The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-03-02
SAYS GOVT. DENIES PAY
Not Only Refuses Representatives a
Salary But Makes It Illegal
for a Political Party to
Pay Salaries.

''Of all countries not SUBJECT to the
common law Germany is the most i'm
portant, commercially, said Arthur
T. Albrecht, assistant district attor-
ney, in talk on "Politics and Law
of Germany before the Kenosha
Bar Association at its monthly meet
ing in the Hotel haywood this noon,
following a dinner.
Whatever our sympathies in the
present European war, we must appre-
ciate the fact that Germany has
accomplished wonders in science, in
commerce and even in war;
The speaker recalled the fact that a
century and a half ago Germany was
Enthusiastically divided among several
hundred princes who were all prac-
tically independent
"Owing to the fact he said, "that
there was law in Prussia against the
splitting in the kingdom among the
sons of the electors and more especial
ly to the sagacity, thrift and energy
of the rulers of the House of Hohen-
zollern, Prussia became the strongest
state. /" He recalled that the Napole-
onic wars reduced the number of the
German states and divided Prussia so
that at the close Of this era thirty-one
states were formed into loose con
federation with an infiecient diet.
Austria had the right to the presi-
dency of this diet and Prussia, the
vice presidency. The arrangement
weathered the storm Of revolution in
184S when all succumbed to the mas
ter mind of Won Bismarck. He had
served as a representative of Prussia
at the diet and had learned that a.
German nation was impossible so long
as the two great powers, Austria and
Prussia, were contending for mastery.
He saw the first step must be the for
chile expulsion of Austria from all
share in German politics and he be-
lieved that could not be done by argu-
ment. He decided the work of union
must be done with "blood and iron.
He persuaded Austria to join Prussia
ir wrestling the Duchies of Schleswig
and Hollensten from Denmark in 1864,
and then contrived to pick quarrel
with Austria about the disposition
made of them.
The speaker referred to the present
Bundesrath as having extensive power
and as it works secretly these powers
are even greater. He said the Bundles
rath would be seriously imperiled if
its galleries were filed with specta-
tors. The Reichstag or lower house
is elected for five years by universal
suffrage and secret ballot.
The arbitrariness of German rule
was illustrated by Mr.. Albrecht's re-
mark that members of the Reichstag
are chosen by electoral districts fixed
by imperial mandate. Each district
had originally one hundred thousand
inhabitants. But these districts have
not been revised for a score of years
In the case of Berlin the dispropor-
ton is now enormous for it has grown
to have over million and a half in
habitants and it still is allowed but
its six representatives. But the gov
eminent is not anxious for a re
distribution of seats because Berlin
elects radicals who form a trouble
some opposition.
Since Bismarck, the speaker
said, "looked upon universal suffrage
as hazardous experiment, he insisted
upon the non-payment of members of
the Reichstag. This has been bone
of contention with the liberals ever
since-the Reichstag having repeated
ly passed bills for the payment of
members which the Bundesrath has
invariably rejected.
cit is interesting to note that in,
1885 when the Socialists were paid a
salary by their own party, Bismarck
proclaimed that such a proceeding was
illegal and caused the treasury to sue
them for the sums of money which
they received in this way, and strange
to say, the Imperial Court of Appeal
sustained the suits.