The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-26
The An.i-Monarchical Movement.


The success of the socialists in the recent
elections in Germany suggests the inquiry,
What does their success meanl Maj. VIII
helm Kaufman Of Cleveland, O., editor Of
the Anzeiqer Of that city, who has been a
lifelong student of German politics, says
that it does not mean the overthrow of the
German monarchy the division of property,
or anything Of that kind, but it does mean
more liberal government and better
condition Of things for the common people.
At the present time in Germany the life
business of a workingman is to pay taxes.
serve as a soldier in the army and keep his
mouth shut. In other words. he is
not regarded as much better
than beast Of burden. If
the socialistic movement continues to grow
more power will be lodgeI with the com
mon people, the rights Of the emperor will
be lessened, and the government will grad
ually take q more parliamentary form.
The socialists have increased in strength
by the agitation Of various questions IN
which the common people are deeply inter
ested. For instance, the army is a very
heavy bu-den. and, besides, the continual
rumors of wars keep the people uneasy.
They know that if there should be war
with France it would be far more bloody
than the last one with that country,
because of the great Improvement in death
dealing weapons. They don't want war,
and don't think the occasion demanding
one is likely to arise. In the recent cleo
lions, therefore. they said to their friends
and neignbors that if they would vote the
socialist ticket the socialists would soon be-
come strong enough to prevent wars. This
was potent argument with those who
have to ELL the ranks of the army in the
event Of war.
There is no doubt that the harsh measures
against socialists which Bismarck has OBJ
tanned from the Reichstag have helped to
strengthen the socialistic movement. In
1876 the anti-socialistic law was first en-
acted. 1t enabled the police
to suppress newspapers, seize books
and pamphlets, aud to expel from their
homes those engaged in disseminating
opinions not approved by the government.
A great many harsh things have been done
under that law-things that the common
people have felt like resenting. Many Of
them have resented them by voting with
the socialists.
1t is probable that the anti-socialistic law
will not be again passed. 1t was enacted
for two years when it was first approved by
the Reichstag, and, through Bismarck's
efforts, was re-enacted several times. 1t
expired last fall, and Bismarck demanded
that it should be made perpetual. He was
not able to get a majority for this de-
mand, aud it was not re-enacted.
The government party offered to make it
perpetual provided Bismarck would agree
to leave the expulsion provision out of it.
He would not agree to that, and the Reich
stag now being chosen Will have to deal
with the matter. The Reichstag, as is
pretty well understood, has not tue power
to originate bills. 1t is the privilege of
only the Bundesrath, which is composed of
representatives. of the different municipali-
ties of the empire, to do that.
The INDICATIONS now are that the social
lists will have quite large number of mem
bers in the Relchstag, number sufficiently
laFge to entitle them to representation on
all the committees. If they can prevent
the re-enactment of the anti-socialistic law
they will make converts much more rapidly
thar they have heretofore, because they
viii be able to work openly.