Mr. Picard, in a speech defending the Bill for prolonging
M. Thiess' powers, argued that it was indispensable not to leave the -organizing Government at the mercy of a single debate. Very true, and it is very characteristic of France that no one thinks of the remedy, namely, the delegation of the dissolving power to M. Thiers. Power, as Frenchmen think,' is meant to be used, and they would expect the President, if he possessed it, to dissolve whenever the Chamber passed a hostile vote. Moreover, French- men would argue, body that can be dismissed without its own .consent is not Sovereign, and if it is not Sovereign there must be somebody whom it is bound to obey, and who can that be but the dissolving power? So to keep the Executive stable, and yet maintain the theory, M. Picard votes M. There President, but leaves him "responsible," that is, binds him morally to resign in the event of serious disagreement with the Chamber.
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