The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-07-19
THE GOVERNMENT OF
GERMANY.

4AI WV GNINSl LIN L VI
GERMANY.
Germany is confederated nation
made up of rs different municipalities
somewhat similar to the United
States, but there the comparison
ends.
1t includes four kindoms, Prussia,
Bavaria, Saxony and Wurtemburg, IS
Grand Duchies and Duchies and three
"free" cities.
The king of Prussia is the heredi-
tary President-Emprorer, who under
the title of "Kaiser" rules over en-
tire Germany, and who transmits the
office and title to his next of kin in the
direct male line. The Kaiser is abso-
lutte commander-in-chief of the army
and navy, is supreme in foreign rela-
lions, practically controls the civil
patronage, is not responsible to either
parliamentary branch for any of his
actions and cannot be impeached for
any cause. Virtually the Kaiser is
the government of Germany, his will
is the law and what he says goes in
every thing from military campaigns
down to the affairs in the kitchens of
the German housewives.
Germany has two nominally parla-
mentary bodies; The Bundstrath, COM
posed of Sc members, appointed by
the German sovereigns, the Kaiser ap-
pointing II, the kings, Grand Dukes
and Dukes appointing the other
thirty-nine.
The Rheistag is called the "popu-
lar" parliamentary branch, it is COM
posed of 397 members, of which Prus-
STA supplies 236, it is elected by man.
bod suffrage, but this suffrage is so
restricted that the votes of the rich
man, on an average count for as much
as the votes of 80 poor men. The
powers of the Rheistag are practical
ly limited to refusing or endorsing
the measures prepared for it by the
Bundestrath and the latter body has
absolute veto power over all measures
or bills passed by the Rheistag.
The position of the Rheistag is that
of the young mother in the old Morse
tale.
Gazing proudly on his first born son
the husband said to his wife:
"That's a fine boy, he is yours as
we'll as mine and l am going to give
you the privilege of naming him."
"That is very kind and loving of
you," said his wife, tears of pride and
happiness filling her eyes, 81 will pick
aut beautiful and romantic name for
him."
eyes," resumed the head of the
house, "You can give him any name
you please so long as you are pleased
to call him ole
The Rheistag can pass any laws it
pleases so long as it only pleases to
pass such slaw as are hidden by the
Bundstarth.
The Imperial Ministry, correspond
ing somewhat to the Presidents cabi-
net, is the real governing power of the
empire, is appointed by the Kaiser and
neither the Bunrstrath or the
Rheistag have any voice in it's ap-
pointment or confirmation.
Germany is styled a constitutional
monarchy and it has a constitution,
just why nobody seems to know for
this constitution centers all govern
mental powers in the Kaiser and bids
him go ahead and run the whole She
bang.
This constitution can be amended
the same as any other law can be
passed but IA votes in the Bundstrath
can veto any amendment and as the
the Kaiser conquer, just as it would
and can remove them at will, any
amendment distasteful to the Kaiser,
or limiting his powers in any way is
a sheer impossibility.
In Germany the evidence of a po-
liceman is considered equal to that of
five citizens and in any dispute be-
tween a civilian and military officer
the word of the officer is always
taken.
The underlying principles of the
German government is: that the peo-
pie have no rights that the Kaiser is
bound to respect.
This is the Kaiser's war, not Ger
many's, and if he wins this principle
will cling firmly on the German peo-
pie for generations. Germany's
greatest misfortune would be to have
the Kaiser conquered, just as it would
have been the South's greatest mis-
fortune to have won in the Civil war.
Today, there is not an intelligent
Southerner living who does not rejoice
in the fact that secession lost out,
and in the years to come Germany, a
new Germany, will celebrate the day
of the Kaiser's overthrow in the same
spirit that America celebrates the
Fourth of July.
Always Absent
Everything has been found in the
pockets of highwaymen except a copy
of the New Testament.