No. 193.
Mr. Francis to Mr. Fish.
Athens, April 6, 1872. (Received April 30.)
Sir: The new chamber of deputies was opened by the King yesterday, April 5, on which occasion he delivered from the tribune at the Parliament House an address, of which the following is a translation:
It is with much happiness that I see around me the representatives of the people whose prosperity is the object of my ardent solicitude.
Providence has vouchsafed to give me another royal son, to whom my august father, the King of Denmark, has given at the font of baptism the name of Nicholas.
[Page 239]My relations with foreign powers are friendly, and I have the firm hope that no difficulties in the future will intervene to disturb this good harmony.
It is with pleasure that I announce to you that the public security has so far improved that even during the excitements of the recent elections no serious troubles have anywhere occurred within the kingdom. I sincerely hope that this security will be still further strengthened through the earnest concurrence of the people.
The suspension of legislative proceedings postponed the vote of the budget, and prevented the enactment of necessary law for the collection of taxes. Meantime public expenses have accrued, and in the vote of the budget now it will be necessary to provide for them. So far, we have gone on collecting taxes upon the basis of last years assessment.
My ministers will present to you the budget for this and next year, with the necessary bills for taxation.
In addition to these they will present some important bills for strengthening the public faith, enlarging means of communication, and the improvement of the public service, upon which is based the welfare of the country.
I am confident that the representatives of the people in the chamber will apply them-selves with an earnest zeal to mature and pass into laws measures having these just objects in view.
Let the love for our dear country be our constant guide. Let us, under the protection of the Most High, unite our steady endeavors for the common welfare. And, in this purpose, let us invoke the Divine assistance to give us the will and strength to do our duty.
I declare this the opening of the first session of the fourth period of the assembly.
At the conclusion of the royal speech, cheers were given to the King.
The first duty of the chamber will be to decide upon the election returns. This will probably lead to an exciting debate, as it is understood that the opposition have determined to stoutly contest the election of nearly one-third the returned members, who, it is declared, have no just right to their seats. But probably the existing ministry will hold the majority, at least for the present, and affairs will not be materially changed.
I am, &c,