New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-04
Members Demand True Rep
rescntation as Price of
Raising Taxes.
BY Li-SUM LING.

Picking, October ~
! One of the notable features of the
| TZucheng Yuan Is the great interest taker
| in its proceedings by the princes, dukes
| and mobiles of the imperial family and the
Mongol princes, of whom Prince Kalachir
and Prince Ma are the leaders visit
to the Senate. as the Tzucheng Yuan Is
sometimes called by foreigners. would con-
vince the most doubling that China now
has a representative body. splendidly equip
ped for the business of legislation
The assembly hall is simple, but it is
we'll suited for its purposee- The presiding
officer Prince Pu Lun, sits at a desk in the
centre Of stage or platform set into the
north wall of the building. On his left Is
the desk of the vice-president- The chief
secretary of the body sits on the presiding
officers right. Back of these on a raised
dais is the chair for the Prince Regent:
over this there is a canopy Of imperial yell
low This is the only piece of decoration
in the hail. and is simplicity itself.
In front of the presidents desk, on
lower level. is a reading desk at which
members make their formal addresses.
Along both sides of the platform are two
tiers of desks for the representatives of the
government boards. These face the mem
close together, facing the platform. Two
members sit at each desk These desks
are numbered, and a member seeking
recognition from the chair calls out his
number. Each member OF the Tzucheng
Yuan wears a small silver badge suspended
on short chain. Most Of them wear this
on the right side Of their breast. The only
distinction in the seating is that the princes
and mobiles sit in the first tier OF seats be
hind them the other appointed members
and back OF these the elected members
from the provinces
SO lar there has been harmonious work
ing among the different elements compris-
Ing the body This was especially shown
IN the Unanimous passage of the resolution
indorsing the demand for the immediate,
or early, opening Of parliament with full
powers. Until this vote was taken nobody
IN Picking seemed to realize the strength of
the early opening movement Even the
similar action of the provincial assemblies
was dismissed as Of not much Importance.
But the action of the Tzucheng Yuan. and
especially the debate which preceded IL.
has shown that the people are in earnest
in their demand This debate was notable
for many things, but particularly for the
fearlessness Of the utterances of the speak
ers. Ten wears ago such utterances would
have brought down upon the speakers pun
ishrnents so severe that not only they but
their relatives would have been involved
To illustrate further the new situation.
the demand made a few days ago by the
provincial delegates for an interview with
Prince Ching, president of the Grand Coun-
Gil in order TO urge upon his highness the
necessity OF Immediately converting a par
lament must be considered very bold
one in the eyes Of the Chinese. OF course
prevailing conditions have helped. in a
large measure. In the growth of public sem
timent, which alone accounts for the bold
ness OF the people. and the prince readily
received them and discussed with them the
situation. This is a very exceptional de-
parture from the long established practice
in the ruling family not 10 receive subjects
of the empire
1t is true that ever since the accession
to the dragon throne OF the Manchu en-
perors the system adopted for the govern
ment has always been to rule in accordance
with Chinese traditions and customs. Hence
the doctrines of Confucius and other great
sages have been closely followed by them
az tho fundamental principles Of govern