The record-union., 1895-03-11

Deputy is 5000 francs per annum. 1t is a
sum equivalent to not quite 81, 500 OF
United States money. 1t has been argued
that the small salary paid to members OF
the Chamber of Deputies is the cause of
so much attempted and actual bribery of
members. The advocates OF an increase
OF salary assert that more wages would
result in more honest legislation. That
is question with two sides. The pay of
a member of the lower house of Congress
of the United States is s., 900 per annum.
a trifle more than ZOO francs of French
money.
The members of the upper house of the
Legislative department of the French
Government are known as Senators, the
same title as applies to similar officials in
the United States. To be Senator a
French citizen must have passed his
tortleth year. The plan OF election of the
resembles in Il very slight de-
gree that of the election of the Senators of
the United States. They are chosen by
direct vote OF the people. Each depart
ment, or county. throughout France, is
represented in the Senate by from Que to
ten chosen men. The choice is made by
Il county assembly, composed of the
Deputies for the county, with several
county otlicials-like commissioners and
Judges-and Of delegates specially elected
in the communes or townships. The peo-
pie have vote III constituting the county
assem- blles, and in that respect resemble
the American voters, who choose the
members of the State Legislatures that
elect Senators. The Senators are gener-
ally more uigniiied than the Deputies
They are great pOsers and Sticklers for
formality, but they are not more patriotic
nor more typical Of the nation than
the members of the lower house. An
adverse vote of the Senate is not con-
sidered necessary for defense by the Gov
ernment and the Cabinet is unmoved
wnen the Senators voice their displeas-
Ure.
The members of the Cabinet of Minis
ters receive an annual salary of 10000
francs each. The American money equiv
aleut would be little less than ST., 900.
The President Of the republic, after one
Cabinet is dissolved, selects some citizen
and asks him to form Cabinet. If he
succeeds III doing SO the Government re-
sumeS business and the Chamber of Dep
utes begins to prepare for war upon the
Ministers. AS one intelligent French
man recently remarked: Our Cham Der
OF Deputies has but two motives in exist
ing. The first and most important to
itself is to be bribed and to draw its sal
ary; the second is TO play battledore and
with the Cabinet" The Min
listers are abused by the Deputies without
stint. Personalities enter the discussions
to a large extent. 4 French Cabinet
Minister enjoys the privilege of either
floor of the congress. He may address
the Deputies or the Senators, although he
is not allowed to vote with them This
practice is common to England, with the
exception that the Prime Minister, if a
Commoner, may only address the House
OF Commons, or. if a Lord, may speak
e.
proposed by the Government.
In the United States it is not permissible
for the members of the Cabinet to appear
upon the floor OF either the House or the
Senate and speak in behalf Of measures
before either body.
The election of French President does
not resen BILE in the least that OF a Presi-
dent of the United States. He is not the
direct choice OF the people. Although
the Electoral College of the Z nited States
makes the Presidents selection other
than that of direct vote, the method in
vogue here Is nearer popular election
than that OF France. In the latter couu-
try the memb bers of the Cham Der of Dep
uties and the Senators meet in Joint ses-
sion at the magnificent palace at Ner-
SaiIles, preparatory To eiecting a Presi-
dent. Little did Louis XIV. think, when
he expended millions OF dollars upon the
structure aud surrounding gardens, that
the time would come when the people
would select on that very site. through
their delegates, head to the Government
whose power would be almost as remote
from absoiutism as Louis own was abso-
Lutte. Yet such is the case. The Joint
session meets in one OF the largest and
graudest sailes of the palace. The busi-
ness of electing the President proceeds
with moro noise, turmoil aud ciamOr
than accompanies a turbulent political
meeting in America. The French Dep
uty must ever be dramatic or ridiculous.
He Will try to accomplish either at the
expense of dignity and decorum.
1t is a noteworthy fact that the French
people do not elect their smarteSt and
brightest men 10 office. They explain
their refusal by asserting that it is better
to have q moderately bright and conserv-
atiye man ut the executive head or the
Government than to elect one who has
too many brains.
1--WE have had too many Napoleons in
this country" said French Deputy from
Tours, Of whom was asked the reason for
the apparent forgetfulness of the brilliant
statesmen oil the nation. "What we want
now is COMMON sense and level headed
ness. 1t will be time for a Napoleon
when we are ready TO gain an Alsace and
a Lorraine" OF the five Presidents who
first administered the affairs OF the Gov
ernment, Ihiers, McMahon, Greyy, Car
not and Casimir-Perler,l II is believed by
the French that Theirs was the greatest
statesmen ofall, and Mcmahon, OF course,
the greatest soldier. Faure has the fu-
ture. 1t is not paved with anything III ore
than good intentions.
The French President has much less to
do in appointing people to office than the
President of this country. Civil service
laws are in force throughout all branches
OF the Government. At the end of thirty
years service for the Government they
are rewarded with pension. The Pres
ldent, however, has plenty 10 look after.
The Projects of the eighty-siX depart
ments are under his control, and he is
represented in the 362 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
into which the departments are divided,
also IN the next subdivision OF ISL can
tons, and in the So l2l coInmuneS.
The French Congress has a system oi
its own in dealing with matters that come
before it tor legislation. At the beginning
of each month it divides itself into
groups. This division is made by lot.
Nine groups are located in the Senate and
eleven III the Chamber of Deputies. All
matters coming before Congress are first
considered by these groups individually,
then by a committee composed of delegates
from the groups, and following that by
Congress itself. All measures must pass
Congress by majority vote OF the Con-
eress. and not by majority vote OF the
members present at the session. When
more important measures are before the
Congress for action it is often customary
to vote upon them by ballot. This affords
excellent opportunity for the theatrical
nature of the French legislator. The bal
lots are deposited before the tribune with
much pressiveness. They are OF pa.
per. blue against the measure, and white
in favor OF it. Each ballot is indorsed
with the name ofthe member who is vot-
ing.
1t is not considered unfair for Deputy
to run for Office on a nlatfOrn that he re-