Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - First part - III. Constitution and Administration - 2. State Administration - Historical Account and the present State Administration in general, by E. Söderberg, Ph. D., First Actuary at the Royal Central Bureau of Statistics, Stockholm
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
196
iii. CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION Of SWEDEN.
3,817 sq. kilom., of the latter, 862 sq. kilom, (a sq. km. = 0"SS6 sq. mile);
the corresponding figures for population reading 34,000 and upwards, 7,700 and
upwards, respectively.
In the City of Stockholm the business falling within the scope of the High
Governors’ authority is allotted to three departments: for secretarial work, for
the collection of taxes, for constabulary — each under a Chief Clerk. The
Magistrate in Stockholm, as in other towns, consists of the Mayor and Aldermen,
there being this difference, however, that the latter are appointed in the capital
by the same method as is applied solely to the Mayors of other towns (see above).
Public Officials of the State in Sweden enjoy a large share of
independence, their positions being secure, irrespective of the fluctuations
of political opinions and parties and also of the possible caprices of
superiors. All judges, and most of the other officials too, are exempt
from removal from their posts, no dismissal being possible unless after
inquiry and sentence upon misconduct, nor can they be removed from
one locality or post to another, unless by their own consent. Ministers
of the Crown, Under Secretaries of State, most of the heads of central
boards of administration, etc., officials in the Foreign office, and officers
in the army of high rank, including even commanders of regiments
and corps, are the only officials who can be dismissed by the King;
the case must, however, always come before the Cabinet. Instances of
such dismissal have occurred, indeed, but they are very few in number.
— On the attainment of a fixed age, usually 65, a public official is
bound to retire from service, but is entitled to a pension.
Though a public official in Sweden enjoys a large measure of
independence, yet his work is subjected to control. For a very long time
provisions have existed for a careful inquiry to be held into the
disposition of public money. This inquiry is conducted on the one hand —
and in detail — by the Audit Court (Kammarrätten) in Stockholm,
and on the other by the Auditors that the Riksdag annually appoints.
Shortcomings in the exercise of their duties on the part of judges and
other officials are dealt with by one of two officials: the Attorney
General, an officer of state appointed by the King, and the
Solicitor General of the Riksdag, appointed annually by Parliament. For
the prevention, moreover, of evil practices on the part of public
servants the press is a very powerful agent. Its unrestricted liberty is
ensured it by a fundamental law ad hoc.
In the filling up of vacant posts, merit and ability are to be the sole
grounds to be considered; in appointing to the subordinate posts, attention is
generally paid to the number of years’ service the several candidates have to
show. With the exception of the lowest offices, it is generally requisite to have
obtained university degrees or else ordinarily to have passed the university
entrance examination to obtain entry into the state employ. Officials are, a
great part of them, appointed by the King in the Cabinet, subsequent (save in
the case of higher officials) to application, in due form as soon as the post has
been officially declared vacant. The remuneration received is usually apportioned
partly as salary proper and partly as payment for time of service, the latter
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
