election. Vacancies are filled by special elections, which may
be held at any time, according to procedure specified by law.
Representatives receive a stipend of 20 crowns for each day's
attendance, with an allowance for travelling expenses.

The fundamental law prescribes that the Reichsrath shall be (p. 473)
convened annually, "during the winter months when possible."[671] The
Emperor appoints the president and vice-president of the Herrenhaus,
from among the members of the chamber, and for the period of a
session. The Abgeordnetenhaus elects from its members its president
and vice-president. Normally, the sessions of both houses are public,
though upon request of the president, or of at least ten members, and
by a decision taken behind closed doors, each house possesses the
right, in exceptional instances, to exclude spectators. Projects of
legislation may be submitted by the Government or by the individual
members of the chambers. Measures pass by majority vote; but no act is
valid unless at the time of its passage there are present in the lower
house as many as 100 members, and in the upper house as many as 40. A
curious provision touching the relations of the two houses is that if,
on a question of appropriation or of the size of a military
contingent, no agreement can be reached between the two houses after
prolonged deliberation, the smallest figure approved by either house
shall be regarded as voted.[672] By decree of the Emperor the
Reichsrath may at any time be adjourned, or the lower chamber
dissolved. Ministers and chiefs of the central administration are
entitled to take part in all deliberations, and to present their
proposals personally or through representatives. Each house may,
indeed, require a minister's attendance. Members of the chambers may
not be held responsible for any vote cast; and for any utterances made
by them they may be held responsible only by the house to which they
belong. Unless actually apprehended in a criminal act, no member of
either house may be arrested or proceeded against judicially during
the continuance of a session, except by the consent of the chamber to
which he belongs.[673]

[Footnote 671: Law of December 21, 1867, concerning
Imperial Representation, Sec. 10. Dodd, Modern
Constitutions, I., 77.]

[Footnote 672: Law of December 21, 1867, concerning
Imperial Represent