New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-19
THE PoLrTIcAL cRIsIs IN PRUssA.

rHE REJECTION OF TIE BILL FOR REFORM IN
THE PROVINCES BY TIE nERRENHAUS-IIIs-
TORY OF TIE NRAsURE-POsITION OF THE
MINISTRY TOWARD THE HOUSE.
IFROM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRlBCSkl
BERLIN, Nov. 1.-The telegraph has doubt
less aided YOU TO follow the general of the 6res
ordnung in the Upper House OF the Landtag and has
apprsed YOU Of It's rejection ia the session OF yesterday
Tie result excited surprise. The temper OF the mem
bers had shown unequyOcay, and the progress
Of the debates had developed such increasing bitter
ncss that the overwhelming majority the final vote
only verGes the universal prediction The situation is
grave, hut not at all menacing That it Is serious
check TO the progress OF internal reform In Prussia and
In q broader sense 10 tho cause Of popular rights
throughout Germany, is unhapply true; but that
the interruption will be only temporary and
that the Government VIII triumph in the end Is equally
clear. The crisis is moreover Characteristic one. 1t
presents the singular features of Conservative Minis
Try strenuousy pushing scheme OF liberal reform, and
Conservative majority refusing 70 allow the Crown to
abdicate Of its own pFcrogatyes There are also
underlying motives OF personal class Jealousy,
OF tho successful Of modern German statesmen.
lie who would thoroughly master the question at issue
must possess an intimate knowledge OF the Prussan
system and must search among traditions and privileges
which date from the time OF Charlemagne but a fair
idea OF the principles involved is not difficult TO give.
Prussia is dyidediuto provinces districts KreiS, and
cOmmunes. The first are generally natural geOgIaphi
cal divisions such found in OF the States Eu-
rope; the last the townships all TeuOnic States
The EreiSe the contrary arbitrary departments
created for Administrative convenience. They embrace
somotimes several cOmmuDes sometimes only one and
often include within their compass free baiiwicks feuda
communes, and other relics Of medieval institutions. In
loose sense they may be compared to American eOun
ties The chief executive officers, called Landfthe,
OF present appointed nomiualy by the King really by
the petty soveregns OF the interior The legislation for
these districts is ntrusted assembly in which the
81 80
hands Of the bougeose and the peasanty Thus these
pfOpretors, by Of their control over the mas
tracy and thereby the police, and their superior
thory in the assemblies WELD In the districts power
pretty nearly absolute in all internal affairs The usages
and laws on which this power may be traced
have said back TO the middle ages and relics Of the
old German feudalism.
Now as the victory over Austria in 1866 seemed 10 de-
mand as a recognition of their services
sons by the people, this subject Of the administration of
the counties taken up. From and another
however, tho reform not nodded into bill till 1870
and then the outbreak OF the set II back
The close Of the and the reconstruction of the En-
pre made necessary more important legislation so that
the bill again taken up till last Winter when II
was passed by the Lower House. The ramibcatons Of
this measure fare wide and It's details minute The two
reforms which were the most obvious, and which may
be called constitutional tended TO for tho peas
onry and Donrgeose greater power in the county as
semblies, and then 70 give these assemblies the cleo
ton of the Landrahe The power OF the nobility in legs
laton was TO be euaed and its executive power meas
ured oy its power In the Assembly. The Government
then ordered a recess TIL the Fall. The present 10
therefore an extraordinary session. OF rather continu
alton OF the regular session. and by means Of this
raDgement the bill was saved as 1t passed the House Of
Deputies In shape TO be submitted 10 the Peers promptly
the reOpenng OF the Chambers This also gives the
opportunity TO prorogue the Landtag at
any hour thus putting end TO the present session.
and Of calling the members together for the regular
don Immediately afterward Under the rules project
which has been defeated be again taken up the
session. There lie no chance Of an agreement
tween the two Houses the Rresordaung bl so that
che measure is for this session but f the new
should be ordered the House OF Deputies could re-
pass and send w the Peers the MEASURE with