Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-24

iPall.Man G,sette.i


Tie Hungarian Premier. VI. Tisza, has
brought out bis bill for the reform OF the
Iouse OF Magnates. His proposals are In
ieresting, as showing TO what extent the
situation IN Hungary resembles and vet
differs from our own, as well A. the politi-
cal ideas current In that country. We
propose to summarize briefly its leading
features. The upper house Of the Leg.s-
hture was the one political tnsfitu-
ton Of Hungary left untouched By
the radical changes o! lS4S. and
since the revival OF the Constitution in
1861 it, reform has been constantly 6iSr
cussed by Hungarian publicists. 1ee (oo
discussion had somewhat Of an ac9ooujo
air. The proposed reform was not felt = I
be an urgent necessity, because. either
from Indifference, tect, OF sense OF their
weakness, the Magnares acquiesced In all
the measures Of the Government approved
by the majority In the House Of Representa-
tlyes. so Il NAV be said thrt since 1861 the
single chamber system practically existed.
! THIS state OF things was put an end 70
by the repeated refusal OF the Maguates
last January 10 pass The bill legallzlng mar
riages between Christians aud Jews. And
here we meet with the apparent paradox
that the schemes proposed for the reform
Il stronger and more independent, and -
entered the domain OF practical poj1)1o ,
through display OF Independence On ~
part OF the unreformed House. OF coufsc
The explanation Of this seeming paradox IL
that the present House Is not only weak
but irresponsible. whereas It Is hoped that
with strength the new body will acquire
! wisdom. An Austrian critic has. however,
suggested that on some future occasion NJ.
lisa may have reason to cry, 4" Sicno non
nOJis."
As now constituted, the House OF Mag
mates i certainly form ess, indefinite, and
anomalous body. In 1881 more than seven
hundred persons were summoned to take
part in It's dcliberations-of these about
two hundred on account OF their Official
positions as bishops, lord lieutenauts Of
counties, &C.. and about five hundred on
account OF their birth. OF the latter class
seventy.fiye begged to be excused attend-
ancc, as they preferred taxing their chance
OF election into the lower house, aud forty
seven Of that number were actually
elected. Ia Hungary IL would be con-
sidered iniQuiious TO exclude citizen
from the assembly which has real political
Iowtrmerely because he has Inherited the
right 10 SIT In the other. The large number
Of hereditary legislators j. easily understood
when we r, member that the titles OF prince.
count, and baron have been conferred on
Hungarians for the last three centuries;
that IN some cases the title OF prince, In all
that Of count and baron. descend to MI the
Sons and sous sons Of the original grantee
OF The title. and all bearing those titles,
even foreigners. have q right 10 he sum.
mcncd 10 the upper house rs soon
a. tboy have completed their twenty
fourth year, provided that they or
their ancestors have been naturllized ~
"Hupgarian noDemen," and Own landed
property In Hungary. Thus. In the DAYS
before iSiS, when "lhe two Hungarian
countries" Hungary aud Transslyania,
had separate legislatures. any TraBsyi.
yanian count or baron who became pos
sesscd OF land In Hungary became al the
same time possessed OF tie ifght 10 SIT In
the House Of Magn1tos. just a. the title
Of maenaie descended As = rule 10 all
his sons, so wa. his landed property
divided equally among them. The
introduction Ito Hungary, u unfayora-
ably REGARDED by public opinion, aud the
privilege o. using Il Is but sparingiy &c.
corded 5y the Legislature. Hence there IL
a class known in the country rs the " titled
pro,etariat," magnates who for living
accept subordinate Offices under Govern.
ment. subject TO dismissal at the pleasure
Of a Minister, or get their daiiv bread by
other means equally irreconciliable with
the personal Independence wblch.is sup.
posed TO De the saving virtue OF hereditary
| chamber.