Chile

Abstract

The Republic of Chile threw off allegiance to the Crown of Spain by the declaration of independence of September 18, 1810, finally freeing itself from the yoke of Spain in 1818. The Constitution, voted by the representatives of the nation in 1833, with a few subsequent amendments, establishes three powers in the State—the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative power is vested in the National Congress, consisting of two assemblies, called the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The Senate is composed of members, elected for the term of six years, in the proportion of one Senator for every three Deputies; while the Chamber of Deputies, composed of members chosen for a period of three years, consists of one representative for every 30,000 of the population, or a fraction not inferior to 15,000 (raised by law of August 9, 1888); both bodies are chosen by the same electors—the Chamber directly by departments, and the Senate directly by provinces. Electors must be 21 years of age, and can read and write. In 1887 there were 134,119 registered electors or 1 to 18 of the population. In the election of deputies in March 1888, 89, 977 citizens voted or 67 per cent. of those who had the right to vote.