Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-09-30
CLING TO HOME RULE.
William e. Curtis Writes Of Unique
Record Of the People Of Sweden.

With the exception of the British par
lament, the Swedish riksdag is the
oldest legislative body in the world.
The Kingdom of Sweden has main
tanned its integrity for not less than
1000 years. Sc far back as the Swe-
dish people, the boundaries of their
land have remained the same. The
Duchy of Finland was subject to Swe-
dish sovereignty at one time. and at
different periods Sweden has been
united with Norway and Denmark un-
der the same ruler, but Sweden has
been Sweden ever since human be-
ings inhabited its territory, and it is
the only nation in Europe that has
never been invaded or conquerqued or
had its boundaries changed by
foreign powers. Since the beginning
of history home rule has prevailed
among the people and has been de-
fenced and recognized as their right
The parishes have always controlled
their own affairs. and since the refor-
nation their government has been
in the hands OF board elected by the
people. of which the pastor of
the church is chairman Every
body who pays taxes. men and women
alike, may vote at the election of the
council. The council selects the bur
gomaster from among their own mum
Der, who serves for life and is usual
ly required to abstain from all other
business except that which pertains
to the public veal. The parishes are
consolidated into twenty-five provin-
ces, similar to our states, each having
IA certain independence and govern
ernment of its own. although the gov
ernor-general. who also serves for
life or good behavior. is appointed by
the king.
!. The riksdag was formerly composed
of six distinct bodies, representing
the different classes of the commun-
ity. and all laws required their ap-
proval. In 1866. however. this clum-
sy arrangement was abolished and the
national legislature was consolidated
into two bodies known as the first
and second chamber. similar to our
senate and house of representatives
The two chambers are equal in every
respect, except that the second cham
ber. or lower house, has the advan
tage of numbers when deadlock
arises and the question In dispute is
decided by joint ballot. Then. un-
less there should be an overwhelm-
ing difference of opinion, the second
chamber usually has its will, which
is perfectly right because it repre-
sents the people. The king must ap-
prove all legislation to make it effec-
tive. and his veto is final, except in
matters concerning taXations and the
expenditure of public money. The
diet has the sole power to levy taxes
and make appropriations with or with
ont $ consent.
The first chamber. which corre-
spends to our senate, Is composed of
l48 members. one to every 10000 in
habitants. elected for terms of nine
years by the provincial councils and
by the city councils in towns of more
than 5000 inhabitants. AS the coun
ellis are elected by the taxpayers. both
men and women. the members of the
first chamber may be regarded as
the representatives of the property
owning portion of the community.
Tol be eligable TO the first chamber
candidate must be 35 years old. own
property assessed at 2l,O0O, and pay
taxes upon an income of not less than
$1,000. Rank does not count. The
qualifications is pecuniary entirely,
and so evenly is property distributed
in Sweden that only 10000 people III
the entire kingdom are eligible 10 the
first chamber of the diet
The members of the second cham
ber. 22S lin number. are elactei for
three years. one for every 10000 of
population. Each must have prop
erty worth 1886. or have leased $1,000
worth of land for five years, Or pay
taxes on an income of 500 kroner
(about $214. These are also the
qualifications for voting fu nell pers
o: the parliament. The entire mum
be. @; voters registered does not c.,
oeed 100000, or abou: onefourth of
the adult male population of the king
dom fo' several years tn, re has
been Il demand on the part
of the liberal party. and particularly
from the socialists. for modification
of this law The socialists demand
universal SuhTuBes ut lbeiaio d'
vocate reduction in the properly
qualifications, so that all persons pay
ing taxes on an income of 800 i,roper
(about $50 a year, shall be allowed
to vote p ublic sentiment is grow
ing so rapidly and the working classes
are becoming so importunate that the
law will probably be amended by the
conservative party. which Is In power,
and the qualification will De liked at
500 kroner u year.
There is very little politics in
Sweden. There are three parties,
known as the conservatives. the lib
erals and the socialists. The con-
servative party Is comprised of the
aristocracy, the church, the agricult-
ural classes and people of conserva-
tive sentiment generally. The liberal
party is composed of the progressive
elements, the theorists, the artisans.
the mechanics, the school teachers
and tho th.nlxinu man amnpp The Ia