D16
GERMAN empire: — HESSE
The fonnci' Landgraves of Hesse had the title of Grand-duke j^iveii them by Napoleon I. in 1806 together with a considerable increase of territory. At the Congress of Vienna this grant was confirmed, after some negotiations. The reigning fainily are not^ possessed of much private property, but dependent almost entirely upon tlie grant of the civil list, amounting to 1,265,000 marks.
Constitution-— The Constitution bears date December 17, 1820; but was niodiiied in 1856, 1862, 1872, 1900 and 1911. The legislative power is vested in two Chambers, the tirst composed of the princes of the reigning family, the heads of a number of mediatised houses, the Koman Catholic bishop' the chief Protestant superintendent, a representative of the University, one of the Technische Hochschule, two members elected by the noble landowners, and twelve life-members, nominated by the Grand- duke, as well as one representative of commerce, agriculture and industry respectively ; while the second consists of fifteen deputies of the towns that have a special franchise, and forty-three representatives of the smaller towns and rural districts. Electors are Hessians above twenty-hve years ot age who pay direct taxes. Elections are direct and the voting is by bailor. The members of the Second Chamber are elected for six years, one-hali ot tiie number retiring every three years. The Chambers must meet every year. Members not hereditary of both Chambers who reside more than 1^ mile from the place of meeting, receive an allowance of 95. a day and '6s. for each night, and travelling expenses. ^ • i > • . ^i i
The executive is represented by a ministry ol State, divided into three de- partments, namely, of the Interior ; of Justice ; and of Finance. The minister of state is also minister of the Grand-ducal House and Foreign Affairs, and head of the department of Justice. i- -i i • ^ +i
For administrative purposes, the Grand-duchy is divided into tlirce provinces, eighteen circles (Kreise), and 983 communes (Gememden).
Area and Population
Sq. Miles
Population
1
Pop. per sq.
Provinces
1900
1905
1910
mile, 1910
Starkenburg
Upper Hesse (Oberhessen) Rhenish Hesse (Rheinhesseu) .
1,169
1,269
530
488,598 282,047 348,334
542,996 296,755 369,424
590,380 309,233 382,438
505 -0 243-7 721-6
Total
2,968
1,118,979
1,209,175
1,282,051
43'J-O
Increase from
There were 639,198 males and 642,853 females m 1910. 1905 to 1910 was at the rate of 1-20 per cent, per annum. , r- ^ n
The largest towns are Mayence or Mainz (including Mombach and Kastel), with 110,634; Darmstadt, the capital, 87,089 (including Bessungen) ; Offenbach (including Biirgel), 75,583 ; Worms, 46 819 (including Hochheim, Neuhausen uud Pfifliigheim), Giessen, 31,153 inhabitants, 1910.
Religion and Instruction.-^t the census of 1910 there were 848,004 Protestants, 397,549 Catholics, 6,707 of other Christian sects, 24,063 Jews, and 5,728 unclassified, or of no religion. The Grand-duke is head ot the Protestant Church, which is governed by a synod, and wdiose afi-nrs arc administered by a consistory (Obcrkonsistormm) ^.^^^\^';^^^^"V i . ./^ Church has a Bishop (at I^Iainz). The State contribution to the 1 rotestanl
