Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06
learned how to handle the profits woaden
hen of modern times.
The New Swiss Capitol.

hen of modern times.
The New Swiss Capitol.
Switzerland has just completed new
capitol building. 1t is a magnificent struc-
ture on the banks of the Aar, surrounded
by some of the most beautiful views of this
beautiful &C untry. The building cost more
than a million dollars. 1t covers several
acres rising from massive stone platform
or esplanade looking out over the river ana
the mountains. The structure is pure SWISS
in every respect. Swiss architects planned
it. and Swiss workmen built it. Every bit
of material in it came from Switzerland.
The sandstone Is from the quarries OF
Berne, and the marbles are from the dif-
ferent cantons. 1t was eight years In build
ing and when 1t was turned over to the
congress only last April President Lemp
made the dedication speech, saying:
'sMr President and members OF the ma
tional council and council of state: we nara
to you the new Swiss capitol. Its cupoia,
surmounted with the federal cross, Will be
a token to the coming generations OF the
unity and amity which now exists through
out the Swiss nation. May our successors
continue these conditions. and may they,
under the protection of Almighty God, ever
preserve them in justice, wisdom and truth,
animated by love equal to that which we
have for the free and beautiful fatherlano.
The Swiss Congress.
I spent some time in going through the
capitol building, and during my stay took
a look at the Swiss congress. The mousse
of representatives is built in the shape OF a
half moon, with the seats rising IN con-
centric rows from front to back. Tne presi-
dent sits on a raised platform somewhat
like our Speakers desk. with clerk
on each side of him. The press galleries
are at the front, so that the newspaper
CORRESPONDENTS face the members. Eacn
member has his own desk and chair. and
the house, when in session. looks NOT un-
like of our legislative assempiles
A curious feature Of the Swiss congress
is the public translator. These people nave
more different languages than the lana
dams. The eastern part OF the countt! 10
German, the western French ana the south
ern Italian. About 10 per cent OF the peo-
pie speak German, 20 per cent French, ana
about 6 per cent Italian, with per cent
speaking other languages. In western
Switzerland nearly all the signs are french,
in the eastern states they are all German,
and in Ticino they are Italian. The gov
eminent reports are printed In German ana
French. and the speeches here are mace IN
either German or French, for nearly all tne
members understand both languages. Inc
orders of the president are translated by
the official interpreter, and all OF his mes
sages are furnished the press in the two
languages.
much like our Senate chamber. Both cham
bers are lighted from the ceilings, ana IN
addition have electric lights.
Odd Government Institutions.
The Swiss Republic has a number Of fea-
lures which are not found in that of the
United States. All citizens who are over
twenty have the right to vote and all voters
with the exception of clergymen are eligible
to congress Representatives are chosen at
the rate of one representative for every
twenty thousand souls, this rule covering
the whole Swiss republic. The members of
the state council, senate, are elected by
the cantons or states, two for each canton.
Each state pays the salaries of its senators,
but the salaries of the representatives are
paid by the national government.
All laws are mae by congress, but If the
laws are not satisfactory to the people, upon
the application of 10000 petitioners or Of
be submitted to the popular vote, and If
this is against them, they cannot go into
effect This Is what is known as the ref
erendum," and it is one Of the characteris-
tic features of the Swiss government.
In addition to this they have here what
is called the Initiative" This provides
that If petition signed by $1,000 people is
presented to the government asking for an
amendment to the constitution. that amend
ment must be at once submitted to vote.
If there Is a majority in the affrma tive,
congress has to modify the constitution &C
cOrdingly.
In many of the Swiss cantons 1t used to
be that all political matters were settled by
a viva voce election of the people. All came
together in the open air, speeches were
made and the questions submitted to vote.
At present such things are generally done
in council chambers. The cities have their
own aldermen. and some of the states have
their own legislatures.
The Supreme Court.
The laws are administered here in a way
different from that of the United States.