New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-12
TIE SWISS ELECTION.

Among the numerous national elections which
have been held this month in various narts Of
the world that in Switzerland has received lea
attention. though it was not the least signif-
cant II was general election for apprnyino
or rejecting constitutional amendments urovid-
Ing Tor a change in the election of Members
or Congress. The Swiss Congress. or Federal
Assembly, was created on the plan Of the Con-
gress OF The nited States. The Senate. or Coun-
ell or States. consists of two members from each
canton, generally chosen by the cantonal Ieais-
INJURIES. though IN some cantonS they are chosen
by popular vote. The House of ReDresenta-
ives, or National Council. consists of members
elected by direct popular vote in districts
formed in the various cantons on a basis Of
population. precisely as our Congress districts
are formed in the various States The pro-
posed constitutional amendments provided that
the members of the Council of State should
coihpulSorlly be elected by popular vote in all
cahtohS and that the members of the National
Council should be elected on a general ticket in
each canton, instead of by districts. Both Of
THESE amendments We're overwhelmingly re-
Jected by the people. and the present system
VIII accordingly be continued
This result is Of especial interest az ha,ri,,,
upon the agitation for popular election of t. ited
States Senator's The arguments ueod In S.t+
Zerland were similar 10 those put forward hero
and there. as here the change was most STRONGLY,
advocated by the Radical elements Of tbn
electorate Switzerland moreover has lone, in
clhed strongly toward some Socialist theories II
has, for example the initiative and rcfercndum
which some here vainly imagine would he =
panacea for political Ills and TO which rho
Bryanite party in our late camnoi,,u was
strongly committed There was therefore an
expectation that the amendment for Donulor
election of Senators would be adnuted rho
other amendment. relating to fine nIoctio,, of
Representatives 10y cantons en- bloc instead Of
by separate districts, is reminiscent of ,ario,s
processes here, which have scarcely however
become serious issues IN our politics. Both
systems prevail here, the district system in the
clectloh OF representatives in Congress and of
Members of Assembly in most State I e,i.,o,
ures. while the on bloc system is followed IN a.,
election of Presidential electors and IN the cboio
or Assemblymen by counties in some of tho
States The issue was Leading one in France
however, in Gambetta's time when scr,tin 40
liste and scrutin d'arrondissemept wore ,ba
popular shbbolcths for several wears Tho l.t.
ter, corresponding with our Congress dfs1ric,
system and with the Swiss system no,v nra
walls i'll France and as stated, is to be retained
in Switzerland.
We may regard the result of this Swiss cleo
ton. or plebiscite as indicative Of the strength
OF conservatism in that country Indeed. Swift
zerfand is far less radical than il appears 10 be
We have cited the referendum as an indication
OF radical and Socialist tendencies So it is on
the face OF IT. and actually to some degree. But
there is, after all, vast difference between the
referendum as 1t exists in Switzerland and the
referendum as 1t would exist were If adoptad
: mere. For In Switzerland that device of Rous-
seau was adopted, almost through necessity, to