]

*298. Wuerttemberg: Crown and Ministry.*--The constitution of the kingdom
of Wuerttemberg was promulgated, following prolonged political
controversy, September 25, 1819. At the head of the state is the king,
whose powers are in some respects even larger than those belonging to
other German sovereigns.[411] It is required that all political acts,
except the bestowing of titles of nobility, shall be performed only
with the sanction in writing of a minister; but, by reason of the
king's absolute control of the ministry, this constitutes no invasion
of the crown's essential prerogative. Of ministers there are six.
These collectively comprise the Ministry of State, and they, together
with certain appointive councillors, likewise constitute the
Geheimerrath, or Privy Council, which the sovereign consults at
pleasure.

[Footnote 411: The reigning sovereign is William
II.]

*299. The Assembly of Estates: Proportional Representation.*--The
legislative body of Wuerttemberg is known as the Standeversammlung, or
Assembly of Estates. The upper chamber,--the Standesherren, or House
of Lords,--consists of princes of the royal family; other princes,
under varying conditions; knights; ecclesiastical dignitaries; and
members appointed by the crown, in part according to stipulated
conditions and in part without reference to any necessary
consideration of birth, wealth, or religious affiliation. The
Abgeordnetenhaus, or House of Deputies, consists of ninety-two members
chosen for a term of six years, as follows: one from each of the
administrative divisions (Oberamtsbezirke); six from Stuttgart and one
from each of six other important towns; nine from the Neckar and Jagst
circle; and eight from the Black Forest and Danube circle. Election is
by direct and secret ballot, on a basis of universal suffrage for
males over twenty-five years of age. By constitutional amendment of
July 16, 1906, there was introduced a scheme of proportional
representation under which the six deputies of Stuttgart and the
seventeen of the Neckar and Jagst and the Black Forest and Danube
circles are distributed among the several political groups in
approximate proportion to the numerical strength attained by these
groups at the polls. This system, an innovation in Germany, was tested
in the elections of December, 1906, and January, 1907, and was by most
persons adjudged satisfactory.[412]

[Footnote 4