New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-07

Chambers. The settlement of the budget was de-
layed until February 1865 and at no time during this
interval was any other demand made upon the
Chambers which would lead them to believe that
any other sum than ten millions would he requisite
for the year. that the Minister intended To proceed
otherwise under the bill granting the loan of twenty
four millions than had been proposed by the Govern
ment. and agreed to by the Chambers. In the mean
time however Baron Won der IIeydt had been
Quoting financial operation outside of the Legisa-
ture. which in contradiction 10 the bill of 1861
granting the loan which had become law, and also in
opposition to the budget laid before the Chamber Of
Deputies, for in December 1861, he sold
the entire loan of twentv-four millions to
an association OF bankers at the rate
of % per cent. and the amount realized under this
transaction. %, 100000 thalers was paid into the
treasury. Although the Chambers were at the same
time voting $4,000 thalers the interest on the
100000 il thus became necessary to pay interest
on the entire loan. The State owed ,0SO0OO thalers
of interest, 10000 thalers of which had not been
asked or accorded by the Legislature and this sum
Baron Won der Heydt did not hesitate TO take ont OF
the treasury without further ado. lie was fortunate
enough TO obtain 100000 thaers by a saving OF in
terest IN other matters hut the remaining $4,000
thacrs were placed rs excess over the bud
Get and forms a part OF the deficit for
brought TO the attention of the Chamber
of IDENTITIES when they were requested to provide
means for covering this deficit. 1t has been
tanned that the entire amount realized from the loan
has not been expended in the purpose for which it
was dcsigned for the year 1865 the amount actually
applied to the construction of railroads was much
less than the ten millions estimated in the budget for
that year. and the work the roads has not yet been
finished; and it is certain that ont of the - 100000
there are 100000 halers lying idle in the treas
ury. The action of Baron Won der lleydt was one
which not only compromised himself, but the entire
ministry of that time and it became a matter of
interest how much knowledge the other minis
tiers had of his proceedings. The question was
brought before the Chamber of Deputesla Thurs
day on a report from the Committee on the Budget
Baron Won der Heydt, however who is a member Of
that Chamber, had already secured himself from be-
ing called to account by obtaining leave of absence
and departing for ltalv On the opening of the dis
cuSSlon there minister present but Herr
Camphausen. Professor Nirchow, one of the leaders
of the PTOgTeSsiyeS speaking for the Committee,
called attention to this fact asserting that not only
was Baron Won der Heydt concerned, but the re-
SponSibty of all the ministers, who held places IN
the beginning of 1865. was involved. And may not
the Minister President have known of it +" he said,
or NAV not he have had an understanding with
the Minister of Finances at that time
These serious financial operations took place at
time when grave foreign relations darkened
the political horizon, said the present Minister of
Finances and he added that he conjectured this was
the reason for filling the treasury. If that were
really the case it could only be in agreement with
the Minister President and perhaps with the entire
Ministry; and we could conduct this debate without
waiting to ascertain the real motive from the Dep
t,t,- Raro der | mg
this rather strange proceeding in the finances could
not have been unexpected if those famous words bad
ouy been recalled We wilstake money where We
can find it, The speaker referred in very severe
terms to the oflense Of Baron Won der lIeydt, and
closed by stating very concsey that IN Prussia min
i.teral responsibility is of those pa dosidGfd
regarding which the Constitution afforded legti-
mate hope. but nothing more The Committee was
therefore not in a condition to propose criminal
prosecution of the offender. Herr CamphauSen, in
reply did not attempt to pallate the otense of his
predecessor but still the Chamber not satisfied
and seeing the course matters taking. he sent
a message 10 Count Bismarck to attend the debate
who arrived while Herr LaskeT. National Liberal
was holly inycighing against the former Minister
As soon as the speaker had taken his seat. Count
Bismarck commenced his speech.
81 had imagined ." he said, that the present Minister
Of Finances and his representatives would be able 10
81
you would grant an indemnity to the former financial adj
miniStratiOu for the Illegal measures, regard IL as
quite natural that you demand thorough rcclhcdtun
OF the breach OF law am ny no means aSlohshtu ~
this demand, and am certain that the Minister OF n
Will satisfy il completely hope that IN conSe-
dueuce you will grant the indemnity and renouncc fur
her prosecution IN the matter, but have no judgment
10 render you can depend however upon the Tree ana
prompt assistance of the Ministry of state. and partcu
arly the Minister of Finances in clearing the mat
in future similar breach Of law. The prln
clpal reason Tor my aIPe9rinG mere sOp"y boye
come to my which concern me IN special manner
at my absence from the discussions because was inter
S1, Coz Treign Affair." As regards me first of These
characters | assume that notwithstanding his long
oynrunt he va.ty oyereuates The position of The
Minister President and the relations Of the Ministers
among themselves. thought II could not escape even
lin that, ministries at present constituted and
beside each other about like eight states united by
federal constitution Laughter The rule Is the flsht
Of independent action of each ministry the exception is
the obligation to bring subjects OF ministry to NE MIN
isty OF state for Its information ana action whether
Whether !HIs t can Be nar@qnIzed Win the the
is not to-day my business to inquire am only obliged
to state the fact as il IS II Is certainly not necessary Tor
the Minister President to be acquainted WITH an me ope-
rations Of the different minsires-indeed 1t IS hardly pos
traton that of the Minister OF Finances ana Tor the
other ministers IL much less possible Besides II IS I'M
practicable for each OF the eight ministers TO understand
the business affairs OF ne seven cOeasues Is wen s MS
own The ministerial labor must be diminished If the re-
spOnslblty not 10 slhk lllo mere pHIdhc II is
possible for minister to be Responsible Tor thing mat
be know. The measure which Is here assdilcd
would have remained unknown 10 me as Minister
President much longer than 1t really was. II !
had not heard 1t accidentally about last Spring.
The effect which II had upon me was that
m concert with my colleagues requested the Minister Of
Finances uurescryody lay the state Of the Prussan
finances only before his colleagues, but before the
cOUHtry AZ, opinion, nothing should be kept IN
secret about the of the State II this principle
had been adopted do not believe that another body
last year would have rejected all taxes when they were
necessary II Prof. NirchOw remarked beside can
scarcely believe II. hut heard IL from sure source
that the Luxembourg question Voice: Minister OF ~
-, inn N Annh