he regar led the right
as dormant. and not extinct. With two
exceptions. however, all European States
Whose organic law is embodied III written
Constitution, give the upper House of the
Legislature the power Of revising or
amending financial measures. Ii is so in
Denmark. Bel. I'm. ana Bavaria. IN Italy,
and Portugal; and the several charters
which have + oln time 10 time been pro-
| mulgated in spain are TO the same effect.
With Prussia and Holland 1t is other
| wise; but there tho limitations OF the
higher chamber are distinctly aud cate
gorcllly defined. We need scarcely add
'n"' III ."e S".'''i ''"'oS' ""'io 'io 'n''''-
Nco' '""S "nev''"i revenue p9lonSs 10
'hc iiou'c % H'P' 'se"'"'''c'' 'no oe"'tc
- III "oSi'S ~ P'"P'So anu "'o'' ni .nu-
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