The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-30
The IIan.c Towns

The H,rdifs correspondent states that
the admission Of Hamburg into the Ser
man Customs union must certainly result
In restriction Of some liberties OF the old
Hanse town, but II leaves unaltercd its
republican constitution, which remains rs
intact as that OF Lubbock and Bremen.
These three cities will continue, as far A.
their local interests are concerned, To be
actual republics, though forming part Of
the German empire. They owe allegiance
10 no prince or king. except TO the imperial
ruler OF the realm himself, aud In this lat
ter respect they are on q perfectly equal
footing with, aud are not more dependent
than, the great kingdoms oi Saxony, Ba-
varia and Wurtemberg, for instance. OF
course all German States are subject 10
imperial legislation, rs far ~ concerns the
army, navy general commerce, railways,
post aud iolegraphs, navigation, etc. But
they are otherwise, aud o. regards domestic
legislation, quito ~ independent rs
many OF the States Of the American Union
are with regard 30 the Administration In
Washington. Each Of the German States
is represented In the Rcichsiag and tho
Federal Council. aud IN the latter Ham
burg. Lubbock and Bremen, like most Of
the smaller States, have one vote each.
The constitutions OF the three remaining
Ilansc towns differ In detail, but In spirit
they are similar, aud have a thoroughly
democratic basis. That oi Hamburg
which, though Il has gone through many
notifications In the course Of centuries,
presents even Ia lis latest form, which
dates from October -, 1879. fair spcci.
mon Of the rights possessed 10y q free city.
The legislative powers are exercised by
two bodies namely, by a senate and by y
Citizens Council. Tho senate consists ~
eighteen members, nino Of whom must
have graduated rs students Of law or
finance. and Of the other nine seven Ut least
must belong 20 the merchant class. The
Citizens Council tBufgcnchait) con-
sisls Of leo members, eighty Of
which ere elected directly by secret ballot
during the general elections, IA which all
citizens can take part, while of the other
eighty forty are elected by hOuschodcn
only, and the forty remaining by such cit
liens as are Or have been judges, members
oi the b1arl of guardians, ol the admins.
traiiyc bodies or Of the chambers Of COM
mcroc and industry. The members 0f the
HNI fHlNi llNlA iAiNlNi itN Ai'NH ANt AiNii hHl 70
vices. while the senators receive m annual
allowance Fixed by law. Tho latter are
elected Tor life. After six years oi service
senator may tender hs resignation. In
that caps be- will receive no pension II lac
rtircs after ten years OF service aud Is over
sixty ygafs old be will receive onc.hali Of
bis annual allowance, aud u lac las reached
tho o., Of seventy be will receive two.
thirls oi what was granted 10 him while
senator The Senate elects from among its
mcmicr The iirst aud second burgumasters,
who are the presiding officers Of the cpub.
DC. and In the hands Of thc Senate also Is
the executive power, the highest admlniB.
tratiye power, the control Of the judicial
powcm ald the right Of pardon. The ad.
ministratiyc powers are IA the hands Of
bodies c0nsiring mostly Il delegates from
the senate assisted by citizens, who are
elected for life 30 their government posi-.
tons aud who must accept The Office prof..
cred TO them NJ the risk Of losing their
citizenship. The presidents Of these bodies
or departments arr also elected 10y the sen.
ate from among It's members. Without
going further into details II would ~, m