Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-01-31

Christiana, Norway.
Aug. %, 1907
To Dakota Farmers Leader, Can
ton, S. D: Different from the Jew,
the Scandinavian intermarries with
other races, hence his identity is
quickly lost in the great multitude of
races. Full of sentiment and desire
for adventure which seems to be in
his blood and each generation fired
anew by the fairy tales fed on in the
youth, the Scandinavian as a rule is,
in a way, restless individual and a
natural sailor; like his half-brother,
the Irishman, he is impulsive and
will go farther for sentiment than
money if his heart is touched; but as a
rule neither are good money gather
ers; but as respective knights of the
rail and sea, they know no fear and
are hard to beat.
Denmark, Norway and Sweden at
present are separate constitutional
and hereditary monarchies. At vari-
Gus times in the past, two and even
all three have been united; but the
union has never been lasting and
while they are near .neighbors and
friends and their languages are very
similar, their manners, thoughts and
customs somewhat differ and like all
surviving national entities, each is
jealous Of it's own traditions, so it
would seem they will do best to keep
| house separately in the future after
the many unsuccessful trials of unit
ing in the past. They have always
had, as it seems, family quarrels
among themselves; but it is doubtful
if any of them would consent, with
out a fight, to have any foreign power
take the other. Many still do a
great deal of talking about the sepa-
ration of Norway and Sweden but it
is pleasing to note the courtesy and
kindness with which Swede is treat
ed in Norway or visa versa and the
best Of feeling exists between the
Danes and Norwegians, so that this
national antipathy SO much heard
about is only skin deep and it's allu-
sion by some, at this time, Is merely
an evidence of individual puerile hui
man nature.
The royal succession is in direct
male line in the order of first born.
In default of male heirs, in Norway,
the King may propose his successor
to the Congress (Storthing) and this
assembly has the right to nominate
another. if it chooses.
The Constitution of Norway adopt
ed May II, 1914, and patterned after
the French and American, vests the
legislative power in their Congress.
The King possesses limited right to
veto laws passed by the Congress-.
This royal veto may be exercised
twice; but if the same bill passes
three Storthings formed by separate
and subsequent elections, it becomes
the law of the land without the con-
sent of the King.
The King has command Of the navy
and army and makes all appointments
but with few exceptions, cannot nom-
mate anyone but Norwegians to office.
The Congress meets every year.
Elections take place every three years,
when 123 representatives for Storth-
ing are elected, 80 from the rural dis
tricts and only Al from all the towns.
From this will be seen that the far.
i nf r 1no FRY r~l hn
ernment. The Constitution provides
that to every one representative from
the towns. there must be two from
the country, so the Constitution max
! ers safely anchored the control of the
national government in the hands OF
the rural districts.
| Upon meeting, the Storthing goes
into committee of the whole and
then and there nominates and elects
one-fourth of its members into an Up.
! per House (Lagting,) the remaining
members being organized into the
Lower House (Odelsting), each body
choosing its own president. Ques-
tions relating to laws must be first
considered separately by each house,
but if the measure fails in one branch,
it may yet pass by the required two.
thirds Vote upon the final joint bal
lot, which. vote must be taken, before
a bill is finally disposed of, in case OF
previous failure in either House.
King Haakon, The Seventh, seems
| to know the art of populariZing him
self with his subjects and the Nor.
wegians are proud of him. He is fire.