River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-10-21
SWEDEN AND NORWAY.
= Crisis which May Ala in Their biz
ruptiOn.
NewlYork Graphic


The present struggle in the united
kingdom of Sweden and Norway is APP
preaching a crisis which is very likely
TO end in the disruption of the two
countries, united under the treaty of
Kiel in 1911. New ideas and aspira-
tons are agitating the modern Norwe-
gian. He is signing for republican
form of government, or for a change of
the name constitutional monarchy to
that of republic, for his monarchy is
liberal enough to put To shame most of
the so-called republics of the world.
Every male Norwegian of % is an
elector-with some few limitations
and the deputies of the storthing or
national assembly of Norway are
chosen from every class of the pOpula-
ton, which numbers about 100000.
All men are eligible to the storthing,
except those holding government Of
fees. The storthing makes and re-
peals laws, regulates the finances, and
Totes the funds for public expenses.
The king has an executive power, res
trained by cabinet composed eXcm-
sively of Norwegians, and by a person
mel wholly Norwegian. His veto can
only suspend the effect of any law
passed by the storthing for three years.
He eau. however, renew his veto every
three years, until the ninth, when, if
the storthing persist, the law is passed
over his head
This is precisely what has happened
several times, and in the last instance
upon the passage of an act peculiarly
exaspcrating TO the king--an act abol-
ishing the nobility. Three times sue
cessNcly at the end of three years has
the king vetoed this bill, and now it
must have its effect despite the king.
The storthing plants itself immovably
upon its fundamental right (grund-low)
declares it will never yield to his pre-
tensions to the right a absolute veto,
and excludes the kings counselors from
its floor
The freedom of the press is absolute
in Norway. as is the right Of the people
to assemble--that much-coveted right
SO long denied in France. Military
service is obligatory upon all male citi-
zens. The judicial system is peculiar,
but works satisfactorily. The electors
chooSe the justices of the peace and the
criminalju jurors. The justices of the
peaee elect the judges of the lower
courts, one hundred and sixteen in
number, and these in their turn elect
the judges of the five superior tribu-
mails, The administration, the army,
the navy, and the treasury are sepa-
rate from those of Sweden No Swe-
dish. forces are allowed in Norway and
no Norwegian forces in Sweden in time
of peace
The revolutionary tendencies ofNor-
way are regarded by Sweden with,dis-
favor, for Sweden is conservative. She
venerates old institutions and hates the
very name of democracy. 4 single
fact shows the difference Of the two
countries. The members of the upper
house of the Swedish parliament are
! elected by the provincial assemblies
(landthingsi They must be 35 years
of age, and own real estate to the value
or 112, GOO francs. What viii he the
end of the present contest? If not
complete rupture between Sweden and
Norway, very important notifications
in their political constitutions are GER
tain to be effected. in view ofthe march
of events in Europe; everything points
to the further triumph Of the demo
cratic idea"