Orange Free State

Abstract

The Republic known as the Orange Free State, founded originally by Boers who quitted Cape Colony in 1836 and following years, is separated from the Cape Colony by the Orange River, has British Basutoland and Natal on the east, the Transvaal on the north, and Transvaal and Griqualand West on the west. Its independence was declared on February 23, 1854, and a Constitution was proclaimed April 10, 1854, and revised February 9, 1866, and May 8, 1879. The legislative authority is vested in a popular Assembly, the Volksraad, of 57 members, elected by suffrage of the burghers (adult white males) for four years from every district, town, and ward, or field-cornetcy in the country districts. Every two years one-half of the members vacate their seats and an election takes place. The members of the Volksraad receive pay at the rate of 2l. per day. Eligible are burghers 25 years of age, owners of real property to the value of 500l. Voters must be white burghers by birth or naturalisation, be owners of real property of not less than 150l., or lessees of real property of an annual rental of 36l., or have a yearly income of not less than 200l., or be owners of personal property of the value of 300l., and have been in the State for not less than three years. The executive is vested in a President chosen for five years by universal suffrage, who is assisted by an Executive Council.