The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-20

should be noted. For example. no addition
can DO made to the number o. the Swiss can
tons without IN amendment to the Constitu.
ton. Tho control OF tho Federal over the State
Governments is Ia one particular much more
direct than In the United states. Under our
system tho Federal power. through its Su-
preme Court, exercises an Indirect right oil
veto on State constitutions. but instead OF pro-
nounoi6g In advance Il must walt until some
person has suffered and a concrete case at law
comes before It This course taken In ewltzer-
land Is much loss circultous. Whom the can.
tons revise their State Constitution they
must submit the amendments or revisions
to the INSPECTION OF the central Govern
ment. and II the two houses OF the Federal AZ
semby axree that nothing In thsm contra
venes the Federal Constitution, then, and not
before. can the act take effect When there
tween cantons or an insurrection within q
State las lately In tho canton Of Ticino). tho
Federal Government has certain powsrs OF in
terventon. The canton threatened must at
once advise the Federal Council OF its prsdic-
ament. aud the latter should take such meas
ures rs 1t finds necessary. or cohtoks tho
Federal Assembly. In case tho cAntonal Gov
eminent is not In condition to convoke aid. tho
Federal authority may intervene without .
reQuisition. Tho extent to which the central
Government may intorpose In the affairs OF .
State without re1uisition from tho latter has
never been fully defined but the Ticino pre-
csdent seems to establish that the Fed eral au-
thority is competent to innuirs into the valid
ity OF State elections. not only for members OF
the National Assembly but also for tho State
Legislature. This on the theory that the Fed
eral Constitution guarantees to every citizen
personal rights and political freedom.
II.
Let US look now At the three dspartments OF
the Swiss Federal Government-the leRisla.
tive. the executive. and the judicial. Tho law
making powers OF the General Government
are entrusted to Federal Assembly com.
posed OF two chambers. which arc distln-
guished a. the National Council. correspond
lug to our House OF Representatives. and
the Council OF Statrs. corresponding 70 our
Senate. Tho members OF the National Coun-
Gil are chosen by datricts. ono representative
being allotted to every 10000 Inhabitants or
fraction over 10000. As with u.s. tho
apportionment is made according to
decenaial census. and the number Of men,
bers has increased since 1860 from 100 to 145.
There Is naturally the widest difference be-
tween the States with regard TO the number OF
Berns sends twsnty-seyen
have but one each. The election Of member,
to the National Council is direct. and any Swiss
citizen who is 90 years OF age and allowed by
The laws OF his canton to vote in cantonal cleo.
lions. can Take part. The tom OF office Ia
three years. and the whole body is subject to |
reelection at the en-! OF that time The men, |
bers receive payment for their services cut of |
federal funds according to tho duration OF |
heir attendance the rate at present being
"A day with mileage. A President and
\ ice-President OF the National Council !
Speaker and deputy Speaker) are chosen
1t every session. But neither of these
'fflcss can be filled BY the same
person during two consecutive sessions. Tho
resident (Speaker) hos casting vote when
he House is equally divided on measure but
n elections OF Federal officials he votes like
my other member. The method Of appoints
ng committees differs materially from ours.
Phe National Council elects from its own num-
'er four tellers. who. with the President and
Ice Presijent. form what is called the bureau.
20 this bureau Is inlrusted the nomination OF
most OF the committees. besides the bus ness
4 looking after absentees. the counting OF
otes. and certain other matters. In another
e>pect the Swiss National Council differs from
ur House OF Represen tatives. in that two or.
mary sessions are hold every year. beginning
u tho Hhss AAouooy Olouuo euu tn0 liEbt mon
ay OF December.
The swiss Council OF States Is . body which
'as nvowody modelled on tho American Sem
to. the cantons. whether largo or small being
,presented by two delegates each. The man
or OF election. however. the torn OF office.
nd the amount OF compensation are deter
lined entirely by tho States themselves and
great diversity OF methods obtains in those
arttcuars- In some cantons the delegates
re elected BY tho popular vote. in 9TH
Is BY tho Legislature Again. tho term
office varios from one to three
'ars. and ihers is consequently
'utinual change in tho composition OF the
pper House. Owing apparently to tho short.
,ss Of tho term OF office. the chamber. which
.ates' rights itlea. Iacka tho dipni,v vb;,,, |
othes tho American Senate Owing IN mi.
ct the best talent in political ufa nrafars
sit in the National Council. and therefora IN.
,iitcal centre Of gravity ia to be found in m.
wer House. A. regards organization. IN.
,uncil OF States resembles tho National Conn. {
!. having President aud yice.President !
ossn at every session. {