The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-07-17

Copyright; 7. Protection of German
Commerce abroad, of the German
Merchant Marine, and of the Ger
man Flag, also Organization of Con-
sular Representation; 8. Railways
and Highways; 9. Shipping on Riv-
ers and Canals common to several
states, and Regulation of Water
Tolls; 10. Posts and Telegraphs;
II. Interstate Execution of Senten-
ces in Civil Suits; II. Certi6cation
of Public Documents: IS. IS. Civ
il and Criminal Law and Judicial
Procedure (since 1873 by concur
renee Of both Houses and special de-
cree); IA. Military and Naval af-
fairs; IS. Measures of Medical and
Veterinary Surveillance; 16. Regu
lations concerning the Press and
Public Meetings. In all these sub
iects the federal law takes prece-
dence over the state low. The bud
get becomes established by law for
one years duration, but common ex-
penses may in special cases be grant
ed for more than one year. Every
member of the Federal Council has,
as a representative of his state, the
right of appearing and speaking in
the Diet. The Federal Council
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,
we'll versed in jurisprudence and po-
litical economy. The President Of
the union, though he opens, sum-
mons, and prorogues both Houses
every year. is only the agent of the
Upper House. He cannot even dis
solve the Diet without the concur.
renee of the Federal Council. He
promulgates the laws and supervises
their execution. All his DEGREES re-
garding legislation are given in the
name Of the union, and are counter
signed by the Chancellor, who there
by becomes responsible. Through
out the constitution the name of
KatSsereich, equivalent to the Eng
lish empire" does not appear, but
the union is called "Reich," which
signifies simply "realm," or "com-
monwealth," if you will. The Presi-
dent is also never called "Kaiser Won
Deutschland" or emperor of Ger
many"-a misleading term of abso-
lutism-but he is styled "Deutscher
Kaiser" or German Emperor, mere
title, which does not belong to the
Hohenzolerns as family, but is an
attribute of every Prussian King
who, in this capacity, becomes ibs0
fact0 President of the German union,
position which brings its possessor
no imperial crown, no imperial
throne as of old, no imperial reven-
ues-such perquisites he receives on
ly as King of P'ussia-and no un-
limited imperial prerogatives of an
absolute nature.
Thus Bismarck made in this con-
stitution, which has been strictly OBJ
served for more than twenty years,
important concessions to the people.
Whether it was the pressure of cir
cumstanCes or his personal convic-
tons which induced him to do so
does not belong to the sphere of his
tory, which deals with facts, not with
motives. At all events, he said in
1867 that he intended now, when TIE
proper time had arrived, to grant
such opportunities for development
in the direction of liberal form of
government as were consistent with
the welfare of the commonwealth.
In the first place, we notice the alb
sence Of any House of Lords. Sec
ondly, we see that the chief power
does not rest with one ruler, but is
vested in body of men appointed
by the allied state governments
And thirdly, we perceive that legis-
lation, even in regard to the budget
and to taxation, is no longer posi-
BILE without the will of the people,
who, in this sphere, can only be in
fuenced by moral persuasion-From
"Furst Bismarck" by George Moritz
Vail, in Harper's Magazine for
June.
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