The question of the legality of the decree for the suppression of the
minister of agriculture, industry, and commerce, and for the creation of a
ministry of the treasury, will be raised early in the session, and it
appears to be thought that the decree will not be maintained by Parliament,
in which case the ministry of agriculture will be reconstituted.
Mr. Cairoli, though in the opposition during several of the late ministries,
enjoys the confidence of all parties as an upright and conscientious man,
and though he had many difficulties to overcome in forming a cabinet, I do
not think that a factious spirit in any quarter constituted one of the
obstructions which delayed his success. The new ministry is by no means a
unit in its party sympathies, and it is at present quite impossible to
predict how far it will be able to agree upon a harmonious policy, or how
far it can command a parliamentary majority in support of the measures it
shall recommend.
A dissolution of the chamber of deputies and a new election are certainly
within the range of probabilities, but it is premature to speculate on the
result of a new election which, unless in case of some sudden change in the
foreign relations of Italy, will be controlled rather by local and personal
considerations than by political views of a wider scope.
[Inclosure in No.
746.—Translation.]
Speech of His Majesty the King, at the opening of
the Chambers, March 7, 1878.
Gentlemen Senators, Gentlemen Deputies: Next to
the unexpected death of my august father, to whom history has already
awarded the title of father of his country, nothing has caused me deeper
regret than my inability to avail myself directly of the counsels of my
country’s representatives. Now, however, that I have an opportunity once
again to open my heart to you, I feel the confidence again rising and
growing strong within me that we, being all inspired by the same idea,
shall be able constantly to solidify and render more fruitful the great
work to which the glorious founder of the kingdom devoted his life.
[Page 473]
The spontaneous accord of the affectionate sentiments, of which a
manifestation of so solemn a kind was called forth by the very
misfortune which visited us, proves to us that Italian unity is fixed
upon a foundation that cannot he shaken, and that we may henceforth
devote all our efforts to the study of the reforms which our people
await with patient confidence. This people, which, for so many years,
has been called to submit to exceptionable sacrifices, has understood
that it was necessary above all to secure the creation of a country
free, strong, and the mistress of its own destinies.
The reforms which, in the midst of the necessities of a growing country,
have not had time to be developed, formed the constant preoccupation of
the first King of Italy, during the last and too short period of his
existence. I have religiously accepted the legacy of this laborious
task, and I now appeal to you for your enlightened co-operation in the
performance of the duties which Providence and the will of the nation
have imposed upon me.
The chambers commenced, during the two foregoing sessions, an examination
of the most important reforms. This preparatory work, I trust, will not
be fruitless.
During the recess of Parliament, which was lengthened by a coincidence of
extraordinary events, my government submitted to a re-examination
several bills which I desire to recommend to your attention.
First in the order of importance is the reformation of the electoral law;
in which reformation my august predecessor took the initiative and which
he advised as being the crowning triumph of our political institutions.
This bill which, I do not doubt, you will carefully examine and sanction
by your votes, will secure a more complete and more sincere co-operation
of the popular will in the life of the state.
Other important bills will be presented to you, with a view to protecting
ministerial responsibility by an efficacious sanction, to securing the
autonomy of the communes and provinces, and to introducing reliable
rules, and such as are destined to guarantee personal liberty, into the
laws which protect public order.
With the design of simplifying the working of the executive departments,
certain plans will be submitted to you, the object of which will be,
without impairing the efficient control of the public funds, to extend
these same guarantees to all the departments, and to render the
administration of the government more prompt and vigorous.
Parliament and the country have urged, with an insistence which was quite
proper, the rectification of the laws designed to secure a just
assessment of taxes. This is a subject which requires attentive,
impartial, and patient examination. The condition of the treasury, which
is now improved, thanks to the courageous zeal of the law-makers, and
the patriotic devotion of the tax-payers, renders it possible resolutely
to undertake the transformation of the system of taxation, with a view
to lightening the burdens of the poorer classes, and to making amends
therefor, so far as possible, by means of a less costly administration
of the government, and by an assessment of taxes more in conformity with
social equity.
I am happy to announce to you that my government will at once submit to
your examination bills designed to bring about a reduction of the price
of salt and of the tax upon the grinding of grain. Bills will also be
submitted to you, the object of which will be to secure a larger income
from the other taxes which bear less heavily upon the necessaries of
life.
These will be the preliminary steps in a reform which will be completed
by an equalization of the tax on real estate, and by a re-assessment of
the taxes on articles of consumption.
This will pave the way to a permanent improvement of our municipal
finances, which are now in such a straitened condition.
We shall realize, from our new tariff and our commercial treaties,
considerable resources for the treasury, and still greater advantages
for our national industries. I urge you to examine, as speedily as
possible, the treaty which has been concluded with a view to settling
our exchanges with France on an equitable basis, inasmuch as these
exchanges are of the utmost importance to our commerce. Numerous
interests which are worthy of consideration demand the speedy
enforcement of this treaty.
The bills concerning parish property and forced circulation will again be
submitted to your examination. A bill regarding banks with a circulation
will likewise form the subject of your consideration.
Bills for the reduction of the rates of postage, for the improvement of
the telegraphic service, and for the development of means of
communication of all kinds, will aid in accelerating the work of
improving our financial condition.
The administration of justice, that first need of all periods, and
popular education, the main hope of the future, demand your attention;
together with the reforms tending to ameliorate and render secure the
situation of judges, to regulate the organization of the chief
magistrates of the kingdom, to solve the difficult problem of church
property, the commercial code, and the penal code, will again be
submitted to you. It is urgent to accomplish at last, by this latter, a
work of necessary unification, which is required by the national
unity.
Parliament, by ratifying the principle of compulsory education, which it
did last [Page 474] session, rendered it
obligatory upon the government to provide for the enforcement of this
principle. After urging the rising generation to attend school, we must
see that their educators are worthy of the name which they bear. The
bill will again be laid before you for the creation of a fund for the
benefit of elementary educational institutions. The bills designed to
give greater efficiency to scientific, literary, and professional
instruction, to protect monuments of art and history, and to reform the
superior board of education, have no need of any recommendation.
Knowledge is power. Italy, even during her greatest misfortunes, never
gave up the noble consolations of science and art. Being now free to
follow her own aspirations, she will seek her true greatness and her
true strength in the same pursuits which have been for her, during so
many centuries, the indomitable manifestation of her vitality and
unity.
The experience of the late war has forced all countries to remodel their
military systems. With your usual zeal for the honor of our flag, you
will surely favorably receive the propositions which will be presented
to you, to the end that, within the limits of our financial resources,
the arms and other means which military science is improving more and
more every day, may not be wanting to our army and navy.
My government has examined, as was required by law, and it has prepared
arrangements the object of which is to intrust the management of the
railways to private enterprise. I commend to Parliament the examination
of this bill which is of the highest importance.
The task of revising and correcting the general organization of the state
has become incumbent upon us at the very time when the events that are
occurring near us in the East are attracting general attention. While
maintaining in the midst of these vicissitudes the most cordial and
friendly relations with all the powers, we have religiously respected
existing treaties, and have observed a trustful neutrality free from all
suspicious precautions. Being desirous to secure lasting peace to
Europe, we have, without hesitation, consented to take part in a meeting
of the powers. Our candid impartiality will add to the efficiency of our
counsels, and the examples of our recent history will furnish us with
arguments in behalf of such solutions as may be most in accordance with
justice and the demands of human rights.
Such is our faith. It secures to us the most valuable of all alliances,
the alliance of the future. This faith is now being brilliantly
confirmed by the events which are taking place before our eyes. The
logic of justice and truth has already produced its beneficial
effects.
In the midst of circumstances so extraordinary for ourselves we have
beheld the occurrence of an event that was awaited as being pregnant
with difficulties. The Pontiff who had been at the head of the church
for thirty-two years has gone to his grave, lamented and venerated. The
traditional rites according to which his successor was chosen, have been
freely observed, without the slightest disturbance to the tranquillity
of the state, the conscience of the people, or to the independence of
the spiritual ministry.
By maintaining our institutions, and by constantly uniting a respect for
religious beliefs with the maintenance of the rights of the state and
the great principles of civilization, we have shown, and shall continue
to show to the world how fruitful of benefits is liberty.
Gentlemen Senators, Gentlemen Deputies, vast and multifarious subjects
are before you. Time, however, will not be wanting if the spirit of
harmony shall facilitate your labors. Our country is expecting the
fulfillment of your promises made long since. Having again become tree
and united, after so many centuries, it expects that wisdom will
preserve and increase the blessings of its good fortune for it.
I feel full confidence that in our hands Italy will continue to occupy
the high position in which she has been placed by the noble perseverance
of her first King and the virtue of her people.
