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48o P. S. Reinsch independent of central control. The powers originally granted to an appointive council were left unaltered when that body became an elective assembly. Nor was the national executive deprived of the authority of legislating for the colonies by decree or order in coun- cil ; this systhiic des dccrcts has become a special grievance of the colonies, since that time.' In 1871 colonial representation in the national parliament was re-established, the deputies being elected by universal suffrage. The system as it has existed since 1870 may therefore be briefly described as follows. The colonies participate in national legisla- tion through the presence of their representatives in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. General colonial legislation, however, is settled almost entirely by the national executive, and colonial mat- ters come up in the parliament only by way of interpellation or when the budget is being discussed. The local colonial assemblies originate much of the administrative legislation, either by the exer- cise of their powers enumerated above, or by deliberating upon measures which are given final force of law by arretc of the gov- ernor or decree of the head of the state. The civil service in the colonies is recruited chiefly by appointment through the governor ; but as he is himself dependent upon the majority in a general coun- cil, the latter body exercises great influence in the selection of public officials. It is the operation and the effects of this system in the years from 1870 to 1900 that we desire to investigate in an inquiry which may perhaps throw some light on the character of political life in tropical colonies among a colored population. The value of institutions like colonial representation in the national par- liament and elective local assemblies or councils is very much dis- puted, and but little is known about the exact influence of these in- stitutions upon political activity and party life both in the colonies and in the mother country. Other interesting questions that will claim our attention are the merits and defects of the " system of decrees," the extension of the national constitution to colonial pos- sessions, and the relations of colonial politics to religion, education and socialism. While not neglecting the political experience of Guadeloupe, as well as of French Guiana, we will take Martinique as the typical example of a French tropical colony. The political history of Martinique since 1870 may be divided into three periods. During the first decade the whites were still practically in control. The end of this period saw the organization of the mulatto government which resulted in the almost complete with- drawal of the whites from politics. While no clearly marked party ' It is the subject of Senator Isaac's book, Constitution et Sinatus- Consultes .