William Augustus Brevoort Coolidge

“ One thousand citizens have the right of " initiative " as to legislative projects and important financial matters as well as to the revision of the cantonal constitution. Since 1895 the " obligatory referendum " for all legislative projects has prevailed, as well as a curious institution (formerly existing in several cantons) by which the legislature can consult the people on certain questions involving principles and not merely on fully drafted legislative projects. ”

“ The taxes are very small, while the property of the canton is the most considerable in Switzerland, so that from a financial point of view Schaffhausen is the most favoured in the country, and till recently it had no public debt at all. The numerous forests are well managed and bring in much money. ”

“ The most important of these glens is that of the Klettgau, to the west of the chief town. There are only intermittent torrents in the canton, apart from the broad stream of the Rhine, which, about 11/2 m. below the town, forms the celebrated Falls of the Rhine (first mentioned about 1122) , which are rather rapids (only 60 ft. in height) than a cascade proper, though the mass of water is very great. ”