For each vacancy in the council-general of the department, they are to present two names; certainly, almost without any help, and with only a discrete hint, they will guess the suitable names.

For they are smarter, more open-minded, than the backward and rural members of a cantonal assembly; they are better informed and better "posted," they have visited the prefect and know his opinion, the opinion of the government, and they vote accordingly.

It is certain that one-half, at least, of the candidates whom they present on the list are good, and that suffices, since twice the required number of candidates have to be nominated.

And yet, in Napoleon's eye, this is not sufficient.

For the nomination of general councilors,[4123] as well as that of municipal councilors, he suppresses preliminary candidature, the last remnant of popular representation or delegation.