The record-union., 1895-03-11

A majority Of American citizens live
with the complacent idea that they are
residents under the best government IN
the world. 1t is republic, government
of freedom and based upon the equality OF
HufTrage. 1t has endured more than one
hundred years, and its longevity depends
upon the honesty with which its affairs
are administered. Its history is the most
glorious of all the republics that have
been reared since the beginning OF his
tory. and the facts of its successful exist
ence have imbued many Americans, at
least, with the idea that all republican
forms of government established since
this have been patterned after it.
Perhaps, in part, because of that reason
there has been much confusion among
Americans since the resignation of the
last French President, and many inqui-
ries as to the causes for the constant shift
ing of cabinets in France and the frequent
upheavals that scatter the ministers and
other officers in all directions. The reslg-
nation of the President is contingency
for which the American citizen is wholly
Unprovided. Indeed, certain American
newspaper telegraDhed TO it's Washington
correspondent to ascertain to whom the
President would be obliged to tender his
resignation in case he should decide to do
30, and the correspondent could not learn
whether the House of Representatives,
the Senate the Cabinet, or the citizens OF
America should be addressed. 1t is not
the practice for President of the United
States to resign for any reason, and 1t
does not seem to have occurred to the
authors of the Constitution that an Amerl-
can would ever think OF resigning.
The voters of this country, more es-
pecially in later years, may have wished
that the President would take hints, more
or less delicately extended, but he Is
elected for a stated term, and there he Is
likely TO remain unless death or Impeach-
ment ends MS career. The two immedi-
ate professors of the murdered Carnot of
France were forced to resign, and his
successor, Casimir-Perier, IN office lit
tie more than half a year, followed the
way OF Grevy and McMahOn.
The Republic of France resembles in
more ways the Kingdom of Great Britain
than it does the Repu bile of the United
States. In France there is no hereditary
reigning family, nor nobility by which
power and fortunes are transferred from
father to son. Certain methods OF pro-
cedure, however, in the legislative and
executive branches OF the Government
are patterned closely after those of the
present limited monarchy Of England.
In the latter country the Cabinet, selected
by the Prime Minister, and indirectly by
the Queen or King who appoints the
Prime Minister, is subject to dissolution
If Parliament demonstrates lack OF con-
fidence in the Government by an adverse
vote upon measures that are supported
by the Cabinet. This is also the practice
in France. If the French Chamber of
Deputies defeats measure that Is sup
ported by the French Ministry, the Cabi-
net announces the resignation OF all Its
members to the President.
The latter may believe the plan Of his
Cabinet 10 be right. In that case he may
dissolve the Congress and take the matter
before the people. 1t is possible that
Congress may be returned which will
favor his Cabinets policy. However, re-
sort to such extreme measures renders
necessary the expenditure of large sum
of money, II the President foreSees de-
feat, even with another election, and is
tired OF the task of Cablnet-maklng, he
is at liberty to resign. French Presidents,
when harasSed beyond the limit they
consider Just. are prone to accept the lat
ter course. In England the sovereign re-
mains in Office and tries another Prime
Minister and a new Cabinet, or another
election. In the United States the Presi-
dent remains in office, and possibly COM
plains not little If Congress dlSagreeS
with him. He retains his Cabinet as long
as he cares TO, and he has no authority
whatever to dissolve Congress and order
another election.
The French President is merely an
executive fgurehead. His power is
limited to comparative inSlgnIncance.
He lives like a king. His salary is more
than double that OF the President of the
United States. The sum allowed him by
the French Nation for household eX-
penses is more than double the salary of
the President of the United States. he
receives, in all, $4,000 per 2nnum for
his services. The latter consist mainly
in forming cabinets, giving state dinners
and resigning. OF his social functions
there is much to say. He lives in the
palace OF the Elysee. 1t is magnificent
building built in l7lS for the Comte
d EVreuX. During the reign Of Louis XIV.
1t was the residence of Madame Pompa-
dour, and during the reign of Louis XVI.
the Duchess OF Bourbon held court
within it's walls. Napoleon l., Louis
Bonaparte and Alexander l. of Russia
were also residents in the palace, and
Napoleon III. occupied il as the Presi-
dent of the French Republic in lS49. The
palace is in the heart of Paris. Con-
tiguous with it is the beautiful Champs
Glysee, broad boulevard, parklike in
its decoration, traversing one Of the
largest cities IN the world through one Of
its busiest portions.
The French President is not as demo-
cratic as the President of the United
States, although he may be elected from
the commonest OF the common people.
1t requires more formality to be received
at the palace of the Elysee than it does to
be received at the White House. An air
of royalty saturates the atmosphere from
the portal OF the broad gate at the mas
sive entrance on the Rue du Faubourg ST..
Honore, to the sentry boxes that are con-
spicuous about the grounds of the palace
which face on the Champs Elysee.
France is too near the nations OF kings and
queens, and too recent an acquisition to
the republican form of government,
thoroughly to have done away with all OF
the trnmpery and gliding with which
royalty once thought it deceived the eyes
of the ''deluded FOOLS" who paid for roy
alty's splendor. France is learning, how
ever, and there is hope that the tinsel and
gold will soon go the way of royalty.
The Chamber of Deputies in France
numbe nearly six hundred mem bers.
They axe chosen by direct vote of the
people. To be a candidate for Deputy d
citizen must be not less than . years OF
age. This chamber is without doubt the
most mercurial legislative body in the
world. Some people might define 'mer-
curiar' by ''boyishness and rowdyism," "
but the traits OF the French character are
susceptible of wide latitude. Now and
then q hot debate at Washington develops
bitter language and foolish personalities.
The French Deputies consider talk a mere
tril!e. They resort to fisticuffs, and fisti-
cuifs lead to challenges to duels. The
lattor are not OF much consequence as
general thing. n bad miss at pistols or 9
tritiing flesh wound with rapiers results
followed by dinner pledge of mutual
friendship over several bottles of rea
burgundy, and cabs to escort TWO weary
principals and their numerous seconds
home at an early hour In the morning