each chamber has a right
to present memorials to the king; to refer to the ministers documents
addressed to it, and to demand explanations respecting complaints made
therein; and to appoint commissions for the investigation of subjects
for its own information. The right of interpellation is expressly
recognized. But, as has been pointed out, the ministers are not in
practice responsible to the legislative chambers, and neither they nor
the king himself can be compelled to give heed, unless they so desire,
to legislative protests, demands, or censure. Where a parliamentary
system does not exist, the influence of the legislative branch upon
matters of administration is likely to be confined to the simple
assertion of opinion.

IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT: ORIGINS AND PRINCIPLES[388]

[Footnote 388: The judicial system of Prussia,
regulated in common with that of the other states
by Imperial law, is described in Chapter 11, pp.
241-244. Articles 86-97 of the Prussian
constitution deal with the subject of the
judiciary, but many of their provisions have been
rendered obsolete by Imperial statutes.]

*284. The Measures of Stein and Hardenberg.*--The origins of the local
governmental regime prevailing in the kingdom of Prussia to-day
antedate, to some extent, the nineteenth century, but in large part
they are to be traced to the period of the Stein-Hardenberg
ministries. By the memorable Municipal Edict (_Staedt-Ordnung_) of
November 19, 1808, Stein set up a complete municipal system, with
burgomasters, executive boards, and town councils (all elective), and
swept away the oligarchy of the guilds, broadened the franchise, and
conferred upon the towns almost complete independence, even in the
matter of taxation. An edict of 1831 inaugurated a revival of the
right of the central authorities to supervise local taxation and
introduced a number of other changes, but, on the whole, the municipal
arrangements of the present day are based upon the edict of Stein.
More immediately, they rest upon an act of 1853, applied originally
only to the six eastern provinces of the kingdom, but eventually
extended to the others. Aside from its introduction of the three-class
electoral system, and a few other matters, this law follows closely
the measure of 1808 and but consolidates and extends pre-existing
arrangeme