Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

duct. Chancellor Won Buelow was within an
inch of securing an agreement of the right
wing factions, with the centrists and ma
tional liberals. for the enactment of a mod
crate tariff bill. in accordance with the
wishes of the government. The night be-
fore the social democrats broke loose in the
reichStag there was congratulation din
ner'' at the palace of the chancellor. The
following day one of their trusted men,
bers, Herr Kardorff, was to Introduce an
amendment to the parliamentary rules. per-
mitting the passage of the tariff bills In sec
ond reading without the necessity OF divi-
sion on all its numerous clauses. A clever
trap was set for the social democratic oppo-
sition.
The Storm in the Reichstag.
But Messrs. Bebel. Singer ct al. had re-
ceived tidings Of the coup. They were
ready for the crucial test when Count
Balestrem quietly took his seat In the pre-
siding officers chair and rang the bell call
ing the session to order. Kardorff awaited
his opportunity and while the social demo-
Gratis were apparently doing in their seats
and attention absorbed In some technical
discussion of the proposed duty on rye, he
presented the amendment.
In an instant pandemonium reigned Quick
as a flash Bebel was on his feet, his shrill
voice ringing clear above the chorus of pro-
tests and groans from the democratic side
of the house. Singers baritone made the
duo and chorus complete. The conservatives
cording to q recent parliamentary amenl-
ment requiring vote to be cast In recept.t-
cles taken around by attaches OF the reich
stag The social democrats, followed by
the freisinnige members. rose en- masse,
until Count Ballestrem was obliged to put
on his hat and adjourn the session. The
same scene was repeated the following day.
The third day the social democrats and
their allies quietly left the chamber and
thus prompted the call Of quorum" show
ing that the reichstag had no quorum and
therefore necessitated adjournment under
the rules.
Bismarck Rule" to Be Resumed.
The social democrats demonstrated MI
nority rule, but at the same time revealed
to the government and conservatives
Ioophole in the parliamentary proceedings
which Chancellor Won Buelow and his aids
promptly set to work to take advantage or
The reichstag Is one Of the most liberal and
elastic parliamentary chambers In exis-
tence. The rules permit OF greater oppor-
tunity for obstruction than in the Enlish
parliament or the Washington House Of
Representatives.
These weaknesses in the parliamentary
system are now to be corrected. Bis
marck rule Is once more to be tried. But
the parties Of the right look about In vain
for the man strong enough to apply 1t.
Chancellor Won Bueiow proved himself
wholly incapable. The ministerial bench in
strong timber. It's standard has declined
materially since the days Of Bismarck and
his contemporaries Count Won Buelow,
the chancellor: Count Posadowsky, Minister
Moller, Count Kanitz and other notable
government and agrarian leaders were con-
spiciuous by their absence. and none could
be considered as candidates for the job
The most successful and brilliant parila-
mentary strategists and politicians Of the
reichstag today are Bebel. Singer, Richter,
Dr. Barth, Bassermann and others belong
ing to the left parties. The party whip Is
not cracked in vain In the social democratic
camp.
The same compliments cannot be be-
slowed upon the reichspartei. the conserva-
tives or other right wing parties.
The Catholic party, under the leadership
of the clerical DR.. SPAIN, was usually able
to determine Issues by casting the strong
centrist vote toward the right wing. But
In the tariff fight clerical interests are not
SO much at stake and the deciding party
finds itself hopelessly split. While the
ultra-protectionist factions are unable to
maintain solid ranks the social democrats
and freisinnige as Wsa a. the volkspartei