23 DECEMBER 1876, Page 2

The French Senate and Chamber will probably come into col-

lision on the vote for the pay of army chaplains. The Chamber, it will be remembered, struck out this vote, being of opinion that priests in regiments were superfluities, but the Department retained them as matter of discipline, pay being provided ad interim by subscription. On Thursday, however, the Senate by 229 to 45 restored the grant demanded, which is only £4,025 a year. It is anticipated that the Chamber will not accept the amendment, declaring that its prerogatives are infringed, the Upper House having no right to increase the Esti- mates ; but as the Chamber must agree before the vote is legal, the Senate can hardly be said to have acted alone. M. Gambetta has suggested in the Budget Com- mittee, as a compromise, that the two Houses sitting together should construe the article of the Constitution,—rather an artful proposal, as the Chamber is sure to vote nearly en masse for its own prerogative, and contains nearly twice as many members as the Senate. The subject has not yet come up before the Chamber, but it is said the majority are determined not to give way.