New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-12
BISN1RCK'S POLITICAL METHODS.


another and the Government. In its present
aspects it does not present any unusual degree
of complcxltv. The relations of parties ard
the tendencies of Bsmarck's system are practl-
caly unchanged, although larger use has
been made of the Emperor's personal influence
than heretofore. When the Reichsag met
early in the year, the proposal of biennial Bud
gets was renewed, but no attention was paid to
it, Appropriations were made Tor single
wear. n bill for tho introduction Of woIkingmen' 5
guilds was voted down and .another of Bis
marck's fantastic measures Of diluted State So
ciaism was summarily rejected The Reich
stag having taken recess IN February, the
Landtag met to Ia Ike up the Prusslan Budget
and before it adjourned in April it had thrown
ont another measure nomnaly designed TO
benefit the working classes, had adopted n
premature resolution in relation to the rev sion
of the May Laws greatly to the annoyance of
the diplomatists. and had rejected many OF the
Cover ment's financial proposals. only five
votes being given for one OF them. The Reich
stag on resuming its session after the adjourn
ment Of the Landtag received message from
the Emperor, countcT.igned by Bismarck, COM
planning that the social and economic reforms
proposed bv the Government had been SYSTEM
aticaly neglected and urging that the Budget
for the second year, 1851, be Immediately
voted in order to leave the succeeding session
free for special legislation in behalf of the
working classes. The Emperor direct recon-
mendations were not decisive in this contro-
versy between Bismarck and the Rechstag
over biennial Budgets. While the final votes
will be taken after the WhItsuntido recess,
there Is no reason to expect that the Deputies
will surrender their privilege OF regulating
taxation year by year. Indeed, Bismarck is al
ready quoted as declaring that the recent votes,
in which one party or faction after another has
opposed him, have convinced him that 1t is i'm
possible to carry out his policy of social reform
with the present ReichstaG Yet his recent cx-
periencc in appealing 10 the country against the
obstinate Deputies does not encourage him TO
summon a new Rechstag.
The lack of clearncss in German politics is
not due to any confusion caused by the two .eg-
islatIvc bodies which are alternately in session.
The relations of parties in the Imperial Reich
STAG and the Prussian Landtag are suhstan
tally the same. In each there is a strong body
of Conservatives which can be generally de-
pended upon to support the Government; and
IN each there are Liberal factions almost as
strong in numbers when they are united,
Catholic party which is compactly organized
and well directed, and "A group of struggling
factions. Neither in one nor in the other has
any single party clear majority Of the House
and the Government in order to secure the ac-
ceptance of its proposals is under the same ne
cessity in either Parliament of pittlng one
party against another and eking out n scant
majority by fantastic alliances and artificial
groupings. In the general relations of these
parties In the two bodies German and Prussian
politics seem ineligible enough but when
those parties and factions are analysed one by
one, and their political functions and aims are
examined, and when the relations Of those leg
islative bodies to the Government as whole
are critically studied, an inherent want of clear
ness is apparent. There is lack Of definite
ness in the political conceptions which the or
CARNATIONS represent. They seem to maintain
their existence solely by opposing Bismarck on
one question or another. There is nothing
that is positive in tho political ideas for which
they stand. Their leaders seem to he confused
by the very aimlessness of their political organ
izations and let their action he what it may,
let them throw out zone after another of Bis
marck's measures and waste session after SEES
sion in general debate, the Government is
not affected by their votes in opposition. The
new session opens the old proposals are re-
newed only to be thrown ont once more and
the Ministry remains undisturGcd, its existence
not being meuaccd by the narrowest minority.
The Finance Minister can afford TO smile even
If his License bill secures only five votes in
full House.
Now it is apparent that while these anomalous
political conditions make it impossible for Bis
marck to carry some of lis favoute measures
into execution and consequently tend to harass |
him, there are corresponding advantages. The
for legislative nactioD he can al
ways saddle upon the Deputies and with con-
summate adroitness he invariably cOntIives to |
place them in an eQuivQcal position before the
country The project on which he has set his |
heart biennial Budgets, is resisted very prop |
eIly by them, for they know that it would soon |
be followed by a demand for triennial Budgets, |
and eventually the Government would be large !
" releas ed from dependence upon the repre- |
sentatives of the people. But the Deputies I!
naturally dislike to be placed in the attitude Of
systematically opposing measures proposed for |
the ameliorntion of the working classes. Bis
marck accuses them of wasting session after
session in sterile debate over the money votes |
and of neglecting every measure of social and |
economic reform. He offers them the chance of
devoting every other session to useful and
benefcent legislation, and they insist upon go-
ing on in the old way. What are these national
debating societies, he seems to imply, but OBJ
A. &C I'll l.. 81, 0
Certainly nothing could be more adroit than