_Composed_ of the heads of the _The Cabinet_, or Inner Council,
executive departments. under the presidency of the Prime
Minister, consists of Ministers,
_Appointed_ by the President with the drawn from the ranks of the party in
advice and consent of the Senate. power and appointed by the Sovereign
on the advice of the Prime Minister.
_Salary._--Secretary of State,
$12,000; all other cabinet members,
twelve thousand dollars annually.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS _Members_ (As reconstituted in June,
1915) and their salaries.
_Department of State._--Has charge of
foreign affairs. _Prime Minister and First Lord
of the Treasury_ $25,000
_Treasury Department._--Has charge of
fiscal affairs. _Lord High Chancellor_ (and
$20,000 as speaker of the
_Department of War._--Has charge of House of Lords) 50,000
the Army and military affairs.
_Minister without Portfolio_ unpaid
_Department of Justice._--Has charge
of the legal affairs of the Govern- _Lord President of the Council_10,000
ment.
_Lord Privy Seal_ unpaid
_Post-office Department._--Has charge
of postal affairs. _First Lord of the Admiralty_ 22,500
_Navy Department._--Has charge of the _Secretaries of State:_
Navy and naval affairs. _Home Affairs_ 25,000
_Foreign Affairs_ 25,000
_Department of the Interior._--Has _Colonies_ 25,000
charge of domestic affairs, including _War_ 25,000
public lands, pensions, patents, _India_ 25,000
Bureau of Education, etc.
_Chancellor of the Exchequer_ 25,000
_Department of Agriculture._--Has
charge of agricultural affairs, in- _Minister of Munitions_ 25,000
cluding Weather Bureau, etc.
_Secretary for Scotland_ 10,000
_Department of Commerce and Labor._--
Has charge of domestic and foreign _Chief Secretary to the Lord
affairs, relating to commerce, trans- Lieutenant of Ireland_ 21,125
portation, Department of Labor, etc.
_Presidents of Committees of the
Council:_
_Board of Trade_ 25,000
_Local Government Board_ 25,000
_Board of Education_ 10,000
_First Commissioner of Works_ 10,000
_Attorney-General_ 35,000
_Board of Agriculture_ 10,000
_Relations to Parliament._--The Chief
of the Cabinet and of the Ministry is
called the Prime Minister or Premier.
He is the leader of the House of Par-
liament of which he is a member. He
dispenses the greater portion of the
patronage of the Crown. Other members
of the Cabinet are the leaders of
Parliament, shaping and directing the
business of the Houses.
_Tenure of Office._--Dependent upon _Tenure of Office._--Dependent upon
the will or favor of the President. the favor of the House of Commons;
for if not sustained, they must all
resign. When a Ministry resigns it is
the function of the sovereign to call
upon some statesman to form another
administration. There is no restric-
tion upon the Royal choice, but the
statesman usually selected is the
leader of the opposing party in one
of the two Houses.
_Powers and Duties._--As stated _Powers and Duties._--All real
above, but under the direction of the authority is with the Cabinet. The
President. executive government is nominally in
the Crown, but practically in the
Cabinet. The Ministers are at the
heads of the administrative depart-
ments. The Sovereign does not sit
with the Cabinet.
_Other Ministers._--The Ministry in-
cludes a number of minor posts whose
occupants have no seat in the
Cabinet.
=III. Congress.=--Consisting of both =III. Parliament.=--Parliament con-
the Senate and the House of Represen- sists of two Houses, the House of
tatives as co-ordinate bodies. Lords and the House of Commons. The
Sovereign alone has the power of sum-
_Duration._--The term of each moning or proroguing or dissolving
Congress is for two years, commencing Parliament, and gives the Royal
March 4th of the odd years. Assent to measures which have passed
both Houses. Unless it be dissolved
_Regular Sessions._--Annual, begin- by the Crown, Parliament exists five
ning the first Monday in December. years from the date on which it was
first to meet. The demise of the
_Special Sessions._--At the call of Crown does not dissolve Parliament,
the President. but, on the contrary, renders an im-
mediate assembling of the two Houses
_Membership._--Each House is the necessary; and if there be no Parlia-
judge of the elections and qualifica- ment in existence, the old Parliament
tions of its own members. must reassemble, and may sit again
for six months, if it be not within
_Congress has General Powers of that time dissolved by the new
Legislation._--To provide for the Sovereign.
raising and disbursement of revenue.
To borrow money; to coin money and to All British dominions are subject
regulate its value; and to fix the (except as regards taxation) to the
standard of weights and measures. To legislation of the British Parlia-
regulate foreign and interstate com- ment; but no Act of Parliament af-
merce. To declare war, and to main- fects a colony unless that colony is
tain an army and navy. To establish specially mentioned. If the legis-
post-offices and post roads. To enact lature of a colony enacts a law which
patent and copyright laws. To enact is repugnant to an imperial law af-
uniform naturalization and bankruptcy fecting the colony, it is to the ex-
laws. To provide for the punishment tent to which it is repugnant abso-
of crimes against the United States. lutely void.
To establish courts inferior to the
Supreme Court. To provide for orga-
nizing and calling out the militia.
To admit new States into the Union.
To provide for the governments of the
Territories. To exercise exclusive
jurisdiction over the District of
Columbia, public lands, public build-
ings, forts, and navy yards. To enact
all laws necessary and proper for
carrying into execution all the
powers vested by the Constitution in
the government of the United States.
_THE SENATE._--Composed of two _THE HOUSE OF LORDS._--The House at
Senators from each State (ninety-six present consists of three Princes of
in 1917), chosen by popular vote for the Blood, two Archbishops, twenty-
six years, one-third retiring every one Dukes, twenty-six Marquesses, one
two years. hundred and twenty-one Earls, forty-
six Viscounts, twenty-four Bishops,
three hundred and fifty-six Barons,
sixteen Scottish Representative Peers
elected for each Parliament, and
twenty-seven Irish Representative
Peers elected for life. The members
hold their seats by virtue of heredi-
tary title; by creation of the
Sovereign; by virtue of office
(English bishops); by election for
life (Irish peers); by election for
duration of Parliament (Scottish
peers).
_Qualifications._--Must be at least _Qualifications._--Must be at least
thirty years of age, must have been a twenty-one years of age.
citizen of the United States for nine
years, and must be an inhabitant of
the State which he represents.
_Remuneration._--Members receive _Remuneration._--Receive no pay.
seven thousand five hundred dollars,
with mileage.
_Organization._--The Vice-President _Organization_--_Quorum._--Three, in-
of the United States is the Presi- cluding the Lord Chancellor; thirty
dent of the Senate. Is elected by the for final vote on a bill. The Lord
Electoral College. Votes only in case Chancellor, who is a member of the
of a tie. Cabinet, presides. He is appointed by
mere delivery of the Great Seal to
_Quorum._--A majority of members. him by the Sovereign and is principal
legal adviser of the Crown. His
patronage is very extensive. He
nominates the puisne judges and
county court judges; the holder of
the office may not be a Roman Catho-
lic.
_Committees._--Members are divided _Committees._--Special committees are
into standing committees, chosen by appointed to make investigations, and
the Senate itself, which act in the report on matters which could not be
preliminary examination, and shaping undertaken by the whole House.
of measures to be voted on.
_Powers and Duties._--In concurrence _Powers and Duties._--In concurrence
with the House of Representatives, it with the House of Commons, makes the
makes the laws. It also has power to laws, having a revising power over
confirm or reject all appointments to all bills proposed by the House of
office by the President of the United Commons, except those relating to
States, and all treaties. The members public revenue and expenditure, which
constitute a high court for the trial it must pass or reject without amend-
of impeachments. Elects Vice-Presi- ment.
dent of the United States if regular
election fails. It is the highest appellate court of
the United Kingdom. It may in certain
cases try members of its own body; it
tries any person who may be impeached
by the House of Commons, and it also
decides claims to the peerage.
_HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES._-- _HOUSE OF COMMONS._--This body
Composed (in 1917) of four hundred consists of six hundred and seventy
and thirty-five members elected every elected members representing county,
second year for two years by the borough, and university constituen-
people of the States in the propor- cies. Roughly speaking, about one-
tion of one Representative for every sixth of the population are electors.
211,877 inhabitants. Each State, how-
ever, is entitled to at least one mem-
ber, whatever its population.
_Qualifications._--Must be at _Qualifications._--Must be at
least twenty-five years of age, must least twenty-one years of age.
have been seven years a citizen of Clergymen are disqualified from sit-
the United States, and must be an in- ting as members, also English and
habitant of the State from which he Scottish peers, government contrac-
is chosen. tors, and sheriffs and returning
officers for the localities for which
they act.
_Organization_--_Quorum._--A majority _Organization_--_Quorum._--Forty mem-
of members. Elects its own presiding bers, including the Speaker. Elects
officer, who is called the Speaker, its own presiding officer, who is
salary twelve thousand dollars per called the Speaker, who has a resi-
year. dence in the Palace of Westminster,
and receives a salary of $25,000 per
annum.
_Remuneration._--Members receive _Remuneration._--$2,000 per year
seven thousand five hundred dollars (since 1911).
and mileage.
_Powers of the House of Representa- _Powers and Duties._--May originate
tives._--Elects its Speaker (pre- and, in concurrence with the House of
siding officer) and its other offi- Lords, pass resolutions and bills;
cers. Elects President of the United but bills relating to the imposition
States if the regular election fails. of taxes and the granting of supplies
Prosecutes impeachments before the for the service of the State must be
Senate. Originates all bills for originated in the House of Commons.
raising revenue.
_Committees._--Almost all the acts of _Committees._--The business of the
the House are under the control of House is almost entirely under the
Standing Committees, appointed by the direction of the Ministry; however,
Speaker. commissions and select committees are
from time to time appointed to make
investigations and report on matters
which could not be undertaken by the
House.
=IV. The Judicial Department.= =IV. Judicial Departments=, or Courts
of Law.
JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS
_Privy Council._--The Judicial Com-
_Appointed_ by the President with the mittee of the Privy Council (which
advice and consent of the Senate. hears appeals from Colonial and
Indian Courts, and also from Ecclesi-
_Tenure of Office._--During life or astical Courts) consists of the Lord
good behavior; but may retire on full Chancellor, Lord President, ex-Lords
salary after reaching the age of President, the Lords of Appeal in
seventy years, and after ten years’ Ordinary, and such other members of
service on the bench. the Privy Council as shall from time
to time hold or have held “high judi-
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED cial office.” No dissenting judgments
STATES are allowed, but the Judicial Commit-
tee can grant special leave to
_Members._--A Chief Justice and Eight appeal.
Associate Justices.
The English courts of law having
_Salaries._--Chief Justice, fifteen jurisdiction in actions between
thousand dollars; Associate Justices, parties are:
each fourteen thousand five hundred
dollars. HOUSE OF LORDS
_Terms of Court._--One each year, be- _Lord High Chancellor_ and such peers
ginning on the second Monday in of Parliament as are holding or have
October. held high judicial office. This is
the ultimate Court of Appeal from all
_Original Jurisdiction._--In all the courts in the United Kingdom.
cases affecting Ambassadors,
Ministers, and Consuls. In all cases
in which a State is a party.
_Appellate Jurisdiction._--In cases
of law and equity where the Inferior
Courts have original jurisdiction,
with such exceptions and regulations
as Congress has made.
_The Chief Justice._--Presides over
the Senate when it sits as a Court of
Impeachmenet for the trial of the
President.
INFERIOR COURTS There are two Courts of Appeal below
these divisions:
_Jurisdiction._--In cases between
citizens of different States. In _Lords of Appeal in Ordinary._-- Con-
cases in which the United States is sisting of six Justices.
a party. In cases of admiralty and
maritime jurisdiction. In trials for _Court of Appeal._--Ex-Officio
crimes against the United States; but Judges, the Lord High Chancellor, the
the trial of crimes must be by jury, Lord Chief Justice of England, the
and must be held in the State where Master of the Rolls, and the President
the crime was committed. of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty
Division.
_Appeals to the Supreme Court_ may be
had in all cases of law and equity, _The High Court_ comprises the King’s
with such exceptions and regulations Bench, Chancery, and Probate, Divorce
as Congress has made. and Admiralty Divisions.
KINDS OF INFERIOR COURTS _High Court of Justice, Chancery Di-
vision._--(Administration of trusts,
_United States Circuit Courts of company cases, mortgages, patents,
Appeals._--Organized in 1891 to re- etc.). Consists of the Lord High
lieve the United States Supreme Court Chancellor and six other Justices.
in Appellate Cases. Number: One in
each Judicial Circuit. Members: Three _High Court of Justice, King’s Bench
judges selected from the District Division._--(Contracts, torts, bank-
Courts. ruptcy, etc.). Consists of the Lord
Chief Justice of England and fifteen
_Number._--One in each Judicial other Justices.
Circuit.
_High Court of Justice, Probate, Di-
_Members._--Three judges selected vorce and Admiralty Division._--
from the District Courts. (Wills, matrimonial cases, and mari-
time cases). Consists of two
_United States Circuit Courts._-- Justices.
_Number of Circuits._--Nine. _Court of Criminal Appeal._--All the
Judges of King’s Bench Division.
_Number of Judges._--Each Circuit has
two, three, or four Circuit Judges, _Court of Arches._--An ecclesiastical
and a Justice of the Supreme Court is court unites the powers of the _jus
assigned to each Circuit. The canonicum_ with new powers conceded
District Judge also may sit in a Cir- by the Church Discipline Act, 1841,
cuit Court. and the similar statute of 1874,
exercising authority in both pro-
_Salary of Circuit Judges._--Fixed by vinces. The Judicial Committee of
law at seven thousand dollars per Privy Council is the Court of Final
year. Appeal in ecclesiastical causes.
_United States District Courts._-- _Bankruptcy Court._--Consisting of
one Justice.
_Number of Districts._--One or more
in each State. At present there are
seventy-three Judicial Districts.
_Salary of District Judge._--Fixed by
law at seven thousand dollars per
year.
_United States Court of Claims._--
_Jurisdiction._--Claims against the
United States, including all claims
which may be referred to it by
Congress.
_Members._--One Chief Justice and
four Associate Justices.
_Salaries._--Chief Justice, six
thousand five hundred dollars;
Associate Justices, each six thousand
dollars.
In addition to the above named
courts, Congress has established
courts of local jurisdiction in the
District of Columbia and in the
Territories.
=GERMANY= =FRANCE=
_Form of Government._--The Empire, _Form of Government._--France, since
according to the Constitution of the overthrow of Napoleon III., in
April 16, 1871, is a Confederate 1870, has been a republic governed by
League, bearing the name German Em- a President and two Chambers under
pire, under the hereditary presi- the Constitution.
dentship of the King of Prussia, who
holds the title of German Emperor,
and whose eldest son is styled His
Imperial and Royal Highness.
=I. Constitution.= =I. Constitution.=
_Adoption._--Present Constitution _Adoption._--Present Constitution
adopted April 16, 1871. The Constitu- adopted February 25, 1875. It has
tion of the German Empire is sub- undergone but slight modifications.
stantially that of the North German The present French Constitution re-
Confederation, which came into force mains a mixture of monarchical and
in 1867, and which was adopted by the republican institutions, and it has
Empire in 1871, after the southern fully maintained its strong and old-
states of Germany had combined with established centralization. The
the northern. Constitution of 1875 is based on uni-
versal suffrage. It was revised in
1875, 1884, 1885 and 1889.
_Amendments._--Amendments to the _Amendments._--Whenever the two
Constitution can be proposed by Houses agree that revision is neces-
either of the legislative bodies, are sary, and also agree upon particular
passed by ordinary legislative pro- points that should be revised, the
cess, requiring for their passage a National Assembly, composed of the
majority simply of the votes of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies,
Reichstag, but they fail if fourteen sitting as one body, convenes at Ver-
votes are cast against them in the sailles, and acts upon the amendments
Bundesrath. proposed, the vote of an absolute
majority being decisive. The National
Assembly also elects the President of
the republic.
=II. Chief magistrate=, styled the =II. Chief Magistrate=, or President
Deutscher Kaiser. of the Republic.
_How Designated._--The election of _Term of Office._--Elected for seven
Wilhelm I., King of Prussia, as years by the National Assembly, and
German Emperor (1871) was by vote of is re-eligible.
the Reichstag of the North German
Confederation, on the initiative of The National Assembly meets for the
all the reigning Princes of Germany. purposes of this election, as for the
The Imperial dignity is hereditary revision of the Constitution, at Ver-
in the House of Hohenzollern, and sailles. The revision of the Consti-
follows the law of primogeniture in tution and the election of President
the male line. He must be occupant of are its only functions.
the throne of Prussia under the pro-
visions of Prussian law. _Qualifications._--Must be a citizen,
not a member of any family which has
_Term of Office._--Holds office for occupied the throne of France.
life,and cannot be removed.
_Salary or Income._--Royal Civil List _Salary._--$140,000.
of Emperor, $3,700,000.
_Responsibilities._--May be impeached
by the Chamber of Deputies, and tried
by the Senate, in case of high
treason.
_Powers and Duties._--Commander-in- _Powers and Duties._--Has command of
Chief of the imperial army. the army and navy.
Summons, opens, adjourns, and closes May convene the Chambers on extraordi-
the two Houses. He may dissolve the nary occasions.
Reichstag upon advice of the Bundes-
rath. May adjourn the Chambers at any time
for a period not exceeding one month.
All measures passed by the Bundes- Can close a regular session of the
rath are presented to the Reichstag Chambers at his discretion after it
in the name of the Emperor. has continued five months; an extra
session when he pleases. Can with the
Bills passed by the two Houses must consent of the Senate dissolve the
be promulgated by the Emperor. Chamber of Deputies even before the
expiration of five months. This puts
In cases where he regards them as in- an end to the session of the Senate
volving a change in the Constitution, also, but not to its life. The Presi-
he need not promulgate them if four- dent must order a new election in
teen votes have been cast against case of dissolution.
them in the Bundesrath.
At the commencement of a new session
All official acts of the Emperor re- of the Chambers the President of the
quire the counter-signature of the republic sends a message, which is
Chancellor. read by one of the Ministers.
Appoints and may, at his pleasure, Bills passed by the Chambers must be
remove the Imperial Chancellor. Ap- signed by the President, and counter-
points and may, with the counter- signed by one of his Ministers.
signature of the Chancellor, remove
all minor officers in the imperial Has no veto power, but is authorized
service. to demand a reconsideration of any
measure by the Chambers.
May declare war if defensive, and
make treaties and peace; but for de- Has power to appoint and remove all
claring offensive war the consent of officers of the public service, sub-
the Bundesrath must be obtained. ject to the counter-signature of the
Minister whose department is affected
Has power to grant pardons. in each case.
May make treaties of peace, alliance
and commerce, but cannot declare war
without the advice of the Chambers.
Has power to grant pardons.
_Succession._--In case of his death,
resignation, or removal, the Council
of Ministers act until the National
Assembly can meet and elect a new
President.