130 THE GOVERNMENT. 



of fifty-six members, one of whom is chosen for each 20,000 of the population, or a fraction of that 

 number not less than 10,000 ; and the latter consists of twenty individuals. Deputies are chosen 

 for three, senators for nine years one third of the latter vacating their seats with each new Con- 

 gress. Deputies are elected by direct vote. They must be entitled to the right of suffrage, and 

 possess an income of at least $500. No one can be elected to such post who was not born in Chile, 

 unless his naturalization took place six years before the election. This law gave rise to a some- 

 what interesting discussion in the Chamber, respecting the right of a deputy to a seat, he having 

 been born in England whilst his father was in that country in a diplomatic capacity. It was 

 eventually decided in his favor. Substitutes are chosen at the same time as the deputies, and 

 these are summoned in case of disability or continued absence of the latter. On the same day, a 

 number of electors equal to three times the number of deputies to which the province may be enti- 

 tled, are balloted for; and these, subsequently uniting in college, elect the senators to which 

 post none can be commissioned under 36 years of age, or who do not possess an annual income 

 of at least $2,000. The fact that candidates hold other commissions of honor and profit under 

 the government is not a disqualification, nor do they resign such commissions on assuming seats 

 in the legislature. Only those members of either house who reside without the capital receive 

 compensation ; and, as nearly all of both houses are citizens of Santiago, the government is at 

 no great expense on account of its legislators. In reality, there were but fifty-three deputies 

 during the session of 1851, the Minister of War and Marine (also a colonel in the army) being 

 representative for two provinces, the collector of customs at Valparaiso for two others, and a 

 third government employe for a like number. Fifty of these resided at Santiago; seventeen of 

 whom, and ten of the twenty senators, held offices of profit under government. Nearly all 

 the remainder were wealthy haciendados, or miners, and one a priest. Those who are paid for 

 legislative services, receive three dollars per diem and their travelling expenses ; but, as will 

 probably have been inferred, there are many deputies and substitutes who have never seen the 

 provinces they represent, government having forwarded their names to its officers prior to the 

 election, and caused the ballots to be cast accordingly. Where the intendentes, governors of 

 departments, all the civil employes under them, and every officer of the national guard, hold 

 office at the sole will of the President, and wealthy landholders have a common interest in being 

 on good terms with him, it is not difficult to perceive how such results are brought about. The 

 members of both houses are nominally inviolable for their opinions and votes ; nor can they 

 be arrested from the day of their election, unless "flagrante delicto." Every protection is 

 also given them in the initiation of charges. 



Each house has the right to decide respecting the seats of its members. The Chamber of 

 Deputies only can accuse ; the Senate only has authority to try offences against the state. Their 

 sessions are limited to the period between the 1st of June and 31st of August of each year ; but, 

 for extraordinary purposes, with consent of the Council of State, the President may convene them 

 at any time. There was no year of our residence without its extraordinary session ; the subjects 

 on which legislation was needed being specified in the precept which summoned the members. 

 No other matter can be acted on at these times. Jointly, the two houses have power to levy 

 taxes, contract debts, and appropriate funds ; to control the annual expenses of the administra- 

 tion, and military and naval forces ; to fix the weight and value of money ; to approve or reject a 

 declaration of war proposed by the President, or his resignation of office : they may confer on him 

 extraordinary powers ; create new provinces, or departments ; establish or suppress offices ; per- 

 mit the national troops to leave, or foreign troops to enter the republic; and permit portions of 

 the regular army to be quartered in the city when Congress is in session. Laws respecting 

 taxes must originate in the lower house; such as refer to changes of the constitution, only in 

 the Senate. Those passed by both houses, if disapproved by the President, must be returned 

 by him to the body with which it originated within fifteen days, or, if so many do not remain 

 of the session, then within the" first six days after Congress shall again assemble. If not 

 returned as prescribed, it becomes a law of the land. Should a law passed by Congress be 



