2 APRIL 1870, Page 1

M. 011ivier has introduced the new Senatus-Consultum. It places all

legislative power in the Chamber, Senate, and Emperor, abolishes the constituent power of the Senate, reserves to the Emperor the right of proposing plebiscites, and authorizes an increase in the number of Senators till it is equal to two-thirds that of the Deputies. Ministers " depend " upon the Emperor alone, but are " responsible " to Parliament, an arrangement which seems to mean that the Emperor can dismiss them as well as the Chamber. The clause reserving the right to propose plebiscites excites much discontent, but it is not of serious importance. Suppose it abrogated, the Emperor could still strike a coup d'e'tat, and legitimize it by a plebiscitum taken afterwards.