The French Chambers met quietly on Monday, and M. Floquet
immediately produced his project of Revision. It is an extraordinary one. By Clause 1, he proposes that the Chamber, elected for six years, shall be renewed to the extent of one-third every two years, and that the power of dissolution shall be abolished. By Clause 2, the Senate, also elected for six years, but by delegates of the electors, appointed ad hoc, instead of by delegates and Councillors, will be renewed. in thirds like the Chamber, and at the same time. By Clause 3, Ministers are to be appointed for two years by the President, .who can reappoint them, and are to resign only when the Chamber of Representatives formally votes that the nation has lost confidence in them. By Clause 4, a Council of State is created to advise and screen the Cabinet in the work of legisla- tion. We have criticised the project elsewhere, but may mention here that the Moderate Republicans regard it with dismay. It was, however, referred to the Committee of Revision by a vote of 307 to 181, only the Reactionaries resisting. M. Ferry, however, and some sixty Conservative Republicans, abstained from voting. It is believed that the Committee of Revision will be slow to report, and that M. Floquet does not at heart favour this scheme or any other, but only desires to keep in power, under pretext of preparing for Revision, until the General Election. That is an adroit but weak policy, and may be baffled by some unexpected vote.
