CHAPTER X. 



GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. 



HE Emperor-King exercises his powers in accordiince with a con- 

 stitution more than once modified since its introduction. He 

 appoints the ministers and presides over their deliberations, pro- 

 mulgates the laws, and enjoys the right of pardon. He receives 

 a civil list of £930,000, one-half being paid by each of the two 

 states, Austria and Hungary. 



The common affairs of the two states are directed by three ministers — for Foreign 

 Affairs, War, and General Finance. The Minister of Foreign Affairs presides in 

 the absence of the Emperor, and, like his colleagues, he is responsible to the delega- 

 tions nominated by the two Diets. Cis-Leithania and Trans- Leithania have each 

 their independent Cabinet, including Ministers of the Interior, of Education, of 

 Finance, of Agriculture and Commerce, of Public "Works, and of Justice. A 

 member of the Hungarian Cabinet is attached to the Emperor's household, while 

 another takes charge of the affairs of Croatia. The two Cabinets are responsible to 

 their respective Diets. The Emperor occasionally may invite the members of these 

 Cabinets to attend the deliberations of the common ministry, but only when it is 

 a question of discussing the Budget or foreign affairs. 



The legislative Diets and the electoral organization present similar complica- 

 tions, a curious mixture of feudal traditions, constitutional fictions, and compro- 

 mises. The Austrian Diet {Reichsrath) consists of a House of Lords {Hcrrenhaus) 

 and a House of Deputies (Abgcordiictciihaiis). The former includes the ]3 imperial 

 princes and 54 hereditary peers, 10 archbishops and 7 bishops, and 107 life 

 members appointed by the Emperor. The House of Deputies consists of 353 

 members elected for six years. Of these 85 are representatives of the landed 

 proprietors, 137 are elected by the towns and Chambers of Commerce, and 131 by 

 the rural districts. The franchise is enjoyed by all citizens who are of age and 

 possessed of a small property qualification. Practically the electoral laws favour 

 the return of German deputies. 



The Diet (Orszàgi/iilés) of Trans-Leithania likewise includes two Chambers, viz. 

 a Board of Magnates {Feko IIùz) and a Board of Deputies {Also Haz). The former 

 consists of 73G members, including 31 prelates, 626 noblemen, 76 governors of 



