dmit by an immediate vote the validity of an election about which
no irregularity is alleged. To bring in the question of authorizing
a criminal investigation would be an abuse of power; because by not
allowing discussion or defence, and by dispensing with the usual forms
of procedure which guarantee certain rights to a party implicated, the
Chamber would be virtually rejecting the action of the electors in the
exercise of their sovereign functions. Every one can see, moreover,"
added the orator, "that to grant the right of criminal investigation in
this connection is to prejudge the merits of the case; the presumption
of innocence, which is the right of every man, is ignored--whereas in
this case the person concerned is a man whose integrity has never been
doubted, and who has just been openly honored by the suffrages of his
fellow citizens."

The discussion was prolonged for some time, the ministerial orators, of
course, taking the other side, until an unfortunate event occurred.
The senior deputy, acting as president (for the Chamber was not yet
constituted), was a worn-out old man, very absent-minded, and wholly
unaccustomed to the functions which his age devolved upon him. He
had duly received Monsieur de Sallenauve's letter requesting leave of
absence; and had he recollected to communicate it, as in duty bound, to
the Chamber at the proper time, the discussion would probably have been
nipped in the bud. But parliamentary matters are apt to go haphazard;
when, reminded of the letter by the discussion, he produced it, and when
the Chamber learned that the request for leave of absence was made for
an indefinite period and for the vague purpose of "urgent affairs," the
effect was lamentable.

"It is plain," said all the ministerial party, "that he has gone to
England to escape an investigation; he feared the result; he feels
himself unmasked."

This view, setting aside political prejudices, was shared by the sterner
minds of all parties, who refused to conceive of a man not hastening to
defend himself from such a blasting accusation. In short, after a very
keen and able argument from the attorney-general, Vinet, who had taken
heart on finding that the accused was likely to be condemned by default,
the question of adjournment was put to the vote and passed, but by a
very small majority; eight days being granted to the said deputy to
appear and defend himself.

The day after the vote was passed Maxime de Trailles wr