Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/197

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
LEGISLATIVE POWER.
173

vows; domestic servitude and fraudulent bankruptcy are among the disqualifications from these rights.

The legislative power resides in a chamber of deputies and a senate, forming a congress; the former composed of individuals elected by the different departments. A deputy must be over thirty years of age, and be possessed of an annual income of 1,200 dollars; and a division of this class is to be renewed every two years. Senators must possess an income of 2,000 dollars: the senate consisting of persons belonging to the classes of merchants, manufacturers, proprietors, miners, and agriculturists; and of individuals eminent in civil, military, or ecclesiastical professions: they must be chosen by the departments, and appointed by the president and council. A third of the senate must also be renewed every second year.

A permanent deputation, too, is created by the congress, whose duty it is to call supplementary sessions when required by government, and to accept the certificates of the various officers appointed by the nation. The regular sessions of congress are held twice a year—meeting in January and July, and sitting for the period of three months.