Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-08

yers, editors. ETC., from the country
towns. Their average age is So.
TO the Senate belongs no special
function beyond that of Joining with
the President of the Republic in decid-
ing upon the dissolution of the Cham.
Der of Deputies and of sitting no n.
court for the trial of impeachment
cases against the President or other
nigh officials or for the trial of per-
sons who it is considered threaten the
existence of the state
Under the law the members OF tho
cabinet are responsible to the Senate
as well as to the Chamber of Deputies
i. e., the cabinet resigns when it can
no longer control u majority; but in
TACT 1T has been only in the most ex-
ceptlonal cases that the disapproval of
the senate has forced the resignation
Oh the cabinet. In general the Senate
mas become body inferior In power to
the Chamber of Deputies.
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
The President of the Republic is
CHOSEN Tor seven years by a majority
vote OF the Senate and Chamber of
deputies sitting in joint assembly for
the purpose. Any person who Is a
MEMBER OF any family that has occu-
pied the throne of France is excluded
from the presidency. The traditions OF
the regal magniiicence due the head OF
the State in France are shown by the
Presidents salary Of 100000 francs a
year tSl25,00O, with Il further allowance
OF Goo.OoO more for his expenses, besides
the free use of the palace (PalaIs
d Elysees) in Paris and some hunting
seats i'll the Interior
The President has no veto over lep-
lsiation but he may return a bill for
further consideration and O. second
vote. lie may adjourn the houses
though only for month: may close n
session after it has continued five
months and, with the consent of the
senate, may dissolve the Chamber OF
deputies. In fact. however, he does not
hamper the houses. His acts have to be
approved by his ministers, while he
uoeS not even have Il seat In the Cabi-
net consultations on legislative bust
ness though lie is present when as n
council OF ministers they discuss exc
cutlNc work. Two Presidents have been
forced to resign by hostile Legislatures
though such an act is not at all con-
tcmpiated in the constitution and was
Drought about only by threats to block
government action II is probably inst
10 say that the President typifies the
dignity and luxury OF tho headship of u
great state, but hardly exercises much
real power as its head
me President selects his own cabi-
net, but must select those who can
command Il majority In the Houses of
the Legislature. as his cabinet advisers
are heId responsible to those bodies
ire usual plan is for him to consult
the presidents Of the two chambers re-
gardinE the best man te-ehoose for
prime miniSter-thc man thus chosen
u select his colleagues. There are reg
ularly eleven ministers in the French
CABINET Justice, finance. war, marine
ana the colonies. foreign affairs. the
interior, public instruction, religion and
the fine arts, public works, agriculture.
trade ana Industry. posts and tele-
Graphs). OF these. six or seven are
usually taken from the Chamber of
DEPUTIES. two or three from the Senate.
whi!c the portfolios of war and marine
are most generally given to men not
members of the Legislature, and some
times also the Minister of Foreign At
fairs is not member of the Legisln-
ture. The, regular salary of n minister
Is 10000 francs SG2.0OO) and usually n
furnished residence in one of the official
palaces.
While the different members Of the
CABINET are supposed to direct the adj
nllhiStrativc affairs of their separate
departments, as in the United States.
the cabinet as whole has for its chief
duty the formation of the political pol
icy OF the government, which REQUIRES
recognition by Legislative action. The
leading bills. therefore. are formulated
by the Cabinet. and It's members. all of
whom have the right to spcal. in both
houses. whether members or not, pre-
sent them 10 the Chamber of IDENTITIES
,.'"' VIZ ,'tilt &c II tNcy meet with de-
feat or with scrioui amendment contra
~ 10 the Will Of the Cabinet the Cab
met resigns and the President selects
another set Of advisers to take their
places.
Under a similar system in England
whore there are two great parties tho
cabinets remain on an average some
thing like four years in office before
their defeat. In France, however. no
great political parties exist; the Cham
l.s.a. 81
Der Of small Erohps or factions. several
OF which combine in order to secure n
majority for the ministry. The detection
of ono or two of these small factions Is
often enough 10 overthrow n ministry.
The consequence is that the life of the
aEcraEc French ministry is but from
c!ghf to ten months.
Notc-This paper will be concluded
Wednesday. March Is.