The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-02-06


The FRENCH CoNsTITuTIOS.-Th recent
crisis in France directs public attention.
anew to the peculiar features Of repre-
sentative government under the constitu-
ton OF that republic. Withthc exception
of Russia, every great state in the civilized
world is governed more or less through
representative institutions; and those Of
France differ from all the rest. The par
lament is weak in Germany; II is limited
in its functions in America; it is some
times ajolcd out OF its rights in Great
Britain by a cunning prime minister. In
France alone is the parliament absolutely
supreme in the government. Everywhere
else the hereditary monarch, or the popu.
larly'elccted president can either veto the
acts OF parliament or send the body back to
the people to receive their judgment upon
its proceedings. The German emperor
can not only dissolve, but owingto his
seat in the federal council, can practically
exercise an absolute veto. The Emperor
Of Austria and all the category ofsiMalter
European kings can dissolve the represen-
tatIve body at n moments notice. III Eng.
land the veto power is dead; but the SOW
ereign's power 10 dissolve is even more
effective as all executive check upon the
Commons. In France, when the same
party is dominant in both chambers, MS Is
now the case, that party, by refusing 10
consent to u dissolution, can prevent one;
and the veto is not among the functions
Of the President. The ministry there as
in England is dependent upon the favor Of
the chamber for It's continuance in power
for no ministry could maintain itself in
office with the parliament against it,
lIcEe tLen is parliamentary despotism
in the government Of Franco which has no
precedent anywhere among the instttu.
lions OF the globe.
This is ctrtainlyN dangerous power 10
commit to reprcscntive body. II may
be said to he more dangerous in France
than in any other country, for French
assemblies, like the French people, are
liable to sudden impulses, and have often
dccrced great measures without previous
consultation with or expression from the
people. Until the recent Senatorial cleo
tons the two legislative bodies have been
so at variance politically that one was the
most radical check OIL The other 1t re-
mains to be seen with what degree OF
moderation French Republicans will OK.
else the power which they at length DOS.
scss. Those who are Interested in the
welfare Of France, may well watch the
developments Of the next twelve months
with apprehension aud anxiety. Not bu.
that there are plenty Of moderate men
among those who are directing the affairs
OF the dominant party; not hut that the
life elemcntin tho French Senate promises
security against all ordinary impulses; but
wo have already seen the disposition Of
the AsSemblytoiollow single Leadership
and that the leadership Of tho brilliant
and fearless advocate aud journalist who
has just been elevated to the presiding
office Of tho Assembly, in place Of the pro.
NOTED Grevy, Gambctta is impotuous.
fiery, daring, radical. lie has made 70.
markable impress upon the recent his.
tary Of Fancc-le can almost be said to
have been that history embodied. But he
has never been tested in a situation such
Us he finds himself in to-day. With nm.
limited power in his hands for the first
timc, hetinds all the antagonists against
whomhis energies have been devoted for
years, PROSTATE and pOwcrless beneath
him. Now comes tho crucial test OF his
ralicalism. Can it be restrained, when
there is no longer occasion for the yehe.
mcnt assertion Of ite Tho destiny OIL
France may depend upon the answer. q
BE wise in time and nrotnyn nj. P,l,,s