The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-27
PECULIAR FEATURES,

{.
One feature OF the French Legislative
system strikes us as being very peculiar.
We should think, however, that it
would BIO decidedly convenient, and We
wonder, now we come to think Of 1t.
that the same feature has not received
formal recognition in such countries "a
England and the United States. We
read au article recently which described
in blood curdling language the awful
nightmares suffered by IN English NJ.
2. In consequence OF the promises he
had made when asking his constitl-
ency to elect him. Doubtless DIR
American statesmen suffer occasionally
from tho same cause. But in France
they MANAGE things differently; \ Mem
bers OF the French chambers formally
absolve themselves from such promises
Engagements made while his election
impended are declared to be null aud
void when the deputy or senator takes
his seat, tho theory being that no is no
longer accountable TO his constituency,
but is solely to- be- ghided byNhis con-
science. This means that he may not
only 20 back on his promises to indl-
viduas, but may abrogate with equal
impunity the allegiance he may have
protested towards any particular prin'
ciples; n liberty; by the way, which Is
sometimes abused and which, tinfor-
tunately, besides atfording encourage.
ment to turn-coats, prevents tho dev0l.
opment on French soil OF what Is today
the greatest need OF the French repub-
lie, viz, a strong, we'll disciplined party
pledged to defend 1t against enemies
and traitors. ,
The only occasions when the senate
and house OF deputies meet IN Joint ses-
sion are when, in the magnificent palace
at Versailles, they take the constitution
under review, or are conYoked for the
equally grave purpose OF electing a
president. For its regular work the
senate meets in the Palace de Luxem-
bourg, aud the chamber in the PaIals
Bourbon. Both places arc eminently
historic and the events in which they
have figured suggest in striking man
ner the cheCkered career Of the French
nation. The Palais de Luxem bourg was
built for Marie dc Medici, hut received
additional touches both from Napoleon
/ and from Louis Philippe. Before the
revolution 1t was occupied by the Count
OF Provence, who became in time Louis
XVIII, and in the days Of the conven-
ton 1t was o state prison. The Palals
Bourbon was built in 1922 for the
dowager duchess Of Bourbon. After
wards the Prince OF Condo lavishod
upon II four million dollars, and In 1900
1t was declared national property, being
used at first for the sittings OF the Coun.
ell Of Eve hundred. ilF ba
Neither Of these palaces has the look
OF picturesque dignity for which the
houses Of parliament in London aro ia
nous, and the capitol at Washington IL
beyond all comparison with them. But
they arc plentifully adorned with sLatu-
airy, both on tue outside and within, and
like all French buildings which ante.
date the revolutionary ora, thoy arc In.
tonsely interesting. When ono remom.
bers, too, that tho palais Bourbon has
twice been invaded by mob, 1t seems
not at all inappropriate that II should
be the meeting place OF that oxCitablc
and very dlsofderly body, tho French
chamber Of deputies. MT.