The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-19

Our Berlin Correspondence.

The State of ADdtrs IN Pfussio--H,story OF the
Changes Affecting the Trodes-- Municipal Latcs
of Germany-Ihw Egect-Oppos,tioH of the
Rich to the Poor-Rstura of the Court to Ber-
li,,--Ihs Position of Hssse Casset-7he Acflon Of
Prussia- General Radotcits-Amertcan H1aors
to Jenny Lind, 3-c.
The retrograde movement of this country, which
commenced with the counter-revolution of Novem-
Der, lSIs, and the assumption o! the reins of GO
yernment by the Brandenburg Manteu fiel ministry,
is becoming daily more evident. Although it
would be impossible to state all the facts that bear
out this assertion in the space OF letter. there
a few salient points to which would call your at
tention, and which prove 10 demon the in
tentions of the government, not only to erase all
traces Of the revolutionary movement, but even to
do away with such liberal institutions as have been
enjoyed by Prussia for nearly half century.
After the disaster of Jena, which crushed the
Prussian monarchy to the earth, and all but put an
end to its existence, the late King-having disco
vered, by sad experience, the incapacy OF bis for.
ner advisers-cboss for his Prime Minister Baron
Stein, lSeral minded man, who introduced gra-
dual ameliorations in several branches of govern
ment. will give an instance Of some of these
changes in the system, which took place under his
administration. In this country, well as in
other parts of Germany, there was, and is still, in
some places, law in force requiring all trades
men TO belong to certain privileged guilds and
corporations, and prohibiting any person from
carrying on a trade who had not served regular
apprenticeship to il. This regulation had the effect
of the Hindoo system of castles; il continad every
one to his original occupation, prevented good
workmen from taking TO another trade if il suited
them better, and kept back everything in the same
jogtrot way in which it had been going on for ages
M. de Stein rescinded all such medpva laws, and
threw open every branch of trade to any one who
thought proper to take out licence, (the same as
IN France the charge varying according to the
extent of the business. For mechanics it was very
ow, and relieved them from all further restrictions
with regard TO guilds or corporations. Such was
the state of things previous to the revolution. new
law proposed by the Minister of Commerce, M.
Won der Heydt, and accepted by the late serve
Chambers, will effect complete change, or rather
il may be said to restore the former system. No
mechanics, handcrafsmen, manufacturers, butch
ers, bakers, &c, are to be allowed to carry
on their respective trades, without joining a
guild, exhibiting their skill, and proving that
they have served their time as apprentices
and Journeymen, and their indentures have
been regularly entered: The time they are
81
according TO the branch of trade; and any person
carrying on trade without undergoing an exam-
nation, is subjected to a heavy fine. A council,
elected from bosses and journey men in about equal
proportions, are to be the judges Of the proficiency
OF the applicant, and keep out all inteTlopers, NO
one being admitted to the examination without
having served regular apprenticeship. This is,
IN fact, putting an end 10 all competition, and rails
ing efiectual barrier against Improvement since
the most skilful workman in the world will not be
allowed to exercise his profession unless he has
passed though the prescribed routine. Should an
Arkwrght ever arise in Germany, this absurd re-
gulation would prevent him from welding any in
strument but his razor.
The next new law, now coming into operation,
refers TO the municipal administration Of the cities,
and is intended to modify an ordnance OF 1893,
which gave every citizen vote IN the election OF
The civic authorities. This kind OF charter
granted BY the late king rather by Stein, who was
of opinion IL e the pe ST way the people 10
the exercise OF more important functions was TO be-
gin by inyTsiing them with the power OF choosing
their own local officers. Unfortunately, II became
evident duiing the revolution, aud for some time
after, that tltTe was a strong democratic element
in the municipal council, which displayed itself on
various occasions IN a manner most dispieasing 10
the King and his Ministers, To weaken this, and
10 strengthen the conser alive faction, the mode OF
election introduced for the second chamber, and
which ! have analysed in a former report, was
applied 10 The corporation elections; that Is 10
say, the cizens were divided Into three classes,
according 20 their income, each class electing the
same number OF common councilmen. by this ad-
mirable arrangement, the vote OF man OF rising
80 600 year goes far as that OF ten persons with
an income OF only 500, while such citizens as are
not house eepers or who state their annual receipts
at less than $780, which Is the case here with many
Of the poorer classes OF tradesmen, are altogether
excluded from voting. by man1uvres OF this KIND,
about 5000 voters, mostly belonging to the demo-
cratic party were struck off the lists, while 5000
officers OF government aud placemeu, who by the
former lave were not allowed 20 take any share IA
municipal elections. were admitted. The result
lwh m had hfP
men, eTis.Cc.ats, great manufacturers, known as
jealous worshifpers of the powers that be, ana
even a prince, (RadziviD a cousin OF the hing,
were elected members OF ths municipal council, as
the fiuest peruns to watch over the welfare OF the
citizens, aud examine the accounts, receipts, and
expenditures OF the city. The democratic element
beng thus entirely excluded, and the wishes OF the
King and hr ministers accomplished TO The fullest
extent, del uiation Of the ne WY elected me mber5
Of the town couEcil waited his Majesty al Pots
dam 10 inform lin that the city of Berlin had now
emerged from The tramnels of the party OF de.
srrction, and vndieaed its ancient reputation Tor
loyalty ard devotion 10 the cAus. ~ monarchy In
the transports Of JOY occasioned by thus victory,
they cane To entreat his Majesty aud the Queen TO
take up heir residence again at the capital lwhere
neither Of tbs ~ have slept night since the hfst
days OF the ruyOluton). This population Was most
Craciously received BY the King, who, in his usual
lengthy aud pompous style ct snescbifying, ex-
pressed the heartfelt satisfaction he experienced at
the resuli Of the elections and promised 10 return
TO Berlin s1on rs the Qnren, who Is IN delicate
health, tbouli be sufficiently recovered to leave
her presert res dence Il is said that th- 18th Of
October, Biz Majesiy's birth day, will be fixed on
for his iumphal entry iato The cI;y; and here are
various reports afloat Of iumnaiions, and other
Tejolcings. Ivy which the new town council pro-
pose TO Gel, brste this auspcious evcnt. The Peo-
ri, most interested IN his return re the puvcyors
Of the court, and other hangers 90, who expect To
derive some pecunisry advantage from II as for
the public in geseTal, they care very hie
about n, whether he stays here or Rot. In
tact, the late revolutionary movement has been
succeeded by an apathy In politics, OF which
an American, who has not b,ea the c0nii-
nsnt OF Europe, csn form no idea. The police
IL all powerful About a thousand armed coasta-
HES are continually pafrolling Inc streets, and Ver
sens who ore "suspe cttd of being suspicious" are
arrested without any ceremony, OF ordered TO leave
the town ia twenty four hours, on pain Of mPrson-
ment. Tie other day a farce was performed at
one Of the theatres con aiming sonie passages that
gave umbrsge TO the authorities, whereuPon TIE