Abstract
The study focuses on Masaryk's first parliamentary period (1891-1893), specifically on economic issues, on which he felt the need to express his opinion. Emphasis is placed on Masaryk's concept of the social question and on whether the given economic problems were viewed by him in the context of the social question.
Two economic issues are analyzed as part of this study. Masaryk spoke about these issues in five of his parliamentary speeches.
One issue is the financial aid for lower government officials, and the second is an investment in railway construction in southern Bohemia. Masaryk took a unique stance in case of financial aid to officials because he was trying to push the decision, that they should receive maybe even lesser amount of financial aid but that aid should be provided immediately, through a vote.
In the case of railway construction, Masaryk had the desire to take care of the economic elevation of otherwise highly neglected southern Bohemia. He tends to present both topics within his speeches from the perspective of the social question.
Individual speeches are set in the context of the relevant historical events and are accompanied by reactions of the contemporary press of both Czech and German/Austrian origin.