NETHERLANDS, THE. A monarchy of Europe.
The first constitution after its reconstruc tion as a kingdom was given in 1815. It has been revised, especially in 1848 and in 1887. It is a constitutional and hereditary mon archy.
The executive power consists of the Sovereign. He has the command of the army and navy, the control of the colonies and the right to create nobles, etc. The Council of State of which the mem bers are appointed by the Sovereign advises His Majesty. The Cabinet Ministers appointed by the Sovereign are responsible to the country. The First Chamber of the States-General consists of fifty members appointed by the Provincial Statee from the highest direct tax-payers and great func tionaries and persons of high rank. The. Second Chamber consists of one hundred members elected by the male electors of the country. The Provin cial States, elected by the male electors of the province, regulate the affairs of the province. The Parish Corporations, elected by the male electors of the 'parish, regulate the affairs of the parish. Justice is administered in the name of the Sov ereign. Religion is free. Taxes are decreed by the law.
The judiciary consists of: 1. The Court of the Canton, of which there are one hundred and six, each having its judge, who decides without appeal all cases of civil or commercial na ture in which the claim does not exceed 11. 50 ($20);
and all criminal cases, subject to appeal, where the penalty does not exceed II. 25 ($10). 2. The Arron dissement (or District) Court, of which there are twenty-three having from five to twenty-four judges each. The higher courts are: 3. The Court of Jus tice, of which there are five having from nine to twelve judges each, decides all appeals in civil, com mercial and criminal cases from the Arrondisse ment Court. 4."The High Court of Justice, which has fourteen to sixteen judges and decidee all cases• in which the Sovereign, or the Royal House, or the members of the States-General are the defendants; cases of appeal from the Courts of Justice ; all criminal cases in which high officials of the State are implicated ; and all cases outside the jurisdic tion of the lower courts.
The Netherlands law is based on the French law as introduced by Napoleon, and the earlier provin cial law, which le for the greater part of German origin.