Feb. 1, 18S9.] 471 [Phillips, 



can go from Leopoldville almost to the Soudan, by the "Oubangi- 

 Ouelle," 



POLITICAL, JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION. 



The King is the absolute monarch, ruling without any check to or divi- 

 sion of his power. 



A decree of King Leopold, dated October 30, 1885, organized the Congo 

 Independent State into three departments, viz.: Foreign Atfairs (to which 

 is entrusted that of Justice), Finance and the Interior. An Adminis- 

 trator-General, named by the sovereign, presides over eacli of these de- 

 partments, who deliberate together over the affairs of the State, and 

 submit the results of their councils to the King for his approbation. The 

 departments have jurisdiction as follows : 



A. Foreign Affairs, which includes commerce, post-office, justice, 

 legislation, religion, etc., etc. 



B. Finances : 



(a.) All manner of taxes, duties and imposts; all regulations of terri- 

 tory. 



(6.) The general department of accounts and all matters relating to the 

 operations of the treasury, 



(c, ) The monetary system. 



C. Department of the Interior : 



Public instruction, police, hygiene, transportation in all its phases, 

 public roads, public armaments, etc, etc., 



The Governor-General of Congo rules under the directions of this Cen- 

 tral Council, assisted by an Inspector of State, a Secretary-General, and 

 many subordinate local assistants. 



The territory is divided into eleven districts, administered by a Commis- 

 sion, with one or more adjuncts. The districts are Banana, Boma, Mata- 

 di. Cataracts, Stanley -Pool, Kassai, Equator, Ubangi-Uelle, Aruwimi- 

 Uelle, Stanley Falls and Luluaba. 



LAW DEPARTMENT. 



Justice is administered by a tribunal of tlie first instance, and one of 

 appeal. 



The Appellate Court has its permanent seat at Boma ; the lower Court, 

 whose place is at Banana, may travel within its district, the Lower Congo, 

 up to Vivi and Matadi, 



Other tribunals have been erected at Leopoldville and Lukungu, 



The death penalty is abolished, except in the case of cold-blooded, de. 

 liberate murder, and voluntary homicide is punished by imprisonment 

 for life. 



