GOVERNMENT. The basis of the present Consti tution of the Netherlands is the fundamental law of 1815. as successively revised in 1840, 1848, and 1887. According to this Constitution the State is an hereditary mon:Irchy. having the sys tem of parliamentary o• resimnsilde government. The law of succession is lineal primogenial, with preference for males. In default of all legal heirs, the successor is determined In• a joint meet ing of the two chambers of Parliament (each con taining twice the usual of members). The sovereign attains his or her majority at the age of eighteen.
The legislative power of the Netherlands is vested conjointly in the sovereign and Parliament, or States-General. The Parliament consists of two chambers with eonsiderable inequality of powers in legislation. The Upper Chanmbe• is composed of 50 members elected by the legisla tures (provincial councils) of the several prOV ces into which the kingdom is divided, and from among the highest taxpayers and cer tain high officials designated by law. Their term is nine years, one-third retiring every three years. Those members not residing at The Ilague, the seat of government, ore allowed a compensation of about $4.75 per day during the se—ion of the Parliament. The Lower Chamber is composed of 100 members, chosen by districts and by direct suffrage. Those qualified to vote for members 44 the Lower Chamber include all male citizens tmenty-tive years of age, who are (milers or tenants of houses or boats. or Nv1i0 posses: certain evidences of capacity and busi ness ability. At present, but little more than 1 I per cent. of the population is qualified to vote 1111(11.r these provisions.
The member, of the Lower chamber serve for a term of four years, one-half retiring every sec ond year. Any Netherlander who has attained the age of thirty years and who is in the full enjoyment of his civil and political rights is eligible to membership in the Lower Chamber. The members receive an ;innual salary of $850, besides traveling expenses. The sessions of the chambers are publb.„ although each by a ma jority vote may hold secret sessions. Either may bo dissolved by the Crown without the sitting of the other chamber being disturbed. but in case of dissolution new elections must be held within forty days and the chambers convoked within two months. Ordinarily both chambers meet at least once a year, and may be summoned ill extraordinary session by the Crown. The presid
ing officer of each chamber is appointed by the Crown, hut minor officers are eleeted by the chambers respectively. The Upper Chamber has no power of initiating legislative measures. its authority being confined to the simple approval or rejection in foto of hills sent to it from the Lower Chamber. The Lower Chamber has the special power of appointing commissions of in quiry: it shares with the Crown the right of initiating legislative measures and may amend the hills presented by the Goverment; to it the Government must submit the annual budget; and it alone has the right to impeach the min isters before the I ligh Court at The Ilague.
The sovereign. who is declared to be inviolable and irresponsible, is required to take an oath to maintain the Constitution. the independence of the country. and the liberties and rights of the citizens, and to execute the laws. The powers of the Crown include the dissolution of the chambers. either jointly or separately; the declaration of War; the superior direc tion of foreign affairs: the negotiation of treaties with foreign powers subject to the approval of the chambers, when the cession or exchange of territory is involved. or when rights established by law are affected; the command of the army and navy, and the appoint ment of military officers; the superior direction of the eolonies; the general administration of the finances; the granting of pardons (bilt not : the fixing of salaries of pnblie of ficers except in ease of the judges; and the de cision of administrative eontliets between the provinces. The executive powers of the ('rows are exercised through ministers, one of whom must countersign every offleial net of the sover eign. and who thereby assumes the responsibility for it. The political responsibility of the min isters is to the Parliament, to each house of which they are entitled to have access whether members or not. and to speak. although not to vote unless they be members. Erich minister pre over a department of administration, of which there are at present eight. They are the Alinistries of Foreign Affairs; Interior; Finance; Justice; Colonies; Marine: War; and Public Works and Commerce. Each minister receives an animal salary of $5000. Besides the Cabinet there is a Council of State. presided over by the sovereign. and consulted by the Crown on a variety of important Matters of State adminis tration.