THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON'S CONCESSIONS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 569, 9 September 1869, Page 4

THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON'S CONCESSIONS.

A revolution has commenced in France, not this time with barricades an I bloodshed, but in peaceful council. Constitutional Government seems in process of reestablishment, though in a manner so novel to Parisiaus that they almost discreditit. After vacillations and ambiguous utterances, which have not added to the Imperial influence, the Emperor has wisely surrendered to the necessities of his position. The deputiesof the Corps Loyislatif, not content to devoting the session to the verification of their powers, had resolved on an " interpellation" demanding certain reforms, and more than 120 names <f different sections had been pledged to this course. ' But on Monday last M. Rouher read a message from the Emperor Napo-le-jn, stilting that the Senate would be convoked as so'»n as possible, lo consider various reforms by which increased power would be given to to the Legislative body. These reforms inclmle the right of that body to regulate its own proceedings, and elect Its committees ; the simplification of the^mode of presenting and considering amendments ; ihe examinations of all modibcations of tariffs hi international treaties "; a fuller control over the budgets; admission of the members of the Chamber to Ministerial oftice ; and extension of the right of interpellation. The Emperor concludes his message by stating that the

above modifications are the natural development of those which have successively heen made in the Imperial institutions, [fiiis message took the Chamber by surprise, and was received with loud cheers. The resignation of Ministers was the first result of tliis new movement. But it was folio wed also so quickly by the prorogation'of tj;e Corps Legis.latif, that "a storm of indignation Was excited among the deputies, and some began to suspect another coup iVctat. "Liberty is at last bro'ight to bed," said one member. "Yes," answered M. Thiers, "but it is by a Caesarian operation,'*' T^ie plea for the 'prorogation of the Chamber is that time- may be allowed for the Senate to meet and sanction the proposed reforms ; but so strong has been the expression of opinion, that it is now understood the Chamber will be again convoked in a few days.