The Chancellor of the Empire can be represented, on his giving written information thereof, by any other member of the Council of the Confederation.
XVI. The requisite motions, in accordance with the votes of the Council of the Confederation will be brought before the Imperial Diet in the name of the Emperor, where they will be supported by members of the Council of the Confederation, or by particular commissioners nominated by the latter.
XVII. The expedition and proclamation of the laws of the Empire, and the care of their execution, belongs to the Emperor. The Orders and Decrees of the Emperor are issued in the name of the Empire and require for their validity the counter-signature of the Chancellor of the Empire, who thereby undertakes the responsibility.
XVIII. The Emperor nominates the Imperial officials, causes them to be sworn for the Empire, and, when necessary, decrees their dismissal.
The officials of any State of the Confederation, when appointed to any Imperial office, are entitled to the same rights with respect to the Empire, as they would enjoy from their official position in their own country, excepting in such cases as have otherwise been provided for by the Imperial Legislation before their entrance into the Imperial service.
XIX. Whenever members of the Confederation do not fulfil their Constitutional duties towards the Confederation, they may be constrained to do so by way of execution. Such execution must be decreed by the Council of the Confederation, and be carried out by the Emperor.
V. Imperial Diet.
XX. The Imperial Diet is elected by universal and direct election with secret votes.
Until the legal arrangement reserved in § 5 of the Election Laws of 31st May, 1869, (“Federal Law Gazette,” 1869, page 145) has been made, there are to be elected—in Bavaria, 48; in Wurtemburg, 17; in Baden, 14; Hesse, south of the Maine, 6 members, and the total number of the members consists, therefore, of 382.
XXI. Officials do not require any leave of absence on entering into the Imperial Diet.
If any member of the Imperial Diet accepts of any salaried appointment of the Empire, or of any State of the Confederation, or enters into any Imperial or State office to which a higher rank, or higher salary is attached, he loses his seat and service in the Diet, and can only regain his position in the same by re-election.
XXII. The proceedings of the Imperial Diet are public.
Accurate reports of the proceedings in the public sittings of the Imperial Diet are free from any responsibility.
