The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-03
THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT

Although the basis for the republic
OF Finland has not been definitely
81 determined, il may be assumed that
the new government will be along
fthes lines propose in a bill presented
inlthe diet on December 4, 1917, the
discussion of which was interrupted
'by the Rolshevist revolt and the effort
to forcibly secure control OF the coun-
try for the Boisheviki, In January
1918.
This BIN known as AN act provid-
ing a basis of a form of government
for Finland" briefly stated. contains
the following:
Finland is a republic. The legisia-
tive power Is vested in the diet and
the executive power in a president
In addition to this ministry shall
he charged with the administration
OF the affairs Of the realm. This
ministry liz composed of prime min
lister and a necessary number of other
ministers. The judicial power is
lodged in an independent judiciary.
The right to submit proposals for
new legislation or for the amendment.
or repeal OF existing laws shall belong
TO the president and the diet. If the
president avails himself OF this right
the bill Is drafted by the ministry.
After the diet has enacted a law, It
is presented to the president in a
meeting OF the ministry The presi-
dent can then order it published in
the form submitted or he can order
its reconsideration after a new cleo
ton has taken rlacc. This gives the
president the power to dissolve the
diet whenever in his opinion the well
fare of the country demands such
course OF aGtisor.
The DreSidPnt Ia elected directly
by the citizens OF Finland for a. term
of six years. All persons qualified
as electors for members OF the diet,
have the right to vote for president
All have equal suffrage and each cleo
tor casts one vote for one candidate.
The elections shall be held on Jan. Is
l6, In the manner provided by law. The
candidate receiving more than one
half OF all tho votes cast Is elected.
II no candidate receives a majority
Of votes, a rev election is to be held
on February 1916 following, at
which election each voter casts a ball
lot for one Of the three highest cam
didates in the earlier election. The
candidate then receiving the highest
number OF votes shall be declared
elected.
The president is inaugurated on
April Is, at which time he takes an
oath in the presence of the diet to
discharge the duties of his Office In
accordance with the laws OF the coun-
try.
The president has the right to issue
oroers in matters heretofore arrang-
ed by administrative statutes, to give
more spAcific directions as to enforce
ment OF laws end the care of govern
ment property, and the supervision
of he various administrative depart
ments and institutions OF the govern
mcnt. These ol'oers OF the president
must not however, constitute
change In the then existing law.
These are the fundamentals for
the proposed rep lblican form OF gov
eminent in Finland. and it may he
assumed that the law to be passed
bv the present diet will not greatly
vary from the main II DIVISION of the
proposal earlier suom tied, and above
briefly set forth
In commoa with the United States,
the law of Finland, guarantees the
freedom and safety Of the Individual
No one can be tried except by a law
fully constituted court and no one
can be called before court except
in manner provided by law govern
ing legal procedure.
Every citizen has the right to own
realty. The law recognizes the right
10 freedom of labor and pursuit of a
No permit is necessary in
trading or Industrial
unless the nature of the
requires special super
vistcn by the government. The by
laws OF stock company. however,
must be submitted Tor -appEnxal Ahe--