The Concordia eagle. [volume] (Vidalia, La.) 1873-1890, 1884-11-29
The French Constitution.

When the present French Republic
was established in 1875, the new Con
stitution provided that, after an interval
Of seven years, it should be open to re-
vision. That is, that if any changes
were deemed necessary in the Constitu-
ton, it should be possible to make them
after that lapse of time.
The method by which these changes
were to be made was by the action of
the Senate aud the Chamber of Depu-
ties united in a combined session. the
whole body thus formed being presided
over Wy the President of the Senate,
and to be called the National AS
sembly." The limit of seven years was
reached in 1882. But at that time and
since, the affairs of France have been in
such n condition that it was not deemed
best to attempt to revise the Constitu-
ton.
At the meeting of the French Parlia-
ment in August, however, the National
Assembly was at last convened for this
purpose. The Senate aud Chamber as
sembied in Joint session in the historic
palace of Versailles; and proceeded to
discuss and to make certain alterations
III lilt IOuSlllullOl Vi lOtcf ms SltD
was taken at the instance OF the present
French Ministry, of which NJ. Jules
Ferry is the head. The various changes
were first presented by the Ministry to
the Houses separately, and by them
were debated; so that when they came
to meet in joint session, the changes to
be made had really been determined
upon. The session at Versailles was a
very turbulent and noisy one. At first,
it seemed rs if the Assembly might
break up in confusion, without fulfilling
the object for which ii been convened.
But at last order was restored
out of chaos, and the principal
changes proposed by the Ministry
were adopted by large majorities. Thus
there came into being new and
amended French Constitution, which,
by the act of the Assembly, has become
the organic law Of the land. The main
features in which it differs from the one
which it replaces are three; and these
three are not of very grave Importance.
For the most part the old Constitution
has remained intact. 1t was NJ. Ferry's
purpose to introduce as few changes a.
possible.
First, the new Constitution declares
that the Republic is the permanent and
unalterable Government of France;
that by no enactment can it be changed
into a monarchy or an empire.
Secondly, all members of families
who have reigned in France are eX.
cludcd from the Presidency of the Re.
public. This article is intended to pre-.
vent any Bourbon or Bonapartist Prince
from being chosen chief magistrate, lest
he should use this office, as Louis Napo.
leon did, to restore a throne for himself.
Thirdly, the Senate, instead of being
partly composed of life members, is II
be altogether elective, and chosen by
certain electoral bodies, as three-quar.
ters Of the Senators have always been.
These are the three principal changes.
There are number of minor ones, but
they are not important One of these
minor changes is the insertion of clause
abolishng the saying of prayers at the
opening of the sessions Of the two cham.
bcrs. This clause shows how far France
has driftcd from its old orthodox loyalty
to the Pope and the church,
II was thought that Il change would
he made in the system of efecting the
deputies. But for some reason, it was
thought wise not to attempt this.
1t may be said generally of the new
Constitution. that, as far as it has beer
changed ut all, it has made the Repub.
lie stronger, and given it a more eRdur.
ing basis as the permanent Government
Of the French YOUTHS COMPANION.