New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
A BLOW TO SAXON SOCIALISTS
DEBATE on TIE BILL WHICH WILL CLOSE
THE LANDTAG TO THEM
EVEN BISMARCK SAYS IT is TOO ARBITRARY
TRADES UNION STRIKES IN PRUSSIA
THE LATE THEODORE RUN
YoN EUIOGrZED ny THE
AMERICAN CHURCH

RerlIn Feb l5-The lower house OF the Saxon
Diet after a debate Of two days upon the measure
has referred the Electoral bill TO special commit
tee. The bill proposes to abolish the present eiec-
toral system and substitute therefor the system
which prevails in Prussia OF indirect election In
classes The first OF these classes comprise those
having incomes Of 10 900 marks year. the second
those receiving incomes OF not less than $500 marks
per annum. and the third composed Of workmen
and rate-payers Each class elects one-thlrd OF the
College Of Electors which selects tho Deputies 10
sit In the Landtag The result OF this system would
be that all OF the wOrkmen and rate-payers COM
prising tho third class would be In two-to-one
minority in the electoral college and would. OF
course have no representatives in the Landtag. In
the course OF the debate on the bill Herr Won
Metzsch Minister Of the Interior and OF Foreign
Affairs avowed that the bill was especially directed
against the Socialists The Deputies OF the latter
party made an attack upon the Government, charg-
ing them with aiming to establish system Of class
despotism and persecution which would surely lead
the tn : institutions institution OF the State.
Der OF the Saxon Diet this week advised modfica-
ton OF the Electoral bill. and expressed his strong
ure IN Classifying the Saxon electors. The ex-Chan-
celor suggested a system OF open voting
The strikes OF the various trades-unon men
throughout Prussia spreading rapidly. and It Is
now estimated that 5000 mantle-makers and fe-
male tallors are out. and all Of the carpenters and
hatmakers OF Berlin are also on strike The public
have very numerousy and generously subscribed
money for the support Of the striking seamstresses
whose long hours and wretched pay, through their
being exploited by middlemen. have excited gen.
eral compa sslon. Dr. B0lticher Imperial Secre-
tary Of State for the Interior. has made promise
In the Reichstag that the Government would make
an inquiry into the grievances OF the seamstresses
and inasmuch a great part Of their work IL done
at home. the inquiry will without doubt extend to
the possibility Of applying for legislation regulating
the work, hours. pay etc. OF the trades whose
labors are performed In home apartments
The congregation Of the American Church In Ber-
lin have held a meeting. at which resolution was
passed. signed by the Rev. DIR. Dickie pastor OF the
church. as chairman; William Griscom and Messrs
McFadden. Durham and Harsley, expressing thor
OF the late Theodore Runyon. especially In defence
OF the interests Of the United States abroad. The
resolution also expresses his compatrots recogni-
ton OF him faithful exponent OF American
character and principles. and their owledsment
of his unImpeachabe integrity In matters OF public
and personal import
The Empress Frederick has invited John b. Jask-
son. Charge dAfraires Of the United States to take
luncheon with her next Wednesday.
On Washngton's Birthday a dinner and a dance
will be given under the auspices of the United States
Emhassy At the Hotai Rsichshof The dinnls will