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, May 8, 1879, and May 11, 1898. The legislative authority is vested in a popular Assembly, the Volksraad, of 60 members, elected by suffrage of the burghers (adult white males) for four years from every district-town, and ward, or field-cornetcy. 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 five years. The executive is vested in a President chosen for five years by the registered voters, who is assisted by an Executive Council.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Statistical and other Books of Reference
Census van den Oranje-Vrijstaat, opgenomen op 31 Maart, 1890. Bloemfontein, 1891.
Brown (A. S. and G. G.). Guide to South Africa. London, 1897.
Johnston (Keith), Africa. London, 1884.
Noble (J.), Illustrated Official Handbook of the Cape and South Africa. Cape Town. Johannesburg, and London, 1893.
Norris-Newman (C. L.), With the Boers in the Transvaal and Orange Free State. London. 1882.
Sandeman (E. F.), Eight Months in an Ox-Wagon. London, 1880.
Stiver’s Handbook to South Africa. 4th Edition. London, 1891.
The Argus Annual and S. African Directory, 1897. Cape Town, 1896.
Trollope (Anthony), South Africa. 2 vols. London, 1878.
Weber (Ernest de), Quatre ans au pays des Boers. Paris 1882.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1899 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Keltie, J.S. (1899). Orange Free State. In: Keltie, J.S. (eds) The Statesman’s Year-Book. The Statesman’s Yearbook. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230270282_40
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230270282_40
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-27028-2
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)