The Leavenworth weekly times., 1879-02-06
0Meek1p Gimes
THURSDAY FEBRUARR c. 1879.
FRANCE.


A. the telegraph Informed us briefly,
few days since, Marshal MscMahon has
resigned the Office Of President of the Re
public of France, and NJ. Jules Grevy has
been elected to the position. The President
in France is not chosen by popular vote,
nor, as in this country, by electors chosen
for that purpose, but is selected BY the
members of the Senate and Chamber of
Deputies-corresponding to one Congress
in joint convention. President MacMa-
hons resignation was due to disagree
ment between him and the Chambers, upon
. question affecting the army. A bill had
been passed, placing upon the retired list
considerable number of high officers Of the
army, Who were suspected Of Bonapsrtism,
and a. these men were old friends and com
rsdss Of the President, he preferred to resign
rather than sign bill for their retirement
The Legislative branch Of the government
was right in insisting that the command
Of the army should be in the hands of men
in foil sympathy with the Republic, and
vet MscMahon is to be commended for
standing by his friends.
The following article on this subject
from the New York Graphic, if interesting !:
France has changed Presidents. Grevy
has succeeded MacMahon. There has been
no odisturbance-hsrdly any excitement. The
Marshal sent to the Senate and Chamber of
Deputies his lerter Of resignation couched In
moderate language yesterday morning. II
was read TO each body along with the pro-
visions OF the Constitution governing the
election of . president. Both houses at once
adjourned to meet In Joint session in the
afternoon. There are 500 Senators and So
Deputies. Ifthe joint convention WAS fully
attended So persons would be present
seven hundred and thirteen Senators
and Deputies attended the joint
session. Under all the circumstance
the attendance was very good. There was no
time 10 hunt the laggards. Only these within
two hours' ride OF Versailles could r. acb:, here
in time, even when summoned at once by
telegraph. ofthe 7l3 Senators and Deputies
n. Grevy, the regular Republican candidate
received $50 votes, General de Chanzy 90
votes and Blank IS. An absolute majority OF
ali those present and voting is necessary to
elect a president. In this case the absolute
majority required was SSG votes. NJ. Grevy
therefore received Just 200 votes more tban he
required TO secure an election.
THIS incident shows clearly that the French
Constitution is workable. Our President re-
signs once and another is elected all the
same day. There is no prolonged crisis and
no jar TO business The Republic OF France
has no Vice-President-there is no designa-
ted officer TO assume the duties and resp ponsi-
bilities of that office in case of death resIgna-
zion or disability OF the President. But yes
terdays occurrence shows Us clearly that the
French Constitutional mode OF substituting
one President for another Is In any OF these
eases AZ good as our own, while In the great
contingency OF choosing q President at the
expiration OF the term OF his predecessors IL
certainly seems superior 10 our system.
Let us just imagine what would have oc-
eurrsd had the choice of a successor to Mar
shal MacMahon been remitted to the electors
at large. For at least three months there
would be a prolonged political crisis Ad-
ministration and business would be par.
slyKed. There would be RoyaIists and Bona
psrtist intrisues. Everything would be un-
settled. The cost both TO the public treasury
and private parties would be very great And
yet the chances are the same man would be
chosen. The French system has in lis favor
the merit and directness, speed and
economy. Ours is slow, indirect and
C Js.ly. We may yet learn something from
France as to the election OF a President
though II Is worth recalling that the elect on
Of the chief executive officer by the Legisla-
lures was in use ia the States OF the Confed-
Grafton during the Revolutionary struggle,
and that Hamilton proposed TO the Constiiu-
tional Convention that Congress shou d ap-
point the President OF the United States
Had his plan been followed the results might
have been satisfactory and many of the evils
OF our present system abolished.
The French system has another dvantage
The term is long. 1t avoids the danger of
multiplying political struggles that involve
the whole country in their scope. The sep
tennate is nearly twice as long our Presi-
dental term of four years. Marshal Mac
Mahon had near two years of his term to
serve. Ii would not have expired until Mo-
vember, 1880. But there are no unexp.red
terms 10 be filed. All vacancies are filled
for full terms. N. Grevy is therefore elected
for seven years from January 80, 1879. His
term will expire January 30. IsS6.
There are many Inducements for a man TO
remain President OF France. His salary is
10000 francs per snnum-about twice a
much a. the President OF the United States
receives. He has palace to live in and
about 5000 a year 10 pay the personal ex
penses OF his househol". He has large per-
sonal staff. He Is only responsible TO the
law In case OF treason. He Is indeed con-
stituiional sovereign In all but name.
man OF tact and good Judgment would be a
France, were the respensible Cabinet given
to him by the National Assembly. ofcourse
.nd nns or cI ,hp ~ a., IN Enrons @ " " An'e
Marshal MacMshon has not proved q great
success as politician or President. But let
US award him this praise-that In resisning