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ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
(Republica Argentina.) Constitution and Government.
Argentina was discovered in 1508 by Juan Diaz de Solis and Vicente Yanez Pinzen. In 1535 Don Pedro de Mendoza was sent out by the King of Spain, and in that same year founded the town of Buenos Aires. On May 25, 1810, the population rose against the Spanish rule, and on July 9, 1816, Argentine independence was proclaimed. Between 1816 and 1852 was a period of anarchy, and in 1853 stable government was once more established.
The Constitution of the Argentine Republic bears date May 15, 1853, with modifications in 1860, 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 for nine years by a special body of electors in the capital, and by the legislatures in the provinces ; and the latter 158 members elected by the people. By the Constitution there should be one deputy for every 33, 000 inhabitants. According to the census of 1914 the rate is one deputy for every 49, 000 inhabitants. A deputy must be 25 years of age, and have 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 army and navy, and appoints to all civil, military, naval, 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 Vioi - President must be Roman Catholics, Argentine by birth, and cannot be re-elected, unless a period of six years intervenes.
President of the Republic. — Sefior Hipolito Irigoyen. Assumed office, October 12, 1916.
Pice- President. — Senor Dr. Benito Villanuevn.
The Ministry, appointed by and acting under the orders of the President, consists of eight Secretaries of State — namely, of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Finance, War, Justice and Public Instruction, Agriculture, Marine, and Public Works.
The President has a salary of 96,000 dollars paper, and 28,800 dollars paper for official expenses; the Vice-President 36,000 dollars paper as his salary, and 24,000 dollars for official expenses, and each of the eight ministers 39,600 dollars per annum.
