Page:The Constitutions and Other Select Documents Illustrative of the History of France, 1789-1907, Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged.pdf/258

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228
Constitution of the Year III

if there is occasion and sends the accused before the high court of justice, which is required to proceed with the trial without any delay.

122. All discussion in either council relative to complaint against or accusation of a member of the legislative body takes place in committee of the whole.

Every decision upon the same matters is taken by roll call and secret ballot.

123. Accusation pronounced against a member of the legislative body entails suspension.

If he is acquitted by the judgment of the high court of justice he resumes his functions.

Relations of the Two Councils between Themselves.

124. When the two councils are definitively constituted they give notice thereof reciprocally by a messenger of state.

125. Each council appoints four messengers of state for its service.

126. They carry the laws and acts of the legislative body to each of the councils and to the Executive Directory; they have entrance for that purpose into the place of the sittings of the Executive Directory.

They go preceded by two ushers.

127. Neither of the two councils can adjourn beyond five days without the consent of the other.

Promulgation of the Laws.

128. The Executive Directory causes the laws and other acts of the legislative body to be sealed and published within two days after their reception.

129. It causes to be sealed and promulgated, within a day, the laws and acts of the legislative body which are preceded by a decree of urgency.

130. The publication of the law and the acts of the legislative body is prescribed in the following form:

"In the name of the French Republic, (law) or (act of the legislative body) . . . the Directory orders that the above law or legislative act shall be published, executed, and that it shall be provided with the seal of the Republic."

131. Laws whose preambles do not attest the observation of the forms prescribed by articles 77 and 91 cannot be pro-