Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-03-15
GERMAN LEGISLATURES.
Nov the German Empire and the Various
German states Are Governed.

nv 'he herman Empire and the Various
German state. Are Governed.
Since the uniiication of Germany the
political world has taken great interest
in every thing pertaining TO the gov
ernmcnt Of the German Empire, watch
ing with especial interest the measures
brought before the Legislative branch
OF the new monarchy. As the consti-
tuition of Germany is not analogous TO
that Of the United States, II has been
found difficult BY the general reader to
understand the construction and func-
tons OF the bodies called the Reich
stag, Hcrren-Haus, ETC.. and the aues-
ton Is often heard; What Is the diff
ference between the Landiag. bundles
rath and Imperial Diet" etc. [?
The Imperial Diet is the Reichstar,
and constitutes the Legislative branch
OF the German Empire, and may be
compared to our National House of
representatives II has the power to
originate. and with the consent of the
Bundesrath TO enact national laws.
The members are elected for three
years, in the ratio OF one representa-
tive for every 10000 inhabitants; but A
state having less than 100000 inhab-
itaets Is entitled to but one representa-
tive. The members receive no COM
pensation. They are elected by the
voters of each state at large. Every
Herman twenty-five years old, of active
citizenship, has the right to vote in the
state in which he was born.
The Bundcsrath IL the highest execu-
tive and administrative power In the
empire. Its principal features were
created by the Norddeuische Bund of
1867, and incorporated into the eonsti-
tution Of 1871. IL has peculiarities
which do not permit of its being
likened to our Senate or the upper
house Of any assembly; nor is il q
purely executive body. II resembles
council OF states, and is now COM
posed of fifty members, the dele
gates Of the several states which,
under the supremacy of Prus-
STA, compose the German Empire.
Prussia sends seventeen delegates,
Bavaria six, Wurtemberg four, Saxony
four, SAKE Weimar and Brunswick two
each, the other states but one each. The
Bundesrath has power To decide upon
the legislative measures to be proposed
60 the Reiehstag; on the rules and reg
ulations TO be adopted in the admins
trative and executive branches Of the
empire, in other respects it has some of
the powers of the executive.
The members Of the Bundesrath
have the privileges of the floor
In the proceedings of the I'm
perial Diet, and on pending questions
To take part in the debates. In case the
delegates of certain state are unable
To carry measure in the Bundesrati,
they may submit the question 10 the
Imperial Diet or Reichstag. The
Bundesrath and Reichstag. therefore,
form the imperial government of Ger.
many, The postal and telegraph SER
yive, the army and navy (and soon.
doubtless, the railroads) are under
their administration.
The third branch Of the imperial gov.
ment is represented by the executive
officer, the Emperor, who has the right
10 appoint q Chancellor Of the Empire,
whose duty, among others, is to receive
foreign ambassadors and officials, and
with the consent Of the Emperor TO APP
point representatives of the German
Empire Bavaria excepted to other
foreign countries. The Emperor can
only declare war for the German Em.
pire in case German Territory is in
yadesi by foreign foes.
With the affairs Of a single state the
German Government has nothing TO do.
The states are autonomous, each having
its own sovereign and constitution. A.,
for instance, Prussia is governed by
her KIM William who yyas als,,
chosen in 1871 by the German sover.
eigns. Emperor of Germany. Prussia
has her parliament, consisting of a
Chamber Of Deputies and House Of
Lords (Herren- Haus). called the Land
tag. The members of the two chambers
are the representatives of the whole
state of Prussia; not district. They
are not expected TO vote for constitu-
rncy nor To give a reason for their
votes. No member can be prosecuted
during the time the chamber is in ses-
sion. Each chamber draws up its own
rules by which it Is governed. The
il composed of the
Princes of the blood. who have reached
their majority. hereditary members
and members appointed for life. The
number is not limited; the members
must have reached the age OF thirty
years and can receive no salary or in
lemnity of any sort. The Chamber OF
Deputies consists Of 1872 members elect.
ii for three wears. The governments
If Bavaria, Nurtemburg and the otheS
German states have their separate
Landtags formed of two houses the
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