r from one to five years. In more than half of the cantons
the members are chosen by popular vote; in the rest, they are elected
by the Greater Council, or legislature. By the Council of State (in a
few instances by the legislature) is chosen a chairman, or president,
known in the German cantons as the Landammann.[614] The office of
Landammann is one of dignity and honor, at least locally, but it (p. 422)
is not one of large authority. The Landammann is the chief spokesman
of the canton, but legally his status is scarcely superior to that of
his fellow councillors. The functions of the Council embrace the
execution of the laws, the preservation of order, the drawing up of
fiscal statements, the drafting of proposed legislation, the rendering
of decisions in cases on appeal, and, in general, the safeguarding of
the interests of the canton. For purposes of convenience the functions
of the Council are divided among departments, to each of which one of
the councillors is assigned. All acts, however, are performed in the
name of the Council as a whole. In those cantons which have
full-fledged legislative chambers councillors may attend sessions and
speak, though as a rule they may not vote.

[Footnote 614: In the Landesgemeinde cantons the
Landammann is elected by the primary assembly.]

*465. Local Administration.*--For purposes of administration all
cantons, save a few of the smaller ones, are divided into districts
(187 in the aggregate), at the head of each of which is placed a
prefect or Bezirksammann. This official, whether chosen by the Council
of State, by the Greater Council, or even by the people of the
district, is in every sense a representative of the cantonal
government. Sometimes he is assisted by a Bezirksrath, or district
council; frequently he is not. In Schwyz there is a Bezirksgemeinde,
or popular assembly, in each of the six districts, but this is wholly
exceptional.

Each canton is built up of communes, or Gemeinden, and these communes,
3,164 in number, comprise the most deeply rooted political units of
the country. Legally, each is composed of all male Swiss citizens over
twenty years of age resident within the communal bounds during a
period of at least three months. The meeting of these persons is known
as the Gemeindeversammlung, or the assemblee generale. By it are
chosen an executive council (the Gemeinderath or conseil municipal)
and a mayor (Gemeindepra