se members own the building in common, and each possesses a
property right more or less great, according to the greater or lesser
contribution he makes to the expenses of the establishment. Up to this
time no room has yet been found, either in the law or in minds, for this
very plain truth; its place is taken and occupied in advance by the
two errors which, in turn or both at once, have led the legislator and
opinion astray.

Taking things as a whole, it is admitted up to 1830 that the legitimate
proprietor of the local building is the central state, that it may
install its delegate therein, the prefect, with full powers; that,
for better government, he consents to be instructed by the leading
interested and most capable parties on the spot; that he should fix the
petty rights he concedes to them within the narrowest limits; that he
should appoint them; that, if he calls them together for consultation,
it is from time to time and generally for form's sake, to add the
authority of their assent to the authority of his omnipotence, on the
implied condition that he shall not give heed to their objections if he
does not like them, and not follow their advice if he does not choose to
accept it.--Taking things as a whole, it is admitted that, since
1848, the legitimate proprietors of the building are its adult male
inhabitants, counted by heads, all equal and all with an equal part in
the common property, comprising those who contribute nothing or nearly
nothing to the common expenditure of the house, the numerous body of
semi-poor who lodge in it at half price, and the not less numerous body
to whom administrative charity furnishes house comforts, shelter,
light, and frequently provisions, gratuitously.--Between both these
contradictory and false conceptions, between the prefect of the year
VIII, and the democracy of 1792, a compromise has been effected;
undoubtedly, the prefect, sent from Paris, is and remains the titular
director, the active and responsible manager of the departmental or
communal building; but, in his management of it he is bound to keep
in view the coming elections, and in such a way as will maintain
the parliamentary majority in the seats they occupy in parliament;
consequently, he must conciliate the local leaders of universal
suffrage, rule with their help, put up with the intrusion of their bias
and cupidity, take their advice daily, follow it often, even in
small matters, even in payments day by day o