Friedrich Engels

No. 156, 30 November 1848
Neue Rheinische Zeitung.

Bern, 26 November. In yesterday’s joint session of the councils, not, as was the intention and stated purpose, both federal councillors, Druey and Franscini, were sworn in, but merely the former. Franscini had not arrived, the post over the Gotthard having failed entirely due to the heavy snow. The Bundesrat was further empowered to swear in those federal councillors and federal judges who arrive only after a possible adjournment of the two legislative councils. – Earlier, a session of the Ständerat had taken place to discuss the draft law on the federal seat adopted by the Nationalrat the day before yesterday. The question, already rendered difficult by the Nationalrat, was made even more difficult here. Fazy of Geneva moved that the federal seat be provisionally retained in Bern for one year, and that in the meantime a more detailed law be drawn up, which would also include the obligations to be imposed on the canton for the protection of the federal authorities. The question was taken much too lightly. The Swiss people, it was said, must also be given the opportunity to express its will beforehand. Briatte of Vaud, President of the Ständerat, supported this opinion. Other members proposed further amendments: The federal seat should be determined by vote in joint session; furthermore: the federal seat should rotate, after the manner of the former Vorort, but every six years, at least until the federal university is established, etc. The debate had to be interrupted because of the hour set for the joint session, and will be continued today. Rüttimann (Zurich) proposed that the draft, together with the amendments, be referred back to the committee. –

After the joint session, the Nationalrat remained assembled to discuss the draft law submitted by the Bundesrat on the taking over of all Swiss post offices by the Confederation from 1 January 1849, with the provisional retention of the administration by the individual cantons until the definitive regulation of the postal system, but with the authority for the federal power to alter the routes etc. etc. The draft was adopted on the spot with minor amendments by Druey and others. Today the Nationalrat is discussing the accountability law for the Swiss federal executive officials proposed by the radical Dr Emil Frei (Baselland), and, if time permits, the draft law on the establishment of a federal university proposed by Ochsenbein.

The Bundesrat, the executive authority, has already held several sessions. Provisionally, Furrer has taken on foreign affairs, Ochsenbein military affairs, Frei-Herose finances. The Swiss War Council has consequently been discharged with thanks. Furthermore, the Bundesrat has decided to announce its constitution to the cantons, the Swiss diplomatic agents abroad, and the foreign powers. Likewise, a complaint to the Reich government regarding the violation of territory in the Canton of Zurich, and at the same time the gathering of information from the cantons concerned about the conduct of the refugees and about the truth of the facts published by the Reich authority in the Ober-Post-Amts-Zeitung.