The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-02
A Curious Political Incident in Italy.

There occurred last week in the Italian
Chamber of Deputies, now proroRued until
November an incident which, although not
without precedent in tho annals OF the Ital-
ian Parliament, must yet appear anomalous
and almost incredible to those who arc only
cOnversant with the parliamentary institu-
lions and practices Of other countries. 1t Is
well known that BISMARCK, after he be-
came Prime Minister OF Prussia, violated
the Prussian Constitution by levying taxes
which tho PrnSsian LandtaG refused to
sanction. He thereby rlsked his head, but,
subsequently, when his plans had tri-
umphed at Sadowa, he secured an act Of in
demnity. But who, outside Of Italy, ever
heard of obtaining an act Of indemnity In
advance for violation OF the National Con-
stitutlon This, however. Is just what
took place in Rome on June %.
In order to assure the maintenance Of or
der during the coming recess of Parliament,
King HUMBERT ]. decided to issue a royal
decree empowering the Government to pro-
hibit public meetings, and to punish strik-
crs and nfringers Of the press law. This
decree involves IL violation Of Article 30 of
the Statute, or Constitution of the King
dom Of Italy. Inorder to execute this decree
without rendering himself liable TO i'm
parchment on the score OF Unconstitutional
conduct, the Premier, Gen. PELLOUx, de-
manded on Wednesday a reference Of tho
royal decree to the Committee on Political
Bills it being acknowledged on all hands
that such reference If granted, would have
the force OF an act OF indemnity. Tho ref
erencc was adopted bya vote Of pos to 1873;
consequently, during the recess, public
meetings may he prohibited by virtue OF a
royal decree alone, although such prohibit
tion 10 distinctly counter to the Consttu-
ton. and would, IN any other country, re-
quire constitutional amendment.
To comprehend tho significance OF this in
cident it is needful to recall certain peculiar
features Of the Italian Constitution and Of
the legislative and executive practices
which have grown up under it, II IL, in tho
first place, TO be noted that the kingdom
Of Sardinia expanded into the kingdom OF
Italy without any alteration OF its funda-
mental laws, for the Statute, originally
granted by CHARLES ALRERr in 1s4s, re-
mains the Constitution of the whole nation
to-day. 1t has never been formally
amended, and, unlike other written constl-
tutions provides no machinery for amend
ment. AT first 1t was assumed that
any changes would have to be made
by a constituent assembly, and, IN 1s4S, a
law was passed to call one which, however,
rever met. BY degrees an opinion gained
ground that In" political institutions of
Italy, lik" th"-" "r England, could b" modi-
fled by tn" ordinary process of legislation.
Tho process, indeed, Is simpler IN Italy
than 1t is In England, whore tho House OF
Lords often refuses to concur with tho
House OF Commons, whereas the Italian
Senate, the members whereof are all ap-
pointed by the King. can almost always be
relied upon to sanction any measure which
Is desired by the sovereign and approved
OF by the Chamber OF Deputies. On the
rare occasions when the Senate proves 10.
calcltrant enough new senators are an,
pointed to swamp the uppostioH
Certain limitations however,. ont he pow,I
Of amending Tia" Italian Constitution hy
mere Legislative process are recognized 10y
InhiIc opinion and have been hitherto OBJ
served in parliamentary practice. For in
stance, 1t is universally held that the
Parliament las no power to undo the