New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-06
BLS.NARCR'S SYSTEM.

The minority in the German Parliament op
posed to repressive legislation against the 80
ciaIlsts has decreased. Only 81 votes are re-
corded against the anti-SOcialist bill OF this
year. q large section of the Centre or Catholic
party having changed their views since 1873
That influential party then presented an un-
broken front against the Government, and i'll
several instances openly aided in elcctlng So
cialist deputies. Their vote is now divided ana
the new measure is carried by an overwhelming
majority. The original act which would nave
expired early next year, has been prolonged untll
September 30, 1884 TIE only modification beng
a clause cxcmptng Legislators from the arbitrary
action of the local authorities. This force bill
has been reenacted ut q time OF prot0un tran-
GUILTY., when the excitement caused by the TWO
nefaIious attempts to kill the Emperor mas
passcd away. the Minister who introduced
the Act was at his wits end to justify his de-
mand for its passage. He admitted that MOTH
ing had been accomplished by the state OF SIEGE
but insisted that it must be prolonged for four
years lest the Socialists should take advantage
of the expiration Of the Act. The Government
he said, could not lay down the keen-edged
sword which had been placed in its hand. The
Reichstag has not compelled it to diSaTm. The
law remains in force. But why should Bis
marck expect that his force bill will be more
effective in the future than it has been in thu
past7 lie alternately cOaxes and bullieS the
political parties in the Parliament and always
manages to have his own way, but whenever
there is popular election tic Socialist vote
increases
How can it be otherwise when the main
causes of popular discomfort remain The
burdens of the military establishment are worse
than ever, for over twenty-five thousand men
have been added to The army, and the training
period of the reserve has been prolonged to
eighteen weeks every year. A people with in
dustrlal instincts is growing weary of uncndng
barrack life and increasing war:.budgets in time
Of peace The pressure OF tho hard times IL
still felt, and in country where there is so
much special legislation as there IS in the Faith
erland, the Government is held responsible.
The citizens are as arbitrary as the Government
which insists upon treating thcm like children.
They are convinced that the times would be
better and they themselves more prosperous, ii
the right measures were adopted by the GOv-
eminent. Bismarck makes one experiment
after another. new tariff bill is ennctcdj II
tobacco monopoly is proposed; the purchase
of all The railways by the State is urged in order
that there may be II uniform tariff for goods
throughout the Empire; the constitutional
rights of the fro towns are mcnacedj and the
federal system Of representation III the Bundles
rath is changed. But social evils like those
from which Germany is suffering cannot be
cured by positive legislation. The ChancclIors
activity and ingenuity may tell against him III
the end While he is cxhauSting his resources
the area of discomfort may he widening. He
is allowed to do as he likes and yet cannot
work ont his ends by legislation and military
prtssu The practical inference will DC that
his system of government is at fault.