Argentine Republic

Abstract

The Constitution of the Argentine Republic bears dale May 15, 1853, with modifications in 1866 and 1898. The executive power is left to a President, elected for six years by electors appointed by the fourteen provinces, equal to double the number of senators and deputies combined; while the legislative authority is vested in a National Congress, consisting of a Senate and a House of Deputies, the former numbering 30, two from the capital and from each province, elected by a special body of electors in the capital, and by the legislatures in tile provinces; and the latter 120 members elected by the people. By the Constitution there should be one deputy for every 33,000 inhabitants. A deputy must be 25 years of age, and nave been a citizen for four years. The deputies are elected for four years, but one-half of the House must retire every two years. Senators must be 30 years of age, have been citizens for six years. One-third of the Senate is renewed every three years. The two chambers meet annually from May 1 to September 30. The members of both the Senate and the House of Deputies each receive 18,000 pesos per annum A Vice-President, elected in the same manner and at the same time as the President, fills the office of Chairman of the Senate, but has otherwise no political power. The President is commander-in-chief of the troops, and appoints to all civil, military, and judicial offices, and has the right of presentation to bishoprics; he is responsible with the Ministry for the acts of the executive; both President and Vice-President must be Roman Catholics, Argentine by birth, and cannot be re-elected.