New-York tribune., 1903-02-10
RETTSTOE IN FRANCE.

france really seems 10 be approaching con-
stituticnal revision. Ever since the Third he
public had constitution such revision has been
a parry shibboleTh- 1t was demanded under
Theirs. under MacAfahon and under Grevy. 1t
gave point 10 Legitimist, Orleanist and I'm
perialist intrigues, and lent dignity TO even the
sordid and pinchbeck conspiracies of Boulanger
and Derouiede- To-day ii is the stock In trade
Of the 0pposition-not the opposition to the
Ministry. but the opposition to the republic it
self-botb radical and reactionary. More and
more the elemental impulse Of self-preservation
is moving the sincere supporters of the republic
TO seek such revision viii strengthen the
republic and silence or stultify its foes. There
is no longer any doubt that some revision is
desirable. The questions are to what extent
it shall be carried. and In what direction, and
whether il shall be done by the friends or the
foes Of the republic.
Some Of the anomalies of the French consti-
tutional system are so familiar as TO be truisns
The impotence OF the President is one OF them
Theoretically the President is the Chief of
State Practically be is a mere creature Of
the Chamber of Deputies. In Gambetta's time
they used TO speak of the three Presidents
the President of the republic. the Prime Min
lister and the President OF the Chamber. More
and more. until the time of II. Waldeck- -Rous-
seau. the last named overshadowed the others,
making them little more than his-or the Cham
ber's-puppets. NJ Grevy and NJ. Cassimir-
Perier were melancholy examples of the hui
initiation which the President of the republic
suffered, and N. Faure was not able TO re-
deem the office from the reproach. At the same
time the rapid succession of short lived minis
tries showed how much subordinated to Iegis-
lative caprice was that department of the ex-
acTffTn As for the coTlrfS they have all along
been dependent upon the legislature. and the
arrny and navy have been VIGOROUSLY subject
TO political control. In fact. under the guise of
a Presidential republic, France has practically
drifted strongly toward The old idea OF the
revolutionary convention. The chief buIwark
against a complete cataclysm in that direction
has been the Senate, which Radicals in the
Chamber have rallied against as an obsolete
thing. but which men Of true light and leading
have resorted TO more and more and which has
steadfastly held its ground as a coordinate
branch Of the Legislature
The present time seems auspicious for a
iudicious and conservative revision of the con-
stitution. NJ. Loubet has unquestionably given
30 the Presidential office strength and an mde-
pendence which il had sorely lacked since the
days Of fhe lamented Carnot N Waldeck-
Rousseau and II. Combes-the latter contrary
10 much expectation-have shown The posi-
bilify OF maintaining a stable ministry. The
Senate has finely vindicated itself against Rad
ical assaults upon its integrity and potency,
and stands to-day the unchalenged peer of the
Chamber in authority and respect Now, there
fore is the opportunity for the further confrma-
ton Of these benefcent principles and cOndi-
lions On such lines q strong movement is in
nrogress. conducted by a considerable body Of