Word: chambers
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...most impressive material invention. In pre-Mussolini days the Italian Government was a constitutional monarchy modeled largely on the British system. The Italian Senate resembled the British House of Lords. Senators were (and still are) appointed for life by the King on the nomination of the Premier. The Chamber of Deputies, elected by universal suffrage, was like the House of Commons. It initiated legislation, formed and overthrew governments, held the actual reins of power. Now this system of government no longer exists even in form...
While the Senate is a revered Roman institution, the Chamber of Deputies-conceived in the 19th Century's surge of parliamentarianism-was not. Since 1925 (when Il Duce squelched all opposition) its chief activities have been to applaud Dictator Mussolini when he rose to speak, cheer him when he sat down and pass hastily and without debate any and all bills he wanted passed. Although 100% Fascist and a complete rubber stamp, the Chamber nevertheless remained a relic of the recent parliamentary past...
...soon as the corporations were going strong, Il Duce appointed a special commission to study the problem of using them as a basis for a new legislative body to replace the Chamber of Deputies. Last July he approved plans under which both the National Council of Corporations and the National Council of the Fascist Party (not to be confused with the Fascist Grand Council) would combine in a Chamber of Fasces and Corporations. Last October the Fascist Grand Council decreed the abolition of the old Chamber. Last December the Chamber obediently held its last session, sang Giovinezza, passed unanimously Signor...
...describing the new Chamber, Virginio Gayda, the Dictator's journalistic alter ego, called it a "new great revolutionary creation which has neither precedent nor equal in the political regime of any other country." Although in theory the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations will be able to initiate political and economic legislation, it is doubtful whether Il Duce will allow it to do much debating. Why the Dictator took all this trouble to organize a legislative body which will probably be just as much a rubber stamp as the Deputies were will probably remain a dark Fascist mystery. Perhaps Premier...
Active "House spirit" is manifested more in the Glee Club than in inter-House athletics, although the latter are generally participated in. Supplementing its Glee Club, is a chamber music group...