*583. The Political Situation Since 1909.*--The period from June, 1905,
to December, 1907, was covered by the two successive Liberal
ministries of Borgesius and De Meester. Each was essentially
colorless. Efforts to bring about an extension of the suffrage failed,
and during 1907 the Liberal majority virtually disappeared. The upshot
was that, February 8, 1908, there was created a new ministry, under
Dr. Heemskerk, whose members were drawn from the Conservatives. At the
general election of June 11, 1909, the Conservatives recovered
supremacy completely. Following the grouping which prevails at the
present day, the results of this election were as follows: (1)
Anti-Revolutionaries (largely rural Calvinists), 23 members; (2)
Historic Christians, 12; (3) Roman Catholics, 25--a total Conservative
quota of 60; (4) Free Liberals, 4; Union Liberals, 21; Liberal
Democrats, 8; Socialists, 7--a total Liberal contingent of 40.
Furthermore, while the Conservatives were compactly organized, the
Liberals were divided hopelessly among themselves and quite unable to
offer substantial resistance to their opponents. With a majority of 20
in the lower chamber and of 19 in the upper, with a popular vote in
excess by 80,000 of that of the Liberals, and with a ministry in
office which, if not brilliant, was at least popular, the
Conservatives came off from the campaign in a position to maintain
through an extended period, so far as may be foreseen, their control
of public affairs. Quite the contrary of the contemporary situation in
Belgium, the rifts which separate the various Liberal groups tend in
Holland to deepen, and the political impotence of Liberalism
consequently to be accentuated.[740]

[Footnote 740: On Dutch political parties see P.
Verschave, La Hollande politique; le role des
catholiques neerlandais depuis dix ans, in _Le
Correspondant_, April 10, 1908; Les elections
generales et la situation politique aux pays-bas:
l'organisation de la campagne electorale, ibid.,
Nov. 25, 1909; and La Hollande politique; un parti
catholique en pays protestant (Paris, 1910).]

IV. THE JUDICIARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (p. 531)

*584. Judicial Principles.*--The constitution guarantees various
fundamental personal rights, including those of petition, assembly,
free