TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1915-02-05

However, as AlNk bl AluAsiat as
king over 100000 OF Germanys
67, 100000 population, he retains his
ROYAL power and prerogatives, for the
Kingdom Of Prussia IS still a power
ful monarchy, SO strong that the other
kingdoms OF the Empire could
scarcely withdraw even II they wished,
no more than could an American
state withdraw from union.
Although the comparison can al
best only be a rough one, an idea OF
the organization OF the German En-
pire may be had from supposing the
eastern part OF the United States a
kingdom, united 70 the various west
ern states, each as kingdoms with
kings and nobilities, in a union eifect-
ed by sending ambassadors 10 WASH
ington, each representing his state
with absolute powers, and then Civ
ing TO this body OF ambassadors the
authority at present given to the u.
s. Senate, the U. s. Supreme Court,
and the President, and placing an
emperor" over all with about the
power Of the Vice-President over the
Senate, but keeping the lower house
OF Congress spread all over the eoun-
try, as a check against the house Of
ambassadors, the said emperor" be-
ing, however, the king Of the eastern
part or kingdom.
In practice, however, II would work
out mere as though our governors OF
states had kings over them and went
to Washington 10 govern in place Of
the Senate, the Supreme Court, and
the President, checked only by the
lower house OF Congress and an "em-
peror" having no great power as pres
ident OF the body but with royal
power as king Of his w two-thirds
of the country.
How the German Government Works
The German government is thus
composed Of the Bundesrat Literally,
council of the union) corresponding
to a body Of governor-ambassadors
in the supposition just cited, the
Reichstag 0iterally, empire-day, or
meeting day. which corresponds to
our lower house of Congress, and the
president Of the bund, or the German
Kaiser.
The Bundesrat is the most impor-
tant, in fact, the decisive element Of
the government. II consists of So
members, II being Prussian, 6 Ba-
varian, 4 Saxon, and 4 Wurttemberg-
ers, the rest being from other king
doms and state-cities in lesser num-
bers.
The Bundesrat sits in a Legislative
sense continuously and, with the Kai-
ser, has power to dissolve or termin-
ate the Reichstag, which is composed
OF 3o7 members, at any time during
its term OF five years, in which case
a new Reichstag must be elected with
in 90 days and convened within 90
days for a new term Of five years.
The Reichstag is elected over the
Empire generally. The members are
elected by districts but are not re-
sponsibie to the Instructions of their
constituents but vote freely in the
interests of the whole people.
The members Of the Bundesrat,
however, are strictly responsible to
their particular Kingdoms and states
and vote in accordance with the views
of their particular monarchies. 1t is
as If Congress in the United States
were elected without reference to
Estate lines and the senator's were not
two for each state but roughly in
proportion to the population of the
states and always acting under in
structions.
When a law is to be passed it may
originate either in the B~undesrat or
in the lower house, and either may
amend. When they agree, it be-
comes a law without the necessity of
being approved by the Kaiser, and is
not subject to n power Of
veto on his part, such as the Presi-
dent of the United States is entitled
to exercise.
As a matter of routine he signs it,
sees that it Is technically in the prop
err form, and has it published, but he
must do this in any event, so that he
may be said, in this respect, to be
nothing more than the rubber stamp
Of the German Empire.
In other respects he has more
power. Like the President OF the
United States, he is commandment.
chief of the army and navy. He also
appoints the Imperial Chancellor.
Here comes in another of the re-
markable features of the German gov
eminent, for the Imperial Chancel-
Tor, who is the presiding officer Of
the Bundesrat OF which the Kaiser is
the president, represents German poll
icy and has under him as subordinates
all the heads of departments who cor
respond in other countries to cab
met ministers. He Is a cabinet with
It's powers unified in one member,
When the Imperial Chancellor re-
signs it indicates a break between the
Kaiser and the legislature, that is,
il he resigns from lack of a vote Of
confidence on the part Of the Bun
desrat.
To Americans the significance Of
this does not appear very great, as
the members OF the Presidents cab
met are not particularly important
politically, being generally personal
friends and advisers of the President,
In England and France, however,
where the Legislative bodies are COM
posed of a number Of political par
ties and not of two large parties as
with US, the King Of England or the
President Of France appoints a group
Of men as a cabinet, and must so make
his selections. that the group OF men
he selects will have the confidence
Of the Legislative branch. Such a
cabinet is the real seat of govern
ment. If at any time it proposes a
measure which il defeated in the leg