New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-25
mates of a political Boss, Republican members
have no business to att end it,
CHANGES IN THE FRENCH SYSTEM

CHANGES IN THE FRENCH SYSTEM
The facility with which fundamental changes
are made in the constitutional life OF the French
Republic is an unfaling source OF surprise II
not Of admiration, wherever the same processes
are laborious aud complex. When President
NacMahon resigned his successor was chosen
within a few hours, and when the seat OF Gov
crument was transferred from Versailles to
Paris the Constitution was amended without
debate. In like manner radical change has
been effected in the electoral system, the
clauscs of the scrutin de listc being voted upon
in quick succession after single afternoon oil
discussion and one great speech. In the United
States n Presidential election is preceded by Il
wear of turmoil and excitement and so intricate
i tho svstem of checks and balances that the
National Constitution cannot be altered with
out protracted delay, the concurrent action OF
N many legislative bodies being required; and
in England the general election laws are only
modified after years of agitation and success
sion of political crises. In France the action OF
the constitutional system is more direct. Inc
Encouragement of the electoral system, const-
tutional revision and the choice of national
executive are supreme acts of political power,
lativc delay or popular excitement
The massage of the scrutin dc liste is a forci-
HE illustration of the extreme flcXbility of the
French system II also reveals well-markeu
tendency toward American constitutional prac-
tice. In the British Parliament bill affecting
the rights and privileges of every constituency
and voter could not become law without re-
ccjving the support of the Government oil the
l..
doy. In the Chamber of Deputies neither the
Premier nor any of his associates III the MIN
istry assumed direction Of the measure. they
voted as Deputies without taking part III the
debate and without arrayins themselves a. the
responsible leaders of the majority The rcjcc-
ton of the bill would not have affected the re-
lations of the Ministry TO the Chamber. W nat
makes this neutrality of the Government even
more anomalous, from an English point ol view,
is the fact that itswas enforced by poliilcil
leader who has not accepted the responsibilities
of Office The Premier himself was opposed to
the measure. and the Foreign Minister sup
ported him. bat their eight associates would not
allow them to make ii Cabinet question. The
hill was discussed IN committee and adopted by
the Chamber without the Intervention ot the
Government nj any stag o! the procrcdl hgS.
SO far ~ their influence went, the Ministers
might as well have been excluded from the
Chamber like the members oi an American
Cabinet. Tho Premier renowned his so-calIrd
prmacy the President of the Chamber a.
ccndcd the tribune %, the dc facto leader "i the
party; and the Deputies voted. according q"
their private conviction. and views oil public
nnlicy without rcfrrencc 10 the Government of
the day. n requires no argument To prove that
this is the American rather than the English
way The electoral college could be- abolished
bv the United States Congress without a single
expression of opinion from the Cabinet. What
would I've said in England if Mr.. Gladstone and
Mr.. Bright. Lord Harrington Sir William llir-
court and Mr. Forster were to keep their seat q,
and allow Nh Brand to force a great measure
of electoral reform through the Commons
An obvious inference from thus comparison
of French and American institutions Is thc
facility with which the systems could be- recon
ci,d. If President Gltty, Minister, should
maintain an enforced neutrality IN all icci~la-
tive proceeding, and being deprived oi uIcu
seats in the Ch.m MIXERS shoHld make their Offices
purely administrative, it would Doe an American
Cabinet. The Premier functions would cca>' e,
for he would no longer represent the Govern
mcnt in the Legislature, and the President.
who prcsdrs AT Cabinet councils under the
Constitution ~ il now stands, would not Tc-
quilc Dcputy President Of the Council. By
an easy transition the executive and legislative
powers would br a. completely separated n
they are under the American system and the
Premiership would be abolished is an Office
that has no warrant under the Constitution of
1873 and is not in accord with the logic Of
republican institutions. These changes would
promote the efficiency Of presidential govern
ment without interfering with the exercise oi
the supreme functions with which the loSi-ld-
tive Chambers are endowed under the present