Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-21
THE GERMAN UNION.
MANY INTERESTING FACTS NOT GEN.
ERALLY KNOWN.
The Powers of the German Union-No
Unlimited Imperial Prerogatives
of an Absolute Nature.

vi NONSuucH ~ 4COO, TIE IIuSSidu
Government extended to the Governments
of the twenty-five allied States invitations
| for conference, which should be held at
Berlin, and should sit in council over
| new Constitution of the North-German
Confederation. Bismarck opened the ses-
sions on December Is, 1866, by introduc-
ing draft of constitution, and by en-
phasizing in his preliminary address what
seemed to him most essential for render.
ing this union strong. ''The German
Union," he said, "hitherto did not accom-
plish the purpose for which it was formed
in two respects; it did not secure for its
members the promised safety; and it did
not free the development of Germany's
public veal from the letters which the
historic formation of the inner boundaries
had imposed. If the new Constitution is
to avoid these defects and the dangers con-
nected with them, it is necessary to knit
the allied States more firmly together by
establishing a uniform central manage
ment of military affairs and of interna-
tional politics, and by creating common
organs of legislation in matters OF common
national interest"
On February 7, 1867, the conference,
after discussing the original draft and of
fering several amendments, had agreed
upon all the articles, and resolved that the
Constitution should, in the first confederate
diet elected by universal direct suffrage,
be submitted to the representatives of the
people for approval. The elections took
place on February 18th, and on the Oath
of the same month King William opened
the first session of Parliament by master
ly speech from the throne A new party,
which called itself National Liberal,
formed the majority in this new legislative
body. 1t consisted of patriotic men from
all the states who had left the Progressive
Liberal party of former days and sided
with Bismarck On March 4th Bismarck
laid the new Constitution before the
Reichstag, which entered upon debates
before its final adoption of the document.
He strongly advocated quick action, and
declared that sit had not been intended 10
set up a theoretic ideal of constitution, but
to avoid the mistakes of former times, and
to find a minimum of those concessions
|
of the universal commonwealth, in case
the latter is to gain vitality" "Let us
put Germany into the saddle" he re-
marked. II dare say it can ride" After
forty-one amendments had been agreed
upon, the Constitution was adopted by the
Reichstag on April 16, 1867, and the
amendments having met with the approval
of the allied Governments. the document
was officially promulgated on June 25th,
and became law on July l, 1867. 1t has
remained the basis on which the first
North-German Confederation, and after
ward the German Empire, became estab-
lished, for the Constitution of the Ger
man Realm" which was, after similar
legal procedure, promulgated on April l6,
1871, when the southern States had Joined
the northern confederation, differs very
slightly from the original instrument.
The Constitution vests the power of
legislation in two assemblies-the Bundles
rah Federal CounciD, analogous to the
American Senate, and the Reichstag Diet,
analogous to the American House of Rep
resentatives. The Federal Council con-
sists of delegates from each State, appoint
ed by their respective Governments. The
Diet is elected by universal direct suffer-
age. The Presidency (prosidiuna) of the
union is vested in the King of Prussia,
who since 1871 bears in that capacity the
title Of German Emperor. He represents
the union in its international relations; he
declares war in the name of the union,
but since 1871 the concurrence of the
Federal Council is required for this pur-
pose, except in case of invasion; he con-
cludes peace, and enters into alliances and
treaties with foreign States, but since 1871
treaties must be ratified by both Houses if
they deal with matters which belong to
the sphere of confederate legislation, and
he sends and receives ambassadors. He is
also chief commander of the army and
navy. The Chancellor, who is appointed
by the Presidency, is the Chairman and
Moderator of the Federal Council. Legis-
lation rests entirely with the Federal
Council and the Diet, both Houses having
the privilege of originating bills. Com
currence of simple majority in both
Houses is required and sufficient for the
establishment of any law, the President of
the union having no veto power. Prussia
having only seventeen votes out of a
plenum of fifty-eight in the Federal Coun-
Gil, it is evident that the influence which
|
very limited.
| The principal spheres subject to confed-
crate legislation are: l. Regulations re-
garding Domicile, Citizenship, Passports,
Surveillance of Foreign Residents, and
Practices of Trade, including Insurance !;
2. Import Duties, Commerce and Federal
Taxation; s. Measures, Coins and Weights,
also Issue of Paper Money; 4. Banking
Affairs; 5. Patents 6. Protection of Copy
right; Z. Protection of German Commerce
abroad, of the German Merchant Marine,
and of the German flag, also Organization
of Consular Representation; s. Railways
and Highways; 9. Shipping on Rivers and
Canals common to several States, and Reg
ulation of Water Tolls; 10. Posts and Tel
egraphs II. Interstate Execution of Sem
fences in Civil Suits; II. Certi6cation of
Public Documents; 49, Civil and Criminal
/ Law and Judicil Procedure (since 1873 by
concurrence of both houses and special de-
cree); IA. Military and Naval affairs; Is.
Measures of Medical and Veterinary Sur
| VIGILANCE; 16 Regulations concerning the
Press and Public Meetings. In all these
| subjects the Federal law takes precedence
over the State law. The budget becomes
established by law for one years duration,
but common expenses may in special cases
be granted for more than one year. Every
member of the Federal Council has, as
representative of State, the right of APP
pearing and speaking in the Diet The
Federal Diet really yields the greatest
power, and to the honor of the union it
must be said that the Federal delegates
have always been most competent men,
well yersed in jurisprudence and political
economy.
| The President of the Union, though he
opens, summons and prorogues both
Houses every year, is only The agent of the
Upper House. He cannot even dissolve
the Diet without the concurrence of the
Federal Council. He promulgates the
| laws and supervlses their execution. All