sion. No taxes may be levied save by law. In
addition to its powers of a purely legislative character, the
States-General is authorized to investigate, either as separate
chambers or in joint session, the executive conduct of public
affairs.[738] Under stipulated conditions, the States-General, by a
two-thirds vote, and with the assent of the crown, may amend the
constitution.[739]

[Footnote 737: Art. 110. Ibid., II., 101.]

[Footnote 738: Art. 95. Ibid., II., 99.]

[Footnote 739: See p. 523.]

*582. Political Parties: Election of 1903.*--Since the middle of the
nineteenth century political preponderance has alternated irregularly
between two principal party groups. One of these is the Liberals,
representative especially of the commercial towns, and falling into
the two general categories of Moderates and Progressives. The other is
the Conservatives, consisting largely of orthodox Protestants,
especially the Calvinistic peasantry, and supported, as a rule, by the
Catholics. In more recent times the Socialists have made their
appearance as a distinct political element, but thus far they have
cast in their lot regularly with the Liberals. Between 1871 and 1888
the Liberals were in power continuously; and, after a brief interval
covered by a Conservative-Catholic ministry, they regained control and
kept it throughout the decade 1891-1901. In 1901 a coalition ministry
was created, under the premiership of the Conservative Dr. Kuyper.
This lasted until 1903.

In the spring of the year mentioned the lower house rejected an (p. 530)
important measure relating to higher education upon whose enactment
the Kuyper ministry was determined. The Chamber was dissolved and in
June elections were held. Prior to the elections the Chamber contained
58 Ministerialists and 42 anti-Ministerialists (Liberals and
Socialists). The opposition elements were far from united. The
Socialists insisted upon an immediate amendment of the constitution to
provide for universal suffrage; the Progressive Liberals favored only
the eventual adoption of such an amendment; the Moderate Liberals were
opposed to it altogether. None the less, the result of the elections
was to terminate the Conservative majority and to replace it by a
slender but indubitable Liberal majority of four. The Conservatives
carried 48 seats; the Liberals 45; and the Socialists 7. The Kuyper
ministry forthwith resigned.