Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-24
PANDEMONIUM RElGNED When the Reiohstag by a Scant r Majority Refused To
CONGRATULATE BISMARCK
On His 8Oth Birthday-Presi- dent and ViCs-PreSident
 ReSign-CommentS.

BERLIN, March 23.-The reichstag this afternoon, by a vote of 163 10 145, rejected the proposal of Herr Von Levstzow, presi- dent of that body, that the reichstag charge him with the duty of offering the congratulations of the chamber to Prince Bismarck upon the occasion of the ex- chancellor's S0th birthday. When the re- suit of the vote was announced President Von Levetzow immediately resigned.
 h the course Of the debate on President Won Leve.zow's proposal Baron Won Hompesch, centrist, said that the matter of congratulation concerned Prince Bis marck's political personality and was a political act. Prince Bismarck, he said, {, was still continuous in his endeavors to influence political matters. The center could not consent to the reichstag's ofh- cially cougratulatiug him.
 Dr. Von Bennigsen. national liberal, warmly approved the proposal of President Won Leye zow. Herr Richter, radical, said that he recognized Prince Bismarck s national merits, but ths progressists would fight his tendencies towards Influencing the interior policy. They see in him an enemy of liberalism who influences state affairs; therefore it would be impossible for them 10 consent to the proposal.
 Herr Singer, socialist, said that Prince
 
 the German nation, and especially the Ger. man laborers. He had always persecuted his adversaries to the utmost extent, and he cannot now claim their thanks or recog- nition.
 Herr Won Kardoff, free conservative, said if the reichstag refused to adopt this proposal it will make itself ridiculous be- fore the whole world forever.
 Herr Rickert, radical unionist, declared that the Freislnnige party would almost unanimously support Herr Won Levetzow's proposal.
 Baron von Holden berg, independent, said: .sThe Guelphs cannot congratulate Prince Bismarck, who made the kingdom of Hanover Prnssian province.
 Baron Won Knyphausen, conservative, decaared that there was large majority in Hanover who would not understand the re- fusai of the reicbstag to congratulate the ex chancellor.
 Prince Radzewill, Pole, said the Poles would regard the proposed congratulation as eminsntly political demonstration: : the old Polish rights, and therefore the Poles would not support the resolution.
 Herr Sonnenberg, anti Semitic, said the anti -Semites would fulhll their duty of 2. attitude to Prince,Bismarck aud join in the r-oposed congratulations. s-. Bismarck was present, and answered to the call of his name with loud 'syes.' The proposal was rejected by vote of 168 to
 After announcing the figures, President Levstzow informed the chamber that he would resign. The announcement of the presidents resignation was received with great applause by the conservatives and ,Dational liberals.
 Dr. Won Bennigsen then annou need that Vice President Dr. Buerklin would also re- sign. A tremendous tumult prevailed for a quarter of an hour, when, President Von Levetzow having lett the chair, his place was assumed by Vice. President Baron Von Buo Berenberg.
 $ Herr Won Levetzow's proposal to send the reichstag's congratulations to Bis marck seemed to arouse all the bitterness that the old chancellor so often aroused among the deputies. Its rejection. was generally expected, yet the announcement of the vote agitated tbe house. Members sprang from their seats and shouted defi- ance and derision at one another across the aisles. The social democrats and Richter 'radicals jeered, while the conservatives and national liberals cried, "Shame," ''In. gratitude,' and "Enemies of the empire"
 President Won Levetzow rappod for order repeatedly. When comparative quiet had been restored he spoke of the vote, appa- rently with strong effort to control his Indignation. When 1t was intimated that he would no longer serve as president the disorder was renewed. Half the members WeTt shouting tbravo" and the Richter radi- calls and German democrats answering with derisive calls, handclapping and stamping. The appearance of Rudolf Won Bennig. sen, the veteran leader of the national liberals, calmed the storm for a moment. He is the one member of the cabinet rank left in the reichstag, and close friend of the old chancellor in and out of office. His face was white and his voice trembled with anger as, with single quick gesture, he announced that Dr. Buerklin, his party representative in the vice. presidency, de- ciined to serve longer.
 The curtness of Bennigsen's statement seemed to affect Eugene Richter as c per- 'sonaI insult. Pointing to Bennigsen, he called so loudly as to be heard above the in- creasing disorder, "Let him go, then. The reichstag can do without either of them.o o The Grand Duke of Baden and Herr Won Lucanus, chief of the emperor's civil cabi- net, were in the imperial box during this scene. The strangers' gallery was filled with officers and conspicuous civilians. The visitors rose from their seats, waved tliefr handkerchiefs to the conservatives on the right and shouted 'sshame' at the social democrats and radicals On the left. They cheered Herr Won Levetzow as he left the chair and was surrounded by copserva- tives and national leadeys, eager to con- gratulate him over his refusal to prestde longer.
 The house was not as full as expected last evening when Herr Richter was nov ing heaven and earth to rally Poles, Cath oIics, socialists and radicals to vote down all proposals to honor his old antagonist. he could bring together au adverse vote of 01Qs He haaad hfa aakiraat ia m th0 DrOm.