[p. 515]
|515| came forward because it is not only remarkable in itself but also characteristic of the whole sequel. With regard to the formality of the course with which the assembly conducted its business, two circumstances still deserve to be pointed out. – The course of its proceedings within itself was in general this, that for a matter arising a committee was to be appointed by it, a report to be made by the latter, then debate to be held and thereupon the resolution to be passed. – In the election of the committee it was most frequently, especially at the beginning, when it mattered most to take possession and to overawe, throughout the vice-president who proposed the members by name. This officer, chosen by the assembly, proposed for the first committees, after only two members had as yet shown themselves publicly in the assembly, at once the members who distinguished themselves permanently as the heads of the Old Württemberg party. It followed from this that the word came completely into their hands, all the more if one sees the otherwise prevailing delicacy of the members of the assembly of estates towards one another. This went so far that in one case, where the assembly had resolved to appoint a committee of twelve members, and eleven had received the majority, but for the twelfth place four members had equal votes, it did not now elect one of these four in addition, whereby three of them would have been excluded, but rather, contrary to its resolution, appointed all fifteen to its committee of twelve members. – Right with the second committee to be appointed a striking contrivedness then occurs, in order to bring it about that the four heads appointed to the first should also not fail to become members of the second. It is very essential to the freedom of an assembly, given the great influence of a committee in general, that the same individuals should not fill all the committees, if every matter arising has to be prepared
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