In the Papal kingdom, the Pope or his Minister says to the citizens,
"Here is what you have to pay!" And he takes the money, spends it, and
never more alludes to it except in the vaguest language.
Still, in order to afford some sort of satisfaction to the conscience
of Europe, Pius IX. promised to place the finances under the control
of a sort of Chamber of Deputies. Here is the text of this promise,
which figured, with many others, in the _Motu Proprio_ of the 12th of
September, 1849.
"_A Consulta di Stato_ for the Finances is established. It
will be _heard_ on the estimates of the forthcoming year. It
will examine the balance of accounts for the previous year,
and sign the vote of credit. It will give its advice on the
establishment of new, or the reduction of old taxes; on the
better distribution of the general taxation; on the measures
to be taken for the improvement of commerce, and in general
on all that concerns the interests of the public Treasury.
"The Councillors shall be selected by Us from lists
presented by the Provincial Councils. Their number shall be
fixed in proportion to the provinces of the State. This
number may be increased within fixed limits by the addition
of some of our subjects, whom we reserve to ourselves the
right to name."
Now, allow me to dwell briefly upon the meaning of this promise, and
the results which have followed it.
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