s were opposed; and the landed proprietors,
long accustomed to dominate within the preponderant German element in
the Reichsrath, were violently hostile. In April, 1906, while the bill
was pending, the Gautsch ministry found itself without a parliamentary
majority and was succeeded by a ministry made up by Prince
Hohenlohe-Schillingsfuerst. This ministry lasted but six weeks, and
June 2 the coalition cabinet of Baron Beck assumed office. Convinced
that the establishment of universal and direct suffrage would afford
the best means of stimulating loyalty to the dynasty, as well as the
only practicable means of freeing the Government from parliamentary
obstructionism, Emperor Francis Joseph accorded the Beck ministry his
earnest support in its purpose to push to a conclusion the task of (p. 470)
electoral reform. The effort attained fruition in the memorable
Universal Suffrage Law passed by both houses of the Reichsrath in the
closing days of 1906 and approved by the Emperor January 26 of the
following year. The measure, which was in form an amendment of the
fundamental law of December 21, 1867, concerning Imperial
Representation, was opposed by the conservative and aristocratic
members of both houses and by the extremer representatives of the
various nationalities; but, like other portions of the constitutional
system of the Empire, it may not be amended save by a two-thirds vote
of both houses, and it is likely to endure through a considerable
period unchanged.

*522. Racial and Geographical Distribution of Seats.*--In the course of
the prolonged negotiations between the Government and representatives
of the various nationalities by which the preparation of the law was
attended there was worked out a fresh allotment of seats to the
several racial groups of the Empire, in proportion, roughly, to
taxpaying capacity. The total number of seats was raised from 425 to
516. Their distribution among the races, as compared with that
formerly existing, was arranged as follows:[668]

_Before 1907_ _After 1907_
Germans of all parties 205 233
Czechs 81 108
Poles 71 80
South Slavs (Slovenes, Croats, Serbs) 27 37
Ruthenes 11 34
Italians 18 19
Roumanians