Switzerland

Justice.

Each canton elects, controls and pays (often merely a nominal sum, even if the posts are not entirely honorary) its own magistracy for ordinary civil and criminal trials. There are cantonal variations in the penal code, e.g., capital punishment exists only in nine cantons and one half-canton.

The Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgericht) sits at Lausanne. There are 26-28 full members (plus nine supplementary judges), elected by the Federal Assembly to hold office for six years with eligibility for re-election. The Federal Assembly also elects every two years the president and vice-president who, as such, cannot be re-elected. The original and final jurisdiction of the Bundesgericht extends to disputes between the confederation, the cantons, corporations, and private individuals, so far as these differences refer to Federal matters, and involve more than 4,000 fr. in dispute, in financial suits. It is a court of appeal against cantonal authorities in the application of Federal laws, and also against decisions of other Federal departments. It is a court of trial for persons accused of treason, or other offences against the confederation. The four courts of the Bundesgericht are: Court of Accusation, Criminal Court (with paid jurors elected by the people), Federal Penal Court, Court of Cassation.

Federal Finances, Post Office, Bank.

Bef ore 1848 there was no strong Federal authority, and Federal finances were almost unknown. The subsequent increase in power of the confederation is shown by the annual balance sheet. In 1849 the receipts were nearly £240,000, as against an expenditure of £260,000. By 1873 the amount on each side exceeded a million pounds ; in 1883, two million pounds; in 1900, four millions. In 1928 revenue was

estimated at £12,889,200 and expenditure at £13,260,000. An "adverse" figure has been a feature of recent budgets. The float ing debt (Jan. 1, 1926) was slightly in excess of £4,000,000.

By the Federal Constitution of 1848 the post office was made a Federal responsibility, and a Federal law of 1851 extended this to the electric telegraph. In the 1874 constitution, both branches remained within the jurisdiction of the confederation, while in 1878, this control extended to the telephone service.

In 1891 the principle of a State bank with a monopoly of note issue was accepted. A first scheme was rejected by a popular vote in 1897, but a second was successful in 1905. The "Swiss National Bank" was opened on June 20, 1907, with its head quarters divided between Zurich and Berne. On March 7, 1928, it had, as main items, nearly 796 million fr. in circulation as notes as against 4321 million fr. in bullion (gold and silver), and over 315 million fr. in bills; the lowest denomination for a national banknote is five francs. The current and deposit ac counts amounted to nearly 92 million francs. Since April 1, 1927, gold currencies of other countries of the former Latin Monetary Union (dissolved in 1926) have ceased to be legal tender in Switzerland.

Historical.

The inhabitants of Switzerland were always a hardy and independent race, but their high military reputation dates from the middle of the 15th century, when the comparatively ill-armed and untrained mountaineers signally defeated Charles the Bold of Burgundy and the flower of the chivalry of Europe in the battles of Granson, Morat and Nancy (q.v.; see also Swiss