The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-07

that the newspaper correspondents face the
members.
Each member has his own desk and chair.
and the House. when in session. looks not
unlike one bf our legislative
\ curious icatur. o! the Swiss Congress
IS the public translator.
These propie have more different Ian
gEaees than the Canadians
The eastern part Of the country Is Ger
man. the western French and the southern
Italian.
About 70 per cent OF the people speak
German. % per cent French. and about 6
per cent Italian, with . per cent speaking
Other languages.
In Western Switzerland nearly all the
s;.rs are Iror.n. in the Eastern States
thov are at. ,;,rmHn. aud IN Tfcinc they are
Italian.
The Government rsror;s are printed IN
German and French, and the speeches here
are made ia either German or French. for
nearly nil the m"mn"T- understand both
Languages.
The orders 81 the President aEe translated
by the official interpreter.
All of his message are furnished the
press In the two languages.
The upper house. or state Council Hall.
Is much like our Senate Chamber.
Both chambers are lighted from the cell
Ings. ana. in addition, have electric lights.
The Swiss Republic has "A number Of .ea-
lures which are not found IN that Of the
United Sratce.
All citizens who are over % have the
right +" vote. lud 81! voters. with the OK
orItou "f ctergymen. AZ" eligible to Con-
Er.ss-
Representatives ere cGosen At the rate
Of one Representative tar every @lf-r souls.
This rule c~n.,.."g tHe w"o!" SWISS Re
public.
The members Of tho state Council. or
SeuAt". az" cI~.te" ~ lie Cantons OF
Stats. Nv" for ,.rn canton
Each STATE pays Inc salaries oF its Som
atoTi. hut the salaries of ~" Representa-
tivns ar paid by the National 'invernm mt.
All laws ar- uade by congress. hut if the
laws az. not satisfactory I" H." people. IN
on tn. ll,iira;inu If GG."l' petitioners ~ ~
eight Of tn STAT" governments thy must
be submitted to the popular vote.
II This ! against them. tfl"y cannot s"
into effect.
CITIZENS MAY PETITION FOR
CONGRESSIONAL AMENDMENTS.
This is what is known 80 the "referen-
DUN aaG IL i one ~ ~" characteristic
uf the swiss Government.
In addition tr his they have here what
is called .hr initiative"
This provides that Il > petition signed
h. Ja.-n T"npl- is presented TO the Govern
ment asking fcr an amendment IL the Con
Stl'Nls'l II. i'.il hEil'li'.l ~ i.iF - IL 'i-'
submitted L" vote.
If there IS !. majority in the affirmative.
has TO modify The CONSTITUTION A.
coriinPly.
In many ~ the Swiss ~cartons Il rsn.I tn
be that al political mItt"rs We're settled
by a viva voCr election Of thu people.
All cgme together in the open sir. sreech-
es We're mrGc and tho questions submitted
to vote.
\, present such things are generally +
done In council hi mhefs.
The cities nave their own Aldermen. and
Of the Statos have their own Iegis-
Til" laws are administered here I'm n way
Different from tha: OF ia" tinted States.
We ~ point oar Federal judges.
IN Switzerland they az" elected by Com
gross.
TIL supreme Court consists ot nine Judges
md nine aIt"rn1:es elected fGr terms Of six
years.
ANY man except a clergyman con Be choS-
an. and it makes 10 matter whether he is
I lawyer or not.
Til" court. however. must he so divided
hat three Of the Judges can speak French.
.hrCe German and three Italian.
Tie SWISS Judges receive only Ore-ffth
Is much salary as the members OF our 81
prem" Court.
The are each paid s2C0o a year. with g.
day extra far travelling expenses while
absent on judicial hISiness from the capital.
oar Supreme Court Judges are elected
'or lie, those of the Swiss are elected for
term Of six years.
The constitution provides that their vaca-
ions shall not exceed four weeks Of the
rear.
Their Jurisdiction extends to the same
natter as the Supreme Court OF the Unit
ii States. including all questions of dis
'utes between the cantons or states and ali
OF international iaw.
FRANK g. CARPENTER.
Copyright. 1852. by +. G. Carpenter.