SECTION II. THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. Articles 119-122. [Regulations regarding marriage and education.] Articles 123 and 124. [All Germans have, subject to Federal law, the right to meet for discussion and to form unions and societies.] Article 125. [Elections are to be free and secret.] Article 126. [Every German may make petitions regarding grievances.] Article 127. [Communities have, within the limits of the law, the right of self-government.] Articles 128-133. [Any citizen, male or female, may be eligible for public office, and in such office has certain rights and duties. If in the execution of one duty, the official neglects another, the State is liable. It is every German's duty to undertake honorary posts and to do personal service for the State.] Article 134. [All citizens must contribute to taxation in proportion to their means.] SECTION III. RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS BODIES. Articles 135-141. [There is to be complete toleration, and no one is to suffer political or civil disabilities on account of his religion. There is no State Church, but each religious body regulates its own affairs as a corporation quite independently. These bodies are to have the right of entry for religious purposes to all public institutions.] SECTION IV. EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS. Articles 142-150. [The Federal Government, the States and all. communities shall co-operate in the organization of education, which shall be free and compulsory for all. Certain limitations are imposed on private schools. All schools are to aim at a national system of education, and religious instruction is to be a regular subject. Monuments of art, etc., are under the care of the State.] SECTION V. ECONOMIC LIFE. Articles 151-156. [Conditions worthy of a human being are to be the basis of economic organization. In economic intercourse there is freedom of contract. Property is guaranteed but may be expropriated for the general welfare, and to this end the distribution and use of land is superintended by the State, while the right of inheritance is guaranteed. The Federation may convert private concerns, etc., into public property or combine them on the basis of self-government.] Article 157. Labour is under the special protection of the Federation. The Federal Government will draw up one uniform labour code. Article 158. Intellectual work, the rights of originators, inventors and artists are under the protection and care of the Federation. By means of international agreements, acknowledgment and protection must be ensured abroad for the creation of German science, art, and technical skill. Articles 159-165. [There is to be freedom of association for all and time for the exercise of political rights. The Federal Government will draw up a scheme of Insurance and intervene to obtain an international regulation of the legal and social conditions of the workers. Every German should make the best use of his abilities, but should be provided for in case of unemployment. The middle class shall be assisted by legislation and protected from over taxation. Workmen should co-operate with their employers in the regulation of labour conditions. There are Trades Workmen's Councils for their protection, and also a Federal Council to which social and economic measures must be submitted by the Federal Government. The latter regulates the spheres of action of these Councils.] PROVISIONAL AND CONCLUDING ARRANGEMENTS. Articles 166-174. [Various temporary arrangements are made for the period before certain Articles of the Constitution take effect.] Article 172. Up to the date at which the Federal law as to the Supreme Court of Judicature comes into force, its authority shall be vested in a Senate of seven members, four of whom are elected by the Reichstag, and three by the High Court of Justice from its own numbers. The regulation of proceedings is left to the Senate itself. Articles 175-177. [War decorations not to come within meaning of Article 109. All public officials and members of the forces must take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution.] Article 178. The Constitution of the German Empire of 16th April, 1871, and the law of 10th February, 1919, as to provisional Imperial authority, are repealed. The remaining laws and decrees of the Empire remain in force, as far as they are not in opposition to the present Constitution. The provisions of the Treaty of Peace signed at Versailles on 28th June, 1919, are unaffected by the Constitution. Regulations of authorities, issued in a legal manner upon the basis of existing laws, remain valid until they are annulled in the course of the issue of further regulations, or in the course of legislation. Article 179. Where, in laws or decrees, reference is made to regulations of arrangements annulled by this Constitution, they are replaced by the corresponding regulations or arrangements of this Constitution. In particular, the National Assembly is replaced by the Reichstag, the Committee of the States by the Reichsrat, and the President of the Federation, who was elected on the basis of the law as to provisional Federal authority, is replaced by the President of the Federation elected upon the basis of this Constitution. The powers for the issue of decrees held by the Committee of the States in accordance with hitherto existing regulations are transferred to the Federal Government; the consent of the Reichsrat is requisite for the issue of decrees, in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. Article 180. Until the meeting of the first Reichstag, the National Assembly will have the status of the Reichstag. Until the first Federal President enters upon his office, his work is carried on by the President of the Federation elected under the law as to provisional Federal authority. Article 181. The German people, through their National Assembly, have carried and decreed this Constitution. It comes into force upon the day of its publication. INDEX. The following abbreviations are employed to indicate the document in which ABORIGINES (see Native Affairs). etc.), (NE) 51, (US) 92, (CS) 162, 425. American Republics, Latin, 34. Argentine Confederation, 34. 101, 105, (GE) 243, 256-59, (S 1874) 272-74, (A) 343, (SA) Army, Expenses of, (N) 45, (NE) 52, lishing Federal Council (1885), Act (1900), 324-58; Differences 1 |