Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-31
The Use of Oaths.


The London Standard publishes the fol.
lowing summary Of the declarations of allie
glance made by members Of the Legislatures
| Of the countries mentioned: In France.
since the abolition of the Empire on the
fourth Of September, 1870, no oath or air.
nation has been administered in any form
to members of the Legislature of the Repub-
lie. Nor is there any formality which might
be regarded as an equivalent. Under the
Empire new members made declaration to
the following effect: 81 swear fidelity to the
Emperor and the constitution" But the
name of the Deity was not included.
The members Of the German Parliament
take no oath, nor do they make any affirma-
| ton whatsoever. The members ofthe Prus-
sian, and most other State Parllaments, take
an oath of loyalty beginning with the words
u swear by God the Omnipotent and Om-
niscient" and concluding with the words
$50 may God help me-" To this latter for
mula those who wish to may add, through
Jesus Christ, to eternal bliss, Amen.p ANY
one refusing TO take the oath, or comment
ing upon it would undoubtedly be excluded
from the Prussian and other State Parlia.
ments. In conformity, however with the
laws regulating the administration of oaths
in civil and criminal courts, an exception
would be made In the case of persons be-
longing to recognized thestic religious COM
munitipQ kyhn Iiln
jewish sects, regard the name of the Deity
as too awful TO be invoked in the transac-
ton of secular business. In these cases n
simple affirmation would be regarded as
equivalent to an oath. The omission of
any oath In the German parliamentas occa-
stoned by the wish to avoid the delicate
question as TO the amount of loyalty due to
the Emperor, in contradistinction to State
sovereigns.
By the law passed ON the 18th of NAV.
1913, parliamentary oaths were abolished in
Austria, and simple affirmation was SUBJ
stltuted. The first paragraph of the stand.
ing orders Of the Austrian reichsrath reads
as follows "New members on entering
either OF the two houses, have, on the Pres
dents challenge, in place of taking oath,
TO promise loyalty and obedience to the
Emperor, inyiolable observance of the con.
sttuton, as well us of all other laws. and
concientious fulfllment Of their duties.p
Upon the President reading words to this
effect, the new member simply replies, II
promise
Articles thi-s 4,sa shis' y.sssl.s 81.
the rules Of the Spanish Congress say that
Deputies, before they can take their seats
shall make the following oath, which Is fead
aloud by the secretary Of the Congress, all
present standing "Doyou swear TO observe,
and make oath to observe, the constitution
OF the Spanish monarchy? DO you swear
fidelity and obedience to the legitimate King
Of Spain, Alfonso XIII DO you swear well
and truly to behave in the mission contided
to you by the nation, always and in every
thing seeking the welfare Of the nationl"
The Deputies then, two at time, approach
the table Of the President, and kneeling on
his right Land, he remaining sitting, they
place their hands on the Gospels laying open
before them, and say, ayes, do swear; and
the President then answers; AFT you do so,
may God reward you, and, IL not, may He
call you TO account
The President Of the Italian Chamber Of
deputies, seeing new Deputy in his place
says: 81 invite the honorable gentleman 10
take tho oath In the form following: Iswear
TO be faithful 10 the King, and 10 observe
loyalty the fundamental statute and the
other laws of the state, with a single view
TO the inseparable welfare of the King and
the country" The new deputy then, In
his place, stretches out his right hand, and
pronounces the ono word, "Giuro," t"I
sWearr1