The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-30
Progress OF the Tariff Bill In Germany

Since the reassembling OF the Reichs-
tag concessions have been made by
Chancellor Won BELOW to the Agrarians
on the one hand, and to their Socialist
and Radical opponents on the other.
These incidents, however, have attracted
but little attention, compared with the
revolution in parliamentary procedure
which on Nov. - was proposed by the
leaders of the majority.
The concessions to which we refer
would, under other circumstances, have
been regarded as important. When
Chancellor Won BELOW acquiesced in the
wishes of the Agrarian majority with
regard TO the imposition Of relatively
high minimum duties on barley, he prac-
tically renowned the principle for which
he has Contended. namely, that the i'm
position OF such duties would render it
impossible for him to negotiate CONNER
cial treaties. There is no reason in the
nature of things why what he has con-
sented to do in the case Of barley should
not be done also in the case of wheat
and other food staples The Chancellor's
announcement of his conversion TO the
policy Of paying members Of the Reichs-
tag would also at any other time have
become a topic Of general discussion.
1t will be remembered that BISMARCK
and his SUCCESSORS have firmly adhered
10 the British precedent, with the result
that poor men have either been com
PEELED to decline an election TO the Reichs-
tag, or If elected, have been forced to
absent themselves during a large part
Of every session in order to earn a lveli-
hood. This opposition to the pavment
Of members seems the m ore unreason-
able, because in Germany the system
is already practsed as regards the popu-
lar branches Of the Prussian and other
state Legislatures. Moreover, it was
found impossible to keep the tariff COM
mittee Of the Rcich,tag together through
last summers recess without passing a
special law for the payment of its men,
beers. II is crcditable to Count voN
BtLOw that he should refuse 10 colnte-
nance Inconsistency in this matter. 1t
is doubtful, however, whether a bill pro-
vIding for the payment of members will
become law before the dissolution of
the prcscn, ReiChslag.
II Is not surprising that disorder and
uproar were provoked in the Reichstag
on Nov. ~, when the leaders Of the Cen
tire, Natlonal-libcral and the two Con-
servativc parties, eXasperated by the
mtcrrninable obstruction offered bv the
Socialists and Radicals, suddenly moved
that, instead Of voting on each Of the
many hundred items separately, the
members should be- called upon to vote
upon the tariff bill as a whole. II was
pointed out by Socialist and Radical
speakers that the motion was contrary
to the rules of the House as they stand.
but President Won BALLEsrREM seems 10
have held that the House could amend
the rules at any time, for he declared
that the motion might be debated and
decided BY the members. Under that
ruling, there is no doubt that the major
ity can carry their point if they choose
and, in that event, the tariff bill as framed
by them against the wishes of the Gov
eminent, can be quickly passed.
The present majority may SEQ cause.
however, to regret the precedent that
they would thus establish II is DOS
sble, if not probable, that, at the next
general election, which must take place
at furthest in 1909. the Socialists and
Radicals may acquire the preponderancc.
In that event, the Conservative, Centre
and Nationa-Liberai parties may have
brought home TO them the danger of
putting 1t into tho power OF parla-
mcntary majority to introduce without
notice radical alterations in the rules.
1t Is almost certain that the Socialists
and Radicals will secure a majority when
public opinion compcls, as eventually