GOVEENMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. 153 



comitats and other high dignitaries, 2 deputies of the Diet of Croatia, and the 

 "Count" of the Saxons of Transylvania. The Board of Deputies consists of 

 444 members, viz. 334 for Hungary, 1 for Fiume, 75 for Transylvania, and 34 

 for Croatia and Slavonia. The latter are nominated by the Diet of Croatia, itself 

 composed of hereditary and elective members. The Croat deputies may address 

 the Board in their own language, but all other members are only permitted to do 

 so in Magyar. 



The affairs common to both halves of the empire can be discussed only by the 

 " Delegations," which meet alternately at Vienna and Pest. The Delegation of 

 each Diet consists of 60 members, one-third of whom belong to the Upper House. 

 The Delegations discuss separately. In case of a disagreement they address 

 written " messages " to each other. If an agreement is not arrived at after an 

 exchange of three messages, they meet and immediately vote. Such is the curious 

 mechanism of the "dualist" empire invented by Francis Deâk for the exclusive 

 benefit of Germans and Magyars. The Slavs, Rumanians, and Italians can hardly 

 exercise any influence upon the administration of the country, and time must show 

 whether an organization which does them so little justice can last. 



The organization of the provincial Diets [Landtage) is quite as complicated as 

 that of the superior representative bodies. Cis-Leithania has seventeen of them. 

 They are composed of members " by right," such as archbishops, bishops, and 

 rectors of universities, and of elected members, representing the large proprietors, 

 towns. Chambers of Commerce, and rural districts. The governor of the province 

 presides over the deliberations of these Diets and of their executive committees 

 (Landes- Aiissc/iuss) . In Trans-Leithania there is only one of these local Diets, that 

 of Croatia. 



The provincial capitals as well as several other towns are governed by a Muni- 

 cipal Council and a bod}'^ of functionaries. In some instances a " Magistrate," 

 elected by the citizens, exists in addition. Ordinary parishes are governed by 

 a burgomaster and commissioners [Gcmeindc-Ausschms), elected for three years. 

 " District Diets," in addition to the above, exist in some of the provinces. 



In Hungary and Transylvania a distinction is made between " communes " 

 and " municipalities." The former have a representative body composed, in 

 equal proportions, of elected members and of the citizens paying the highest 

 taxes. The " magistrate " is appointed by this body. The municipalities enjoy 

 somewhat more extended privileges, but in every instance the great taxpayers 

 share the government with the elected of the people. These municipalities 

 include the comitats (counties), the "free districts," the " royal free cities," and 

 the "Laud of the Saxons" in Transylvania. Government is represented by a 

 fô-ispân {Oher Gcspann in German), appointed for life, who presides over the 

 meetings. The " University of the Saxon Nation " is composed of forty-four 

 representatives of German towns and districts, presided over by a " Count." In 

 Croatia and Slavonia each comitat has its bkiiphfina, partly elected, and each 

 town or village its " municipal delegation." 



Bosnia and Herzegovina, though not yet forming officially an integral por- 



