King Christian IX.]

[Footnote 790: One original text of this pledge
must be preserved in the archives of the crown,
another in those of the Rigsdag. Art. 7. Dodd,
Modern Constitutions, I., 267.]

The powers of the king are comprehensive. Within the limitations
prescribed by the constitution, he exercises "supreme authority over
all the affairs of the kingdom." He appoints to all offices, dismisses
from office, and transfers from one office to another. He declares war
and makes peace. He concludes and terminates treaties of alliance and
of commerce, on condition only that an agreement which involves a
cession of territory or a change of existing international relations
must receive the assent of the Rigsdag. He exercises the power of
pardon and of amnesty, save that without the consent of the Folkething
he may not relieve ministers of penalties arising from impeachment
proceedings. He grants such licenses and exemptions from the laws as
are authorized by statute. He convenes the Rigsdag in regular session
annually and in extraordinary session at will, adjourns it, and
dissolves either or both of the houses. He may submit to it projects
for consideration or drafts of laws, and his consent is necessary to
impart legal character to any of the measures which it enacts. He
orders the publication of statutes and sees that they are executed.
Finally, when the need is urgent and the Rigsdag is not in session, he
may promulgate ordinances, provided, first, that they are not contrary
to the constitution, and, second, that they are laid before the
Rigsdag at its ensuing meeting.

*616. The Ministry and the Parliamentary System.*--For the measures of
the government the king is not personally responsible. His powers are
exercised through ministers, who are appointed and may be removed by
him, and whose number and functions are left to his determination. The
ministries are nine in number, as follows: Foreign Affairs, (p. 561)
Interior, Justice, Finance, Commerce, Defense, Agriculture, Public
Works, and Public Instruction and Ecclesiastical Affairs. Collectively
the ministers form the Council of State, over which the king presides
and in which the heir to the throne, if of age, is entitled to a seat.
All laws and important public matters are apt normally to be discussed
in the Council of State. There is also, however, a Council of
Ministers, co