France

A republic of Europe. The National Assembly, February 17, 1871, declared itself the depositary of sovereign power, and in August elected M. Thiers president. Tlie law of February 25, 1875, with a second law voted soon after and a third- on July 16, 1876, and with modifications voted in 1879 and 1884, forms the present constitution. The executive is a president who appoints the ministry. The legislative department is vested in a national assembly, composed of a senate, elected by an electoral college, tracing back to universal suffrage, for nine years, and a chamber of deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years. The president Is elected for seven years by the senate and chamber of deputies. He Initiates legislation concurrently with the two houses and makes all civil and lullitary appointments. All his acts must be countersigned by a minister, and he cannot declare war without the previous consent of the two chambers. With the consent of the senate he may dissolve the chamber of deputies, but In such an event there must be a new election held within three months. The ministry is chiefly chosen from the two chambers. They can sit in both chambers and address them, but cannot vote unless they are members of the house. See Poincare, How France is Governed; Courts or I'Iiance. FRANCHILANU8. A freeman. Chart. Hen. IV. A free tenant. Spel. Gloss.