The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-30

s'rilsr political principles As with us, there
l here central government, while the se0eIal
States, twenty. Two in number. retain, each for
itself the powers over internal affairs that have
not been Delegated Tbe unity of the people for
blshCd, as by us bv a uniyersab inter-
cltlzenshtp. giving the rights of a native born
10 any citizen Of any one of them Ia any
government extend, as with us, TO atu raIiza-
tion, commerce. and navigation, weights aud
measures, coin, copyrights and patents, army,
militia navy. post office Some powers are CON
fe1Ted directly, about which our Constitution is
less explicit. The German Union has the regu-
lation of the telegraph, of banks. and of paper
currency, the regulation Of railroads for MILF
CONNER ce. Should any Govern ment prove re-
fTactory the General Government las the am
plest power of coercion--instantiy by the Com
mander.in- hief of the Union in time of war.
after consultation with the Council in time of
peace. Coercion can extend even to the seuues-
tration of the land and of its local goVernn nent.
And tn us, legislation is carried on by
the German senate is called. is composed OF 43
members. Each state names at least one cOun-
cilor; otherwise, the distribution of members
follows the precedent of the late German Diet,
so that Prussia nOmtnates IL. The appointment
is made respectively by the Executive OF the
several States. But IL is to be remembered that
in eaen State there is a Constitutional Govern
mtnt, so that the election of councillors is
raised above the caprice Of the Princes OF the
Toe House OF Representatives, or Imperial
Diet, as IL is called, is composed of297 members,
distributed on the ratio OF one to every 100 900
inhabitants, with further representative to
each State for fraction of $4,000 or more, and
chosen by universal suffrage with the ballot.
No advantage is conceded to rank or privilege
or wealth, and accordingly the Diet ust oecte |,
including bankers, large manufacturers and
members of the highest nobility, men OF let
ters, mechanics and laboring men, Is a very
good representation of the whole country In
Its present condition. The members OF the re-
Preventative Diet are elected for three years.
They car be assembled prorogued by the
President of the United States, but they can
not be dissolved without the concurrence OF
the other branch of the Legislature.
Each House, as with us, has the right to pro.
pose laws, to amend them, to reject them, or to
concur in enacting them; but In practice most
of the bill ure prepared and proposed by the
smaller body representing the several States.
The President of the German United States is
the King o Prussia. HIS powers are very much
like those of our President, only they are for
life and are hereditary; aud a great Intensity
OF executive authority is conceded, from the
necessity of guarding against restless aud sus-
ceptible eigGbors. He is sCommander-in.C Chief
of all landand naval forces; he declares war,
and restores peace; he directs international re-
lations but treaties that affect legislation have
no validity until they receive the appreciation
of both branches OF the Legislature He APP
points to offices, and has also the power of
removal; only the terms in which the power OF
removal are granted imply that IL is not to be
exercised capriciously.
Some regulations differ entirely from ours.
No members of the Diet may, as such, receive
any pay or compensation whatever; but ONCE
holders are eligible as representatives, and their
pay may continue durlng the session. There
is nothing in the North German Constitution
which forbids the Two Houses from sitting sepa-
ratelS; but the members of the Council may
attend, and do attend the meetings of the Diet;
and though they cannot vote with the Diet,
they take part in its deliberations. This has
led to an opinion that the Council is not sepa-
rate branch of the Legislature, but the opinion
is unfo lnded. The Council has its own meet
ings, its own deliberations, and its own time
aud place OF voting, ana has legislative attri-
butes as surely as the American Senate.
The session of the Parliament which has Just
come an end has been marked by industry
public spirit, and forbearauce Without wasting
time in selERratulatious, rhetoric or party
+ uds, the members have. in about thirty
siltings, ratified treaties of the greatest moment,
and considered and enacted twelve most i'm
portant measures of immediate necessity; and
it is worth Observing that the legislation of this
Parliament for all North Germany Is on the
whole, more liberal than that OF the separate
Legislatures But while much has been done,
much more remains to be done before the Ger
man United States will complete their organi-
zation. / remain, sir, yours sincerely,
GEORGE Il BANCROFT
Hon. William II. Seward, Secretary of State,
etc. etc.