, 1875-02-06
THE PRUSSIAN DIET.

BERLIN, Jan. II,
While the German Parliament is still sitting at
Berlin, the Prussian Parliament was opened on Sa-
turday by the Finance Minister, Herr CamphausenI
with the following Speech from the Throne -
"Illustrious, Noble, and Honoured Gentlemen of
both Houses of the Landtag,- Ills Majesty the EN-
perOr and King has been graciously pleased to COM
mand me to open the Landtag Of the Monarchy in his
name.
+" In accordance with the letter of the Prussian
Constitution, the Lantag bad to be convened before
the sitting of Parliament, which will help them to
overcome the difficulty of carrying on their debates at
the same time. Notwithstanding the pressure upon
many branches of industry and commerce, the condi-
ton of the public finances is satisfactory. Having
proited by the f%lourishing state of the revenue the last
few years not only to promote the material and intel
lectual interests of the country, but also to diminish
taxation and pay off a considerable portion Of the
public debt, we are now benefited by this prudent
forethought. The practice too, of estimating the va
riOus sources of the public income at a comparatively
low figure has not a little contributed to prove the
Budget correct, and will continue to do so. Though
the Estimates for 1875 have had to be drawn up with
due regard to the taxes RENTED, the considerable sur
plus of 1878, which is still in our hands, permits us to
satisfy the increased demands of 1875. From the
Estimates 10 be Immediately submitied you will per-
ceive that a large sum has been set aSde to add to the
income of the clergy and elementary Teachers, to de-
velope all branches of public instruction, to further
science and art, to extend the railway system of the
State, to construct harbours, canals, and roads, and
to improve agriculture and the breeding of cattle.
Your activity this Session will be likewise devoted
to the great works of continuing administrative reform
and Strengthening local self government. The laws to
be submitted to you will complete the work begun by
the new County Statutes, being limited to those Pro-
Vinces to which these statutes specially refer. A Bill
for the administration of the Provinces will be again
submitted to you, and in connexion with it another
Bill, comforting certain sums of money upon these
PrOvinnoo n opublo tboun n. Iocrou tlOir Tooo1 oyoou
diture. Under these same Bills, Berlin is to be form
ed into a separate Province. The police courts hav-
ing been reconstructed under the now county and
district laws, Superior Courts of the same class are
to be instituted to complete this useful reform. Adj
ministrative institutions being thus entirely remodelled
IN those Provinces affected by the new County
Statutes, we shall be gaining experience which may
De turned to account in preparing similar Bills for the
remaining Provinces. Rural colonization and the
engagement of rural labourers is another topic which
has attracted the attention of His Majesty's Govern
ment. You will be invited to revise the statutes
bearing upon these subjects, and to discuss further
measures for the suppression of epidemic disease
among cattle, and for the formation Of Associations
having for their object the Protection of Woods and
Forests. The necessity for the improvement of coun-
try roads has long been generally recognized, and
but for the want of the proper local authorities would
have beensattended to. Now that the new County
Statutes have come into force, the time has arrived to
submit to you Bills bearing upon the construction of
ROADS, as we'll as OF streets and squares in cities. The
new provincial Boards, being specially endowed by
the State, will be called upon to defray the expenses
ofmaking new roads and to devote particular atten-
ton in this department. 1t is likewise very urgent
that Catholic congregations should be enabled to look
after the administration of Church property and in
trust the same to persons elected by themselves. A
Bill on this head will reach you as soon as possible.
The Bill regulating the relations of orphans and guar
dams will be again admitted to you.
uH..t.- Hlo tooI. r.. H. p.eopA Caeeso,
for which your cooperation is requested by His Ma
jesty's Government, is of considerable Importance
for the development Of our legislation. His Ma
jesty's Government counts upon your tried patriotic
devotion to complete in the impending Session
reforms to which the greatest Importance is attached.
In the name of the Emperor and King, I declare
the Session of tho Landtag opened"