Originally these federal Councillors, when during their term elected to the National Council for the purpose of re-election to the Federal Council, took their seats in the former when it convened, and exercised all the functions of a member, yet concurrently holding their portfolios in the Federal Council for an unexpired term. This twofold service continued until their re-election for a new term took place, when they resigned their seats in the National Council, and resumed the single service of federal Councillors. It is related that one member of the Federal Council, some years since, only secured re-election by means of his own vote during his transition service as above described in the National Council. Of late years the exercise of these dual rights and privileges incident to this most singular condition of things, while not in violation of any law, has been regarded with disfavor, and the federal Councillors, during the few days of their membership triennially in the National Council, confine themselves to the privileges and rights that attach to a Councillor. The geographical assignment of the members of the Federal Council is well established by an unwritten law, which is faithfully observed; a well-established usage in the election of the Federal Council assigns one member to each of the Cantons of Bern, Vaud, Zurich, and Aargau, and St. Gallen or Thurgau, then one each to the Catholic and Italian Swiss. The constitutional inhibition of the choice of more than one member from the same Canton may be regarded as a restriction that limits the choice without any adequate counter-benefit; it may exclude from the government statesmen of high merit, and thus diminish the resources of the state. The members of the Federal Council can be and are continually re-elected, notwithstanding sharp antagonisms among themselves, and it may be between them and a majority in the Assembly. They also continue to discharge their administrative duties, whether the measures submitted by them are or are not sanctioned by the voters. The rejection of measures approved and proposed by them does not necessarily injure their position with the country. The Swiss distinguish between men and measures. They retain valued servants in their employment, even though they reject their advice. They retain in the service Councillors whose measures the voters nevertheless often refuse to sanction. Valuing the executive ability of these men, still they may constantly withhold assent from their suggestions.