Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-21

sion hut there cannot be more than one
from the same canton. 1t is customary 70
divide the federal council equally petWeen
the Germans and the Frenchmen, with an
Italian for the odd man; atnout bar 'n ne the
council can be a member of the semply,
although he has the right 10 a sea- up oo
the floor and to participate IN the denates
federation are elected annually at the be-
ginning of the winter sessions OF tne as
sembly by a Joint vote of the two houses
from among the seven members OF tne IeG I.
eraI council. Thus the chief magistrate Is
changed every year, and the same man
cannot be reelected to succeed hlmseiI
without an Intervening term; The e,oo wee
president Is nrss,dent ia paiG eary
of So, 100 a year, the vice president receives
the same; the members of the council re-
ceive $500. The president has no mouse,
but lives wherever he pleases and pays ms
own rent and all other living expenses. He
has no allowances or perquisites or any
kind.
The chief justice OF the supreme court
ard the general-in-chief OF the army are
also elected by joint ballot by the assem-
bly,. but have no fixed terms. They can ne
removed at anv time by vote
Both the president and the vice president
are the heads of executive departments, In
addition to their other duties. The presi-
dent usually takes the portfolio OF foreign
affairs because that involves the least WORK,
and the vice president usually presldes over
the department Of justice and educatloh
for similar reasons. In addition to these
are the departments Of finance and Gus
tom. posts and railways. the interior. IN
dustry and agriculture and military affairs.
Council and Assembly.
The idea is that the federal council is the
agent of the assembly to carry out its Will,
which is the will Of the people. and all OF
the acts of the federal council must be re-
viewed by the assembly. 1t is the closest
form of parliamentary government In the
world Every decision of the federal coun-
Gil and every act can be revised. revoked
or reversed by the assembly, but the as
sembly is compelled to rely upon the coun-
Gil to enforce its will and execute Its laws.
Sometimes the two bodies differ in judg-
ment They have had long deadocks at
different times over the liquor laws. state
ownership Of railways. the granting OF
to encourage the emigration of the popula-
ton from Switzerland. and in other cases,
but ultimately the council has to give IN
when the people by their votes reelected
prove their actions. A new council Is elect
ed by each assembly, and the assembly
meets within three months after the cleo
ton, SO that both are suppssed to -eore-
sent public opinion very closely.
The assembly creates the council. but can
no dissolve 1t, When member OF the
cabinet (or counciD is elected he cannot be
removed during his term of three years
unless he is impeached before the supreme
court and the terms of the cabinet are con-
temporary with those Of the members OF
the assembly who elect them. The first
thing new assembly does after a.. is sworn
in is to elect its cabinet, and the latter as
soon as 1t can organize, within day or
two elects Its president. His duties are
very much the same as those Of the Presi-
dent of the United States He distributes
the patrona~ he approves or vetoes the
acts Of the assembly. he issues pardons. etc.
Initiative and Referendum.
erendum prevails in Switzerland. All bills
pared by the members Of the federal coun-
Gil. at their own instance or at the sugges-
ton of one or more members Of the federal
assembly. or the local legislatures or magis-
trates Of the different cantons.
If either chamber does not like the terms
of the bill 1t can send it back to the coun-
Gil for revision. II 1t approves Of them after
examination and consultations in commit
tee the bill Is submitted to a vote Of both
houses. But neither house can originate
law. II the amendments suggested by the
committees are not approved by the federal
council the president can veto 1t and send
1t back with his reasons.
All laws of a permanent character must
be submitted to the referendum-that is, to
q vote Of the people-and all temporary
laws also provided demand is made by
$1,000 Or more voters, or by the legislators
of eight or more cantons. 1t Is not custom
airy, however, to submit to the referendum
or private bills. The theory is that the peo-
pie know what they want In the way of
legislation and are the court Of final appeal;
the assembly. representing the people. ex-