The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-12
SCANDINAVIA.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HEaAlo.

SPECIAL Correspondence Of THE hERAl0
Position of tho People and Politics Of rhe
Masses In Sweden-The Reform Question In
the Norti-Happy Blending Of Democracy
and Royalty-How the Kingdom and
How IL h RMled-PreparinR for n War Strug-
Standardization to Aid France Against Prus-
siR-Omcial Representation Of the United
States.
Tidings from Sweden and Norway rarely to
reach the American press Yet many events here
worthy to be placed side by side with those which
the subject Of active discussion the world over
Problems are being quietly and smoothly worked out
In these Northern countries which noisy struggled
over in almost every portion Of Europe. Reform,
comprehensive and wide, has been and Is being
inauguratod in the government, and the people
have themselves become the government Nowhere In
Europe the elective franchise free than here and
nowhere the people more powerful in their direct
influence In the affairs Of the nation than these his
toric Kingdoms. The liberal reforms now enjoyed have
not been gained without q long and weary struggle.
Old barriers had to be levelled, ancient prejudices
rooted out and the stubborn grasp Of tho iviney ap
pointed casses' in power to be shaken of. But all
these have been accomplished, and to-day the power
rests In the people, The King is executive, with less
power than the President OF the United States Yet
10 found that the country is quite as happy fully
strong and more enterprising in public works than IL
was under the old regime
The victory OF rsformlsts was gained last year. and
the new machinery OF representation 10 found 10 work
smoothly aud WELL But to obtain proper idea Of the
changes wrought IL 10 necessary to glance over the
form Of government which existed from the eleventh
century 10 the present time The country has always
enjoyed . constitutional government and the people
have always had representation In the Rssdag Dict
From the formation Of the Rigsdag IL has been COM
posed Of four houses representing four classes Of ct
zsns:-
Flrs-The Chamber OF Mobiles, which was composed
OF the head OF each noble house in the kingdom
Secossd-Chamber OF Bishops, comprising all the
bishops In the kingdom, by virtue OF their Office and
clergy chosen by the clergy in the various provinces of
Thisd-chambsr Of Burshers, composed Of merchants
FSsrih-House OF ' Peasants, who we're ownsrs Of
farms. These elected By the pcasantry who owned
property BY distrcts
IL was necessary to the assent Of thrce houses
70 pass law and the upper classes we're always brakes
upon the wheels Of progress which here elsewhere,
received impetus from the representatives. Of the people,
and not the arisocracy. In 1874, shortly after King
ssuied By his orders but Il failed in ihs upper houses
tho opposition OF the nobility being quite outsrpped BY
that Of the clergy who chung tsnaciousy to their worldly
Tor reform, and struggled against bitter opposition
until they won the long desired victory.
before the new representative form could be Instituted
required majority vote in all four houses 70 become
House Of Burghsrs had passed the constitutional enact
mont, but the clergy refused their assent.
,umul. was expected to Ss followed By iOrciOs sipu
IN. is'sr, s.sd and Inundated BY this general rising
Of the people, agreed to vote a. the mobiles
wit with patriotism and an enlightened in.elsenes,
privileges and by handsome majority passed the bill,
and TIE clergy with bad grace fastened follow. 50
the constitution was changed and instead Of four houses
accessible 10 the people Nobility, clergy burghers and
peasants are placed on an equal footing and enjoy
The two houses are now called the FIRST and second
Tho a cLs%o or ,s res our SCI.
iaiarss. They receive no salary must be thrty,nye
Of and enjoy an nSops q r0nr thousand gu r.
Eve years Of age and have income Of eight nnadrei
rix dollars or about two hundred and city dollars IN
american money. A voter must have that income -
we'll The paw Of shc members os the lower House Is
twelve hundred dollars year They are elected for
hold once for the period Of years Both houses are
presided over ~ speaker, or deputy speaker, ap.
pointed BY the King Al arc On az ~.
ing the debates and carrying out the rules ~ lad down
by the houses The most liberal scope Is allowed TO de-
bale, aud the right OF Interpolation 10 complete, The MIN
stry having tho right respond in either House The
debates conducted with great decoram, and display
being IN either House Under the present. govern :
ment the higher classes have not found their
realized. kveryibiag works smoothly and satis-
| factoriy, and thus q nne example 10 offered "a
other nations BY the Swedes OF happy combination
OF popular influence In government presided over ~
| king.
must be added that the present monarch is liberia
In his VI and 10 very popular With the people. He
| free and easy in his manners eschews all pomp and
royal display, and spends hrs money like kng-per
baps 100 freely the general taste. To tho Minister
state Baron Louis de Geer the originator OF the prcsen
reform, IL due in great measure its success He
bs country As yet there are really parties In th
countrv There " tendancy 70 run line between ths
proectionsts and Tree trsaeH' OUT me paFtiss haV'
| scarcely begun to crystalline. - .. $40