550
PERU.
(Republica del Peru\)
Constitution and Government.
The republic of Peru, one of the oldest of Spanish colonies in America, issued its declaration of independence in 1821, after a war of eleven years. The present constitution, proclaimed Aug. 31, 18G7, is modelled on that of the United States, the legislative power being vested in a Senate and a House of Representatives, the former composed of deputies of the provinces, two for each, and the latter of representatives nominated by the electoral colleges of provinces and parishes, at the rate of one member for every 20,000 inha- bitants. The parochial electoral colleges choose deputies to the provincial colleges, who in turn send representatives to Congress. In the session of 1868, the Senate was composed of 36 members, and the House of Representatives of 86 members.
The executive power is entrusted to a president, assisted by a vice-president, both elected by the people for the term of five years.
President of the Republic. — Colonel Jose Balta, elected July 18; assumed office August 1, 1868.
The President has to exercise his executive functions through a cabinet of five ministers, holding office at his pleasure. The depart- ment are those of Foreign Affairs, of the Interior, of Justice, of Finance and Commerce, and of War and the Navy.
By the terms of the constitution of 1867, there exists absolute political, but not religious freedom, the charter prohibiting the pub- lic exercise of any other religion than the Roman Catholic, which is declared the religion of the state.
Revenue, Army, and Population.
The public revenue is mainly derived from the sale of guano, and but to a small extent from customs. Direct taxation does not exist. The actual receipts were as follows in each of the years 1861 and 1866:—
