M. Vitet's Bill for prolonging the term of M. There'
powers was finally passed on Thursday by a majority of 480 to 93, and provides that as a "precise title " tends to stability, and as the Assembly has a right to be constituent, the Chief of the Executive "shall assume the title of President of the Republic," and "exorcise under the authority of the Assembly all the powers delegated to him on February 17, 1871, until the Assembly has concluded its labours ;" shall have the right of addressing the Assem- bly, "after previously informing the Assembly of his intention to do so ; " and shall appoint the Ministers, who must countersign his decrees, and be responsible to the Assembly, as also is the Presi- dent himself. The Assembly, "taking into consideration the eminent services rendered to the country by M. Thiers during the past six months," and "the pledge which the continuance of the power he holds affords to the confidence of the country," appoints him to the Presidency. A sentence in the preamble affirms that the sovereign rights of the Assembly are to suffer no diminution from this Bill, and M. Vitet in his report urging the measure does not deny the right of the Assembly to dismiss M. Thiers.
