Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

ministry formed by
Makeshift Signor Luzzati, composed
nr;.: as follows: Premier and
AnAs'1y. minister OF interior,
Luigi Luzzati; justice. Signor FAM; for
eign affairs. Marquis A. di San Giuliano;
treasury, Francesca Tedesco; finance,
Signor Facta; war, Gen. Spingardi; ma
rine, Admiral Leonardo; public instruc-
ton, Signor Credardo: public works,
Signor Sacchi; agriculture. Signor
Ranieri: posts and telegraph. Signor
Ctnfrelli
The Luxzati ministry, formed as one OF
transition or makeshift, no other being
possible at this time, is endeavoring to
change this situation. Sgnor LuzDati, II
should be recalled, was minister Of agri-
culture In the retiring ministry and the
Marquis San Guiliano was minister of
war.
Signor Luzzati is reported in a recent
dispatch as a very energetic reformer.
He proposes to commence with the SEN
ate, which Is royalst, because appointed
by the king He would have one-third Of
the members elected by the people, and
extend the franchise to those unable to
read or write reform which will appear
to many in this country of doubtful util-
ity. Signor Luzzati would introduce re-
forms In the agricultural districts. re-
form land holdings and aid the agricul-
tural classes, establish wOrkmen's COM
pulsory insurance. cooperative banks and
even hospitals. which are to be maintain
ed by the contributions of lauorers. ne
proposes to introduce an act for the COM
pulsory education of the populations of
Calabria and Sicily.
Inc new premier is evidently thor
oughly alive to the wants of the new
Italy, which he proposes to govern with
new methods
The Sonnino ministry was formed De-
cember 10, 1909. and succeeded that of
SignOr Gioltti, which fell
Coalition because of the failure of
r.;1.a the bill which proposed
reduction of indirect
taxation on necessities and its replace
ment by progressive income tax. SignOr
Sonnino at that time endeavored to form
an alliance with the left, but the leaders
of that party made it a condition that
the primary schools should pass under
the commercial system non-religious);
and that all marriages should be con-
tracted first civilly and then by religious
rites. Signor Sonnino refused these con-
ditiOns and in face Of the opposition of
the extreme left, socialists and radicals,
he could do nothing. Now Baron Sidney
Sonnino retires because of his failure to
realize the decay of the mercantile navy
of Italy.
Baron Sonninos program, which was
announced February IL, provides that a
$6O00.OO subsidy should be applied in
aid Of Italian shipping. The government
also proposed to vote a subsidy for a term
of twenty-five years for the transporta-
ton Of mails to the italian Lloyd Steam
be unpopular and was strongly opposed
in the chamber, where there were scenes
Of violence.
The Sonnino cabinet was visibly weak
and tottering, but it was not expected
that it would fall so soon. The visit of the
German chancellor. DR.. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg offered Signor Sonnino the oc-
casion to get out of service and leave the
government indeed where the majority of
Italians would see it-namely, without a
ministerial head and consequently with
out authority to reply to certain en-
barrassing interrogatories as to Italy's
relations to the triplice.
The pretext for the retirement Of Sig
that his nominations Of new senators
were irregular.
The Italian senate, it must be under
stood, is not elected. but directly appoint
ed by King Victor En-
Italian manuel Unconstitutional
cA sovereign who appoints
oon"o' those recommended by
the minister. Senator's may be chosen
from several classes OF citizens. From
princes OF the royal family past twenty
one years Of age, ministers attached to
the royal household, presidents or former
presidents Of the chamber. ministers, min
listers plenipotentiary, bishops, generals,
admirals, projects, high magistrates,
councillors Of state, forum deputies who
have served six years consecutively in the
chamber. citizens contributing at least
1900 francs taxes and finally from a
class more interesting than all these:
Those who by their eminent services
have done honor to the country.
No deputy can be elected to parliament
unless he has obtained a number of votes
greater than the one-sixth Of the total
number Of inscribed voters and a ma
jority Of more than the one-half of these.
Government salaried officials cannot be
elected. nor those ordained for the priest
hood or filling clerical charges or receiv-
ing pay from the state. Officers Of the
army and navy and other classes of
functionaries high in ONCE may be elect
ed, but their number must never be more
THAI forty, not including the ministers
and under secretaries Of state. Neither
other indemnity. except that they are
permitted to travel free throughout Italy
by rail or on steamers Of such lines as
have contracted with the government
with a stipulation to that effect.
The term Of parliament is five years, but
the king has the power to dissolve the
lower house at any time. being held only
to order new elections and convOke a. new
ministry within four months 1t is in
cumbent upon the executive to convoke
parliament annually. Each of the cham
bers has the right of introducing new
bills the same as government. but all bills
of finance must originate in the house of
deputies. The ministers have the right to
attend the sessions of both the upper and
the lower house, but they have no votes
unless they should be members.
Signor Sonnno as president Of the coun-
ell Of ministers was accused Of abusing
his privilege in his ap-
Patronage pointments to the senate. |
o. 1t would doubtless have
OnafSes. been in order, according
to the Judgment Of his Accusers, il he had
appointed socialists or radicals, but Signor
Sonnino for reasons of his own recon-
mended conservatives. Above all, unpar-
donable crime. his recommendations were
Sonninian conservatives! His adversaries
declared that he had shamefully neg
lected national celebrities who had been
suggested to him, but Signor Sonnino, who |
had probably been impressed by the ad- |