Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1048

 926 GERMAN EMPIRE: — PRUSSIA

fourthly, a uuinber of life-peers, chosen by the king from among the rich landowners, great manufacturers, and ' national celebrities ' ; fifthly, eight titled noblemen elected in the eight older provinces of Prussia by the resident landowners of all degrees ; sixthly, the representatives of the universities, the heads of ' chapters, ' and the burgomasters of towns with above fifty thousand inhabitants ; and seventhly, an unlimited number of members nominated by the king for life, or for a more or less restricted period.

The Abgeordnetenhaus consists of 443 members — 362 for the old kingdom, 80 added in 1867 to represent the newly-annexed provinces^ and 1 in 1876 for Laueuburg. Every Prussian who has attained his twenty-fifth year, and is quali- fied to vote for the municipal elections of his place of domicile, is eligible to vote as indirect elector. Persons who are entitled to vote for municipal elections in several parishes can only exercise the right of indirect elector, or ' Urwahler, ' in one. One direct elector, or ' Wahlmann,' is elected from every complete number of 250 souls. The indirect electors are divided into three classes, according to the respective amount of direct taxes paid by each ; arranged in such manner that each category pays one-third of the whole amount of direct taxes levied on the whole. The first category consist of all electors who pay the highest taxes to the amount of one-third of the whole ; the second, of those who pay the next highest amount down to the limits of the second third ; the third of all the lowest taxed, who, together, complete the last class. Direct electors may be nominated in each division of the circle from the number of persons entitled to vote indirectly, without regard to special divisions. The representatives are chosen by the direct electors. The legislative period of the Abgeordnetenhaus is limited to five years. Every Prussian is eligible to be a member of the second Chamber who has completed his thirtieth year, who has not forfeited the enjoyment of full civic rights through a judicial sentence, and who has paid taxes during three years to the State. The Chamber must be re-elected within six months of the expiration of the legislative period, or after being dissolved. In either case former members are re-eligible. The Landtag is to be regularly convoked by the king during the month of November ; and in extra- ordinary session, as often as circumstances may require. The opening and closing of the Landtag must take place by the king in person, or by a minister appointed by him. Both Chambers are to be convoked, opened, adjourned, and prorogued simultaneously. Each Chamber has to prove the qualification of its members, and to decide thereon. Both Chambers regulate their order of business and discipline, and elect their own presidents, vice-presidents, and secretaries. Functionaries do not require leave of absence to sit in the Chamber. When a member accepts paid functions, or a higher office connected with increased salary, he vacates his seat and vote in the Chamber, and can onl}'- recover the same by a new election. No one can be a member of both Chambers. The sittings of both Chambers are public. Each Chamber, at the proposition of the president or of ten members, may proceed to secret deliberation. Neither Chamber can adopt a resolution when the legal majority of its members is not present. Each Chamber has a right to present addresses to the king. No one can deliver a petition or address to the Chambers, or to either of them, in person. Each Chamber can refer documents addressed to it to the ministers, and demand explanations relative to complaints contained therein. Each Chamber has the right to appoint commissions of investigation of facts for its own information. The members of both Chambers are held to be representatives of the whole population. They vote according to their free conviction, and arc nut bound by i)rescriptionb