The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-19

eabled to this country Sunday night with the government
OF the United States and with the old German constitution
1t was Dr. Goodnows opinion at the time the Pekns lee.
lures were written that the American system was changing
and was coming more and to the German in which
the executive represented in the person of the Emperor
at that tune, the predomnatng influence IN the making
OF laws and the adoption of policies The new German
republic remains sfedera state but the powers response
bdes and duties of the president of the republic while
they will be much larger than those of the King Of Eng
land or even of the president of France will be much less
than those of the president of the United States In actual
practice the President of the United States is the only great
autocrat left in the world The Emperor of Japan NAV
have moro sway In theory. but with the recent example Of
what happened to the Emperor of Germany before him
the Jap probably will take much care as the King of
England does not to get IN the way of the extra cont-
donal system that has grown up.
The power that once was welded by the Emperor of
Germany has been divided in rather novel manner among
the various elements of the political machine The
president elected by the people direct and for seven years.
he has power to appoint chancellor who in some of his
functions conforms to vice president The president
also will name the other members of the cabinet He is
commander of the defense forces of the republic and has
many OF the other powers and responsibilities which our
system epose upon the president but he cannot issue an
order which not contersgned by the chancellor or the
imperial minister whose department is affected On ton
OF that there is an imperial council which, like the Amer
lean senate, primarily represents the states The most i'm
Portant function of this body however is characerscally
eutonic, for it provided that no imperial legislation
which the worn out term given legislation which affects
the republic whole cannot be introduced into the
Kechsag the popular branch of the legislative side of
the government without the consent of the council This
is not absolute he government introduce bills which
the Rechstag knows to be disapproved by the council
his will be the Joker of the German constitution Around
1t will be fought the fight which our strict and liberal
eonstruchonists fought In this country the liberals won
II they lose in Germany verboten will be lust as big
word ten years from it was FIVE years ago, and
the German republic will be the hoowes political sham
in the world
On the surface ii looks very much if the Germans had
tossed board the personal government Of the old
regime without adopting any of the more important features
OF the cabinet system it is understood in England and
France The Rechstag has the right TO mpeach the pre
dent chancellor and mnsters-proWded 100 members can
be persuaded to sign the impeachment papers-bu so far
as the eabled abstracts show there is neither by implication
nor by direct statement any provision which requires min
sty to retire if it gets out of tune with the Rechsag so
long as the members Of the administration can themselves
manage to hang together That may work out so that il
Will give the president power, independence and import
ance resembling that of the President of the United States
and then again in country where there are so MANY pot
ca parties and factions of political parties that will be
necessary to through combinations and coalitions
the result may more nearly resemble government in Italy
OF Spaln where ministries do not last long
But we shall sec. The only thing we NAV be sure Of
now that the Germans by electns 10 Try to work out
system OF their very which docs net seem to either
eh fowl or good red herring" when viewed in the light
OF e world experience in constitutional government have
set tor themselves task that will hold the attention of the
world almost as closely as it will hold their own.