A hundred years ago
From the 'Spectator,' 24 April 1869—Herr Twesten, on April 16, brought forward a motion in the North- German Parliament in favour of replacing the Chancellor, who, as Vice-President of all the Com- mittees of the Bundesrath or Executive Council, and depositary of Prussia's seventeen votes, is virtually under the President-King sole Minister of the Con- federation, by a responsible Cabinet. Count von Bismarck resisted the motion in a most remarkable speech . . . but it was carried by a vote of 111 to 100. Before the vote was put, however, Herr Twesten made an effort to explain away some of the inevitable consequences of his measure, and since it has been taken, the Premier's journal in- forms us that, the majority being so small, no action will be taken. The Constitution being based upon treaties, it is a little difficult to see how it can be revised by a body which those treaties created, and at all events it is certain that no serious change will be made till the Prussian Premier is ready.
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