Appenzell, Pure Democracy and Pastoral Life in Inner-Rhoden; A Swiss Study (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 Excerpt: ...domain of civil affairs the laws for the most part are written and are fairly comprehensive. They are strongly supplemented, however, by Federal statutes, such as those concerning collection of debts, the obligations of contracts, and marriage and divorce. Some of the cantonal written laws are of interest on account of their singular features. For example, in carrying out the Federal statute regarding debts, there is a rule that a bankrupt shall forfeit his political privileges for from one to three years unless he can show himself blameless. And he is not blameless if he has kept no books, or kept his books in a way not readily comprehensible; or if he has become bankrupt from recklessness, laziness, or from exceeding his income in drinking or gaming. Mortgages are permitted only upon realestate; all must be approved by the Landamman, and none may exceed in amount a certain fraction of the appraised value of the property pledged. There are several different kinds of mortgages recognised. Under one kind payment of the principal cannot be demanded by the lender, but can be made at any time by the borrower; under another kind--purchase-money mortgages--demand may be made at any time on six months' notice; and under a third kind--those maturing at a fixed date--payment can be demanded at maturity or within three months afterwards, otherwise six months' notice of demand must be given. If the amount of a mortgage exceeds two hundred dollars, the whole cannot be demanded in one payment. Partial payments must always be accepted, and the maximum rate of interest allowed is five per cent. Estates of the deceased can be divided among heirs or legatees in six weeks. Children inherit in equal shares. On the death of one parent, where there are children, the parent surv...