New-York tribune., 1895-02-11
THE FRENCH SYSTEM.

ABUSE OF PARLIAMENTARY POWERS
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: MAY / impose on your indulgence to write
brief reply to the rather severe structures which
Mr. Henry c. Lockwood, in his letter puoiisned IN
last Sundays Tribune. passes upon my remarks with
regard to the recent French crisis?
In the fret place. beg disclaim the unfr.endiy
disposition toward France which he attributes TO
me- have been an interested student Oh frehch
contemporaneous history for some years; l have
visited France twice within the last two years-in
1892 and again in 1884, have fair knowledge OF the
French language. and by means unfamiliar
with French literature and history and certainly
no one can appreciate the brilliant genius ana
fascinating qualities OF the French race more than
| do. In the second place, freely confess tnat
never entertained the opinion that the American
system of government. e.. Presidential repuo-
licwould be better suited to the French people than
their present system Of government. e.. paria-
mentary republic Quite the contrary. The French
race, as Is abundanty evidenced by Its history, Is
extremely mercurial and explosive one. and 1t
has need, therefore. OF every possible saiety-vaNe
by which It's ebulltions OF political feeling can find
vent. without harm to the pubic welfare. This
safcty-valve is afforded by the present system Of
a parliamentary republic. The executive power OF
the Government is exercised by the Ministry. which
Is responsible the Chamber OF Deputies the PreSi-
dent OF the Republic being practically mere figure
head. Whenever the restless desire 10 change the
Government breaks loose. it Is no longer necessary
to have a bloody revolution. az was the case In
former times. ir order to overthrow the Govern
ment. The desired overthrow can be accomplished.
without danger % the public peace by simple
vote OF want OF confidence in the Ministry OF the
Chamber OF Deputies for then the Ministry resigns
and another takes Its place. In the United States
where the Cabinet. or Ministry. are mere clerks OF
the President who IS elected for definite period
Of four years aad is perfectly Independent Of the
House OF Rcpresentaiives-the Government could
only be oyerthrown by a bloody revolution Where
as. | have pointed out. in France 1t is easily
and indeed. neutrality-suspicious. without any
danger 10 the public peace.
II is true that the French Constitution nominaly
oonfers the executive power on the President OF
the Repub.c. giving him the appointment Of all the
important executive oiiicials-the Cabinet the pre-
fecis Of the departments (who would correspond 10
our State Governor-l. the Prefect OF Police the for
eign ambassadors. etc.-but the Constitution pro-
vides that the President must act through his
Ministers every order decree must be counter
signed by tho proper Minister and these Ministers
are made responsible 10 the Chamber OF deputies
The result - A. We all know. that the President
has become a mere hgurehead while the executive
government H. assumed by the Minister'S subject 70
in the Chamber OF Deputies The same thing would
happen in this country II our Cabinet Ministers
tivcs Instead OF to the President alone
Mr. Lockwood takes exception u my characterza- :
mess for the devil Certainly the phrase Is not
parliamentary" although applied to 'par.ia,
ncniIry' body But | particularly stated that |
gookr % the Deputies. not indvid"- nut col
lcctlyely. The majority of the present deputies
taken ind vlualy are mos; probably men Of light
and leading" bat the Chamber. taken as whoie'
hns on more ihln one occasion manifested the
spirit n sp,ed and petullnt child rather than that
u reasoning and disnihed legislative body. II -
well known that In many Instances when french
man Il nr-i elected 10 the Chamber he seems -
tfirk thif II he makes nose ~ ough ne VII lorSr
himself into the Premiership He therefore. seeks
hy every means % hflng himself into puberty Dy
making violent speeches or by introducing sensa-
fi0nai legislation which n passed by the chainoer.
ls fortunately for France generally thrown OUT Dy
the s.rats hch ls 4 more conservative BODY lt'
members being elected by indirect suffrage Tor pc
rioi Of nine years and all being men recessari.y
moro fhau forty years - age. and usually men "ho
have had sufficient political experience 10 appreciate
the fsc, that In France now. as formerly radical
Ism ~ the enemy. . . ., ,.,,,,,,,,
<eV- York Feb - is9S.