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STATE ADMINISTRATION.
217
head of each, while a bailiwick is divided into a number of Constable wicks
(länsmansdistrikt) under a Constable. In the bailiwick alongside of the
bailiff, there is a District Clerk (häradsskrivare), charged with the special
duty of drawing up the assessment-rolls for rates and taxes. The total
number of bailiwicks in Sweden is 117, of constablewicks, 518, with a
population averaging 35 300 and 8 000 respectively. South of the Dalälven
a bailiwick comprises, on the average, 1 6-15 sq. km and the constablewick
420 sq. km; but in the northern läns the area of both is much greater.
In the City of Stockholm the High Governor is assisted by a
Deputy-Governor, who takes his place in the event of his death or absence.
The business falling within the scope of this office is allotted to three
departments: for secretarial work (under a Chief Clerk), for the collection
of taxes (under a Chief Accountant), for matters of police (under a
Superintendent of Police and a Police Magistrate). The Magistracy in
Stockholm, as in the other towns, consists of the Mayor and Aldermen,
there being this difference, however, that the latter are appointed in the
capital by the method as is applied solely to the Mayors of other towns
(see above).
The chief functions of the county-administrations are the maintenance
of order and the collection of taxes, especially of the direct taxes. By
their side, and to some extent cooperating with them, there also exist, as
has been mentioned above, local executives for special purposes (Customs,
Post Office etc.), subordinate to the central boards.
State Officials in Sweden enjoy an unusually independent position,
which is unaffected by political fluctuations and also by the possible
caprices of superiors. All judges, and most of the other officials too, are
irremoveable: that is to say, they cannot be removed from their posts
except after inquiry and sentence upon misconduct, nor can they be moved
from one locality or post to another, except by their own consent.
Ministers, 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, when
he considers it necessary in the interests of the Kingdom; but the case
must always come before the Cabinet. Instances of such dismissal have
occurred, it is true, but they are very few in number. — On the attainment
of a fixed age, usually 67, 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 oontrol. 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 (revisorer) annually appointed by the Riksdag.
Shortcomings in the exercise of their duties on the part of judges and
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