The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-12-26
FRANCE TO ELECT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Election Will Take Place in
Four Weeks Executive
Serves Seven Years.
National News Association)

PARIS, Dec. 26.-Three weeks
hence France will have elected a new
president, who, unless something I'M
forseen should happen, will continue in
office for term of seven years. Mr.
Fallieres, the present holder of the Of
flee, has made all his preparations for
his impending retirement and engaged
modest apartments not far from the
American Embassy. After his retire
ment he expects to divide his time
between Paris and his little estate
Loupillon in southern France, where
he produces in his vineyards about 900
To those who are accustomed to the
feverish activity, aggressive campaign
ing and intense public excitement in
variably proceeding presidential
election in the United States the uni
versal apathy and complete lack of in
terest in the coming election, as dis
played throughout France much be
surprise and disappointment. But 1T
must be remembered that in France
the president is not elected by the
people, as in the United States, but by
the Senate and the Chamber of Depu-
ties, meeting in joint session as Ma
tional Assembly at Versailles on Janu-
airy II, once every seven years. 1t is
true, there were times when the APP
preaching election of a president
aroused a certain amount Of popular
interest, butt hose instances were
rare. The coming election has not
caused even a flutter of interest and
one may travel from one end of France
to the other without hearing single
mention of the coming event. 1t is not
even generally known who the candi-
dates are or whether there are any
candidates.
In view of the fact that the presi-
dent is elected by a majority vote of
the combined Senate and Chamber of
Deputies and the additional fact that
the two houses are divided into a
large number of parties and factions,
it would be impossible to predict who
will be the successful candidate, even
If all the possible candidates were
known. The legislative body invariab-
ly selects a man who has long been
president of one or the other of the
chambers; who has been active in
committee work, and has perhaps held
a portfolio in one or more ministries;
who is not strenuous or aggressive,
and has not made too many personal
enemies.
Among those who fit into this class
and who may be therefore considered
as possible candidates, Paul Deschanel
president of the Chamber and one of
its bright lights for twenty-eight years,
is perhaps the foremost. He is So
years of age and his family has great
wealth. A notable candidate from the
Senate is Alexandra Ribot, three
times premier and man held in high
esteem. His wife was Miss Mary
Burch, of Chicago, and she has assist
ed him in his public career. Mr.. Ribot
is nearly II years old. Other cand-
dates are the president of the senate,
M. Dubost; Leon Bourgeois, Theo-
phil Delcasse, Premier Poinare and
Paul Doumer.
The general lack of interest in the
coming election is principally due to
two resons; the fact that the people
of France have no voice in the matter
and the fact that the President of the
French republic occupies a position,
which, though distinguished and dig
nified. carries with it but little actual
power. A familiar French Witticism
says THE King of Great Britain
Reigns but does not govern, but does
not reign; the President of the
French republic neither reigns nor gov
ems" Nothing could be more tersely
and clearly state the actual conditions
in the three countries.
The President of the French Repub-
lie receives an annual salary of S120,-
600 and an eXual sum of expenses and
representation. Under the terms of
the Constitution he promulgates the
laws voted by both Chambers, and in
sures their execution. He has a limit
ed veto power. but it requires only a
mere majority vote to pass any law
over the Presidents veto. The Presi-
dent selects the Ministry, but as a
matter of fact, he is compelled to Sc
lect the men whom the leaders of the
ruling party have agreed upon before
hand. He appoints to all civil and mill
tary posts, has the right of individual
pardon, and is responsible only in Use
of high treason. The President con-
cludes treaties with foreign powehs,
but cannot declare war without the
previous assent of both Chambers.
Every act of the President has to be
countersigned by minister The min
listers are not responsible to him, but
to the Chambers. With the consent
of the senate he can dissolve the
Chamber of Deputies and order new
election. Finally, the President has
the right to create new offices by ex-
ecutive decree. but the Chambers may
withhold appropriations for the salar-
les and expenses of these offices.
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