The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-06-11

I
Exciting Debate in the Refchstag.CoIiisiou
! Between the PrIssian Treasury and the
Bund-Baron Won Der Hcydt Baited-Strong
Speeches from Bismarck and tho OPPOSE
tion-A Threat of MISUNDERSTANDING Of
Swords--A Governments Defeat-N0 Supplies
Forthcoming.
BERLIN. May "a. 1869.
Friday and Saturday were devoted by the Reich
stag the discussion Of the often mentioned internal
revenue or tax bills which the North German gov
eminent proposes with the view OF relieving the
| Prussan finances. A memorial has been addressed
for this purpose by the Prussian Minister OF Finance
Baron Won der Heydt to the Bund Chancellor who
laid 1t before the Reichstag. II begins with the ad
mission OF deficit existing for the last two years in
the Prussan Treasury and shows its inevitable ana
rapid increase for the present and next year. To
medy this unlucKy state OF things and enable Prussia
to pay Its allotment to the Confederate government
the Rechstag Ia asked to vote variety Of taxes to
be levied directly for the Confederation, whereby
Prussa's budget would be greatly eased in lessening
the apportiOnment These duties on alcohol beer
gas, petroleum, sugar, stamp duty on commercial
transactions and on receipts, and ten per cent on
railway fares.
II the North German Reichstag would take no
action for the purpose OF relieving the Prrfssan
Treasury r would force the government of that State
to have recourse to measures highly oppressive and
injurious to the country. The memorial further
states that Prussia could not increase her indirect
taxation. and that In order to the deficit her
direct taxes would require an augmentation Of fifty
per cent which would weigh altogether too heavily
on the poor classes. The only way to avoid down.
right calamity Is the granting Of more revenue to
the Bund government; otherwise the Prussian ad-
mnstratlon would have to strike out In Its etdt the
most useful and necessary expenditures and
incur the danger OF not fulfilling its past obligations
1t was, Of course, this drastic document which
furnished arguments for the debate to both parties
the one being the Bund Chancellor and the ultra
conservatives-among these Baron Won der Heydt
(who sits In the Rechstag representative only,
and the other the free conservatives, national lib
erals ortschritt, and all other parties One OF the
Bund government officials introduced the bill by O
lengthy expose Of its necessity Its beauties and the
facility OF levying the proposed taxes. The first
speaker Of the oppostion-a moderate national lib.
eral--admitted that the deficit OF Prussia was con-
sequence OF the events OF 1866 but did not consider
batch OF indirect duties as the proper remedy,
sia's financial department would be joined to
that or the Confederation, thereby deprivng |
d SssSa y0a d sxss s e ss SanS
Count Blsmarck's system, based upon his pgop,fG |
persona, forces the. deepest resignation upon the |
Prusslan Minister Of Finance. This will be fully |
acknowledged on the day when history notes down |
Birmarck's retirement from Office. We have will |
ingly voted ism the entire budget, but cannot con-
sent 10 new taxes. The work demanded from us in |
the Reichstag belongs indeed the Prussian Diet,
and as TO the menaces contained IN the memorial, |
they do not here require any criticism.
Count BISMARCK, rising In reply, said that the |
suspension OF expenditures spoken Of in the Prus-
sian memorial was merely a notification that II |
money was refused them they could not spend any |
ana should not be construed into q menace me |
understanding between the Prussian Minister Of |
Finance and the Bund administration was an excel |
lent one and nothing was done without his consent.
(Hear Hear , 1t was supernu0us TO hint at tine |
high degree OF modesty and patriotism reached by |
Baron Won der eydt in his position towards the Bund
ba w IN WI dna
modesty, received his Instructions from the Prussian
Minister Of Finance. (iilarlty.)
multitude OF taxes proposed to the Relchstas with
formidable battery, every disabled gun of which may
Kind 81 new 8 Hs Soaa vote of
ment monopoly OF toDacco as least injurious to home
industry.
Baron voS DER HEYDr-It has been said that the
Improvement Of It, finances was matter for the
II seems 10 ae thas ths Reichstae IL n@ny neresea
IN the deplorabe condition Of the treasury OF the
10 the Fund esar instead OF
10 the several State mas been admitted
IN israer her sessions Prussia has no means e
meet with immense difficulties, her requirements
many just claims had necessarily been laid on the
table, ECONOMY in military matters was out OF the
question, as the grants to that department were the
minimum Of what was required by the present po.
ltcal situation. He had, therefore, thought 1t his
duty to enlighten his colleagues upon the true
dton Of affairs, whereupon they AL stood aghast.
No blame should be attached to the variety OF the
duties proposed as It was intended TO distribute the
burden equally upon various classes.
Dr. WALDECK.-We cannot vote duties for budget
which excludes the military etat. Let the Coniede-
ration raise It's revenue as 1t was agreed TO- by APP
portionment among the several States Tue only
salvation lies IN economy i'll the Military department.,
without which you drive those out or the country
who hardly abe TO bear any longer the burdens.
Tue Bund was constituted under the promise tnat
the taxes In Prussia should diminish which IL im-
possible without retrenchment.
Deputy LAsKER.-Ihe time given us, almost az the
close OF the session. TO investigate the bills,
"A IL
ment OF Confederate Minister OF Finance induce
me TO vote Tor them. Minister OF Finance, who
to have been two and nalt years ago In an excel
Lent condition ana VINO now describes II as Ell.
trely disorga 1iZed-questiOnng even that which
Prussia's opponents have never dared to qucs-
ton, the fudlment OF It's just iabilities-is not
fit TO administer the finances OF a large State. IL
was IN the Diet he described our position cOleU
de rose, and here black just az itwoud suit his
purpose. do not consider him credible witness.
Tie memorial really contains q menace inasmucl
a. II threatens TO strike out necessary expenditure,
being totally silent on that which - superluous.
The Prussian government has carried on two wars,
and still had surplus Ia the treasury, while 1t Is
now asserted that suddenly all her resources are
dried up. The military eat has been mentioned,
but as thls Is matter OF agreement on all SIDES, no
attempt should be made to disturb II before its ex
piratlon, in two years from This time. II we to
vote new revenue at present we should then be told
that the iron military etat should remain In stdtu
quo. Let Prussia proceed with her internal reforms,
as so often promised and vast economy will be
the result We here are not In position 10 Judge OF
Prussias necessities and much less within short
period as eight or ten days. reduction has been
made IA the rates OF postage, and to-day we are
asked TO tax railway tickets. We VIII not incur the
responsibility OF voting these taxes, because they
are lar from representing anything like well d.
gested system OF finance.
Count BIsAARoK.-l have asked you for bread,
gentlemen, and you give me a stone You act as n
the functions OF yourselves representatives and
those Of the government were entirely distinct The
money we ask is not for government, but for the
benefit OF the people. ], as Bund Chancellor, have
no particular interest In the fate OF the bill Your
refusal OF IL cannot AFFECT me. We have the conn-
gent state contribution, aud can look with the ut
most GOODNESS upon the Prussan financial imbroglio.
But wish to be able TO say TO myself that have not
been lacking IN endeavow to bring about solution,
nasmuch tue difficulties and the welfare OF Prlls-
STA must affect the Confederation At my instigaon
the Prussan Minister OF Finance has made clear
statement OF the m liter TO you, that you might
the bottom Of the we'll II with open eyes you refuse
government the means for carrying on the admins
tration you mus be prepared % occupy It's place.