Netherlands

THE. A monarchy of Europe. The first constitution after its reconstruction as a kingdom was given in 1815. It has been revised, especially in 1848 and in 1887. It is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. The executive power consists of the Sovereign, lie 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 members aro 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-Cencral consists of fifty members appointed by the Provincial States from the highest direct tax-payers and great functionaries and persons of high rank. The Second Chamber consists of one hundred members elected by the male electors of the country. The Rrovxncial States, elected by the male electors of the province, regulate the affairs of the province. The Parish Corpoi ations, elected by the male electors of the parish, regulate the affairs of the parish. Justice la administered in the name of the Sovereign. Religion is free. Taxes are decreed by the law. The Judiciary consists of: 1. The Com t of the Canton, of which there arc one hundred and six, each having its Judge, who decides without appeal all cases of civil or commercial nature in which the claim does not exceed fl. 50 ($20); and all criminal cases, subject to appeal, where the penalty does not exceed fl. 25 ($10). 2. The Arron disscvicnt (or District) Court, of which there are twenty-three having from flvo to twenty-four judges each. The higher courts are: 3. The Court of Justice, of which there are five having from nine to twelve judges each, decides all appeals in civil, commercial and criminal cases from the Arromhssoment Court. 4. The High Court of Justice, which has fourteen to sixteen Judges and decides all cases in which the Sovereign, or the Royal House, or the members of the Statcs-General aro the defendants; cases of appeal from tlic Couits of Justue; all criminal co^es in which high officials of the State are implicated; and all cases outside the jurisdiction of the lower courts. The Netherlands law is based on the French law as introduced by Napoleon, and the earlier provincial law, which is for the greater part of German origin. •