Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-08-19

not less than 300 kroner (sSll
in the country of 400 kro
ner l$l0S) in cities, or live with hns
bands who have paid an equal amount
to the same rights of men in votine
and holding Office in the munic!pali
ties of the kingdom. A new census
is to be taken this summer. and al
the October election the women ol
Norway will for the first time partici
pate.
Up till 1898 the men of Norway
who were over % years of age en-
joyed universal suffrage for ratioual
affairs. but taxpayers and rate payers
only were allowed to vote in munic-
ipal affairs. This was queer sort oi
an arrangement. Norway Is divid
ed into ecclesiastical parishes which
are the voting districts as in England
and are governed in a similar way.
The Norwegian constitution of 1871
based upon the principle Of popular
Iself-government. declared these munic-
] palities completely Independent in the
management OF their own affairs. plac-
ing the administrative authority. with
the power of taxation and the dis
bursement of the revenues in the
hands of the taxpayers and household
ers. so that they could not be CO.
creed by the national government. if
there ever was any disposition in that
! direction.
This authority is exercised through
a council called a bystyre, composed
of from twelve to forty-eight mem
| H. 90
the parish, who are elected for a
term of three years and serve gratu-
itously. The council elects from its
own number a chairman who is the
head of the whole municipal organiza-
| ton, and is known as an ordforer
He corresponds to the German burg
| omaster and the mayor of the Ameri
can city
In addition to the popular council
there is a magistrate representing the
royal government, who, with the con
sent of the council. may be admitted
to their deliberations, but Is no. al
lowed to vote. He is also ex.oficio a
member and often chairman of n,unic.
ipal departments or commissions,
such as the board of public works.
the school board, the harbor commits
sion. In this way he becomes con
Meeting link between the national an
thority at Christiana and the mrnici-
pal councils throughout the king 'om,
because certain measures of local III
terest are subject to restrictions by
the national parliament, particularly
those involving the finances.
A ,I.t
proval of the parliament for un.,eI-
taking costly new enterprises or H.
changing the existing order of things
or in incurring financial Obligations
although the authority of the central
government in this respect is only oi
4 negative character. 1t cannot i'm
nose anything upon the municipal
ties or require them to adopt any par
ticular policy or measure, but must
sanction matters of importance which
involve the general policy and fnan
oial welfare of the nation. This pow.
er has been used with great caution
land has never been employ ID to OBJ
struct wise measures intende! to pro
mote the welfare of the community.
Municipal development in Norway has
always been in the direction Of self
government. Only occasioral'v has
the parliament interfered. and then
only has refused. to permit local coup.
ellis to impose heavy pecuniary bur
lens upon the people.
The patriotism of a Norwegian is
shown wherever you meet him. He
oan never be convinced that there is
any better country than the rocks and
hills and forests among which he was
born. although he may have been
compelled to emigrate in order to earn
a living. Those who remain at home
are equally patriotic, and take pro
found interest in political affairs
They value the privilege as part of
their lives, as an inalienable inherit
lnce, and when they We're required
TO earn certain amount of money he
fore they could participate in public
iffairs they had an additional incent-
i've to work and to save.
1t is a wholesome experience for an
American to bring his wife to Nor
way and let her see how women can
work. The Norwegian woman usu-
ally carries little more than her
share of the,load, and can support
husband without difficulty if he in
sists upon it. There is nothing so
admirable in this world as useful
woman, particularly ii she is married
tc man inclined to leisure and loaf
ing. In Norway and other countries
of northern Europe the ballad Il Love
to See My Dear Old Mother Work"
is something more than an affection
ate sentiment. 1t has a practical sig
liflcance, and is frequently found in
husbands as well as SONS.
In Holland. Belgium and Denmark
| have seen women harneased to carts
with both dogs and donkeys hauling
heavy loads, while the husband. son
or father, as the case may be. walk
ID alongside and assisted by directing
them where to go and regulating their
speed. | have never yet seen a man
riding in cart hauled by woman,
but | have no doubt that devoted and
iffectionate wives often haul their