Page:The Constitutions and Other Select Documents Illustrative of the History of France, 1789-1907, Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged.pdf/109

Rh of the peace footing shall be discharged and the army reduced to its usual condition.

3. The ratification of treaties of peace, alliance, and commerce belongs to the legislative body; and no treaty shall have effect except by this ratification.

4. The legislative body has the right to determine the place of its sittings, to continue them as long as it shall judge necessary, and to adjourn. At the beginning of each reign, if it is not in session, it shall be required to reassemble without delay.

It has the right of police over the place of its sittings, and over the environs which it shall have determined.

It has the right of discipline over its members; but it cannot impose punishment more severe than censure, arrest for eight days, or imprisonment for three days.

It has the right, for its security and for the maintenance of the respect that is due to it, to dispose of the forces, which with its own consent shall be established in the city where it shall hold its sittings.

5. The executive power cannot cause any body of troops of the line to pass or sojourn within thirty thousand toises of the legislative body, except upon its requisition or with its authorisation.

Section II. Holding of the meetings and the form of deliberation.

1. The deliberations of the legislative body shall be public and the minutes of its sittings shall be printed.

2. The legislative body, nevertheless, may at any time form itself into committee of the whole.

Fifty members shall have the right to require it.

During the continuance of the committee of the whole the clerks shall retire, the chair of the president shall be vacant order shall be maintained by the vice-president.

3. No legislative act shall be deliberated upon or decreed, except in the following form.

4. There shall be three readings of the project for a decree at three intervals, each of which shall not be less than eight days.

5. The discussion shall be open after each reading; nevertheless, after the first or second reading, the legislative body