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Constitution of the German Empire (April 16, 1871)

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4. the general regulations as to banking;

5. the granting of patents for inventions;

6. the protection of intellectual property;

7. the organisation of the common protection of German commerce in foreign countries, of German vessels and their flags at sea, and the arrangement of a common consular representation, which is to be salaried by the Reich;

8. railway affairs – excepting in Bavaria the arrangements in Art. 46 – and the construction of land and water communications for the defence of the country and for general transport;

9. the rafting and navigation affairs on waterways belonging in common to several of the States, and the condition of the waterways, and likewise the river or other water dues;

10. postal and telegraphic affairs; in Bavaria and Württemberg, however, only with reference to the provisions of Art. 52;

11. regulations as to the reciprocal execution of judgments in civil affairs and the settlement of requisitions in general;

12. likewise as to the verification of public documents;

13. the general legislation as to obligatory rights, penal law, commercial and bill of exchange laws, and judicial procedure;

14. the military and naval affairs of the Reich;

15. the measures of medicinal and veterinary police;

16. the regulations for the press and for associations.

Art. 5
The legislation of the Reich is carried on by the Federal Council and the Reichstag. The accordance of the majority of votes in both Assemblies is necessary and sufficient for a law of the Reich.

In projects of law on military affairs, on naval affairs, and on the taxes mentioned in Art. 35 the President has the casting vote in cases where there is a difference of opinion, if his vote is in favour of the maintenance of the existing arrangements.

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