population of rural districts. All natives of Sweden, aged 21, possessing real property to the taxed value of 1,000 riksdalers—56 £.—or an annual income of 800 riksdalers—45 £.—are elector's; and all natives, aged 25, possessing the same qualifications, and making, moreover, public profession of the Protestant faith, may be elected for the Lower House of Parliament. The election is for the term of three years, and the members obtain salaries for their services, at the rate of 1,200 riksdalers—67 £.—for each session of four months, besides travelling expenses. The salaries and travelling expenses of the deputies are borne by the Government, as well as the cost of elections; and the expenditure of any money for the latter purpose by the parliamentary candidates is forbidden under heavy penalties. The vote is by ballot, both in town and country.
The two Houses of Parliament assemble every year, voting the budget for the same period. All the legislative measures are prepared in committees, appointed every session, immediately after meeting. The committees are five in number, namely, 1. The Constitutional Committee, which maintains a watch over all constitutional questions, and consists of ten members of each of the two Houses of Parliament; 2. The State Committee, which superintends the general State expenditure, and consists of twelve members of each House; 3. The Subsidy Committee, which is charged with the examination and settlement of all salaries, pensions, and allowances to public servants; 4. The Legislative Committee, which takes cognisance of matters connected with proposed alterations in civil, criminal, or ecclesiastical law; and 5. The Bank Committee, which superintends the affairs of the State Bank. Each Committee has the right of calling upon the ministers and other members of the Government for explanations, and of hearing witnesses in any cases before them; but the Constitutional Committee alone has power to indict the ministers and chief servants of the crown, for any acts contrary to the fundamental laws of the kingdom which they may have committed.
The Diet of the two Houses constitutes the chief legislative power in the kingdom. The executive is in the hands of the king, who acts under the advice of a Council of State, composed of ten members, seven of which are ministerial heads of departments, namely:—
1. The Department of Justice.—Axel Adlercreutz, Minister of the Interior, 1868–70; appointed Minister of State, June 3, 1870.
2. The Department of Foreign Affairs.—Count Carl Wachtmeister, appointed June 4, 1868.
3. The Department of Finance.—Carl Fredrik Woern, appointed June 3, 1870.
4. The Department of the Interior.—Per Axel Bergström, appointed June 3, 1870.
