132 THE GOVERNMENT. 



rent that each party was making an effort to win one from the opposite side, and, after the choice 

 of a ministerial President, the audience watched with no little interest, from day to day, for 

 some vote, or expression of opinion, to indicate the success which no one doubted. Although 

 the administration soon obtained a majority, the session was spun out in talk, or, at least, 

 without acting on many of the measures recommended by the President, there being still a suffi- 

 cient number in opposition to stave off a on somewhat. Meanwhile, there was a socialist 

 club, (of whose doings at Santiago, and in the neighboring province of Aconcagua, an account is 

 given in the sequel,) which furnished nominal excuse for strong measures ; and within two 

 months from the time that Congress adjourned by limitation, both provinces were placed under 

 martial law, and seven of the strongest deputies in the opposition party were sent out of the 

 way. One, a colonel of artillery, was despatched to examine localities suitable for military 

 defences ; a second, the collector of customs at Valparaiso, was sent to investigate custom-house 

 affairs at Valdivia ; the third, a clerk in one of the ministerial bureaus, was pronounced in 

 delicate health, and leave granted him to travel in Atacama for its restoration; and the others, 

 not being in government employ and thus controllable, were directly banished. These being 

 absent, Congress was convened in extraordinary session just before the state of siege expired, 

 and all the measures of the administration were briefly and satisfactorily passed. 



The Senate occupy a room in the old consulado, similar in arrangement, and very like in 

 size, to the hall of the deputies. Its walls being windowless, during the day it is lighted only 

 through the doors and a handsomely stained window in the ceiling. As the sessions of this 

 body are always at night, and the temperature at that period is grateful even in summer, there 

 is ample ventilation, and the absence of other windows is of no consequence. The furniture 

 of the room is richer than that of the hall of the deputies ; and, from the greater age and 

 graver appearance of its individual members, the aspect of the assembled body is more im- 

 posing. But, as in the co-ordinate branch, there is no forensic display, and no stranger cares 

 to be a frequent visitor. 



Ordinarily, the sessions of the two chambers are held on alternate days perhaps to accommo- 

 date the ministers, who must be present, to answer questions or to defend measures ; perhaps, 

 because they are so little loquacious, that if the sessions were daily, they would soon meet only 

 to adjourn again. Neither house often passes more than two or three hours at a time in session ; 

 and even during these brief periods, the Senate invariably takes a recess of fifteen or twenty 

 minutes, in order that its members may have a smoke in the ante-room. 



On the day before the close of the ordinary session, seven members aro elected from its num- 

 ber by the Senate, to compose the conservative commission, whose functions continue until the 

 next regular meeting. Their duties are to watch that the constitution and laws be observed; 

 to make to the President such representations on the subject as they may deem proper, and to 

 refuse their sanction or consent to such of his contemplated acts as are not provided for by fun- 

 damental law. 



These guards and checks by the legislature, theoretically leave little power in the hands of 

 the Executive ; practically its working is quite different. In accordance with the letter of the 

 Constitution, the President must have been born within the republic, and be at least thirty years 

 of age at the time of his election. The term for which he is chosen is five years ; and, as there 

 is no prohibition to the contrary, he may be re-elected for any following periods of like length, 

 provided five years have elapsed between the second and third terms. To the present time, the 

 nation has followed the example of the United States, and will not extend the period of office 

 beyond two terms. As with us, the President is chosen by electors, who are selected by direct 

 vote of the people. On the 25th day of June, of the year in which the presidency expires, 

 three electors are appointed for each representative to which the department is entitled, and on 

 the 25th of the following month the electors of each province assemble at its capital to cast 

 their votes. One copy of the vote of each college is filed in the municipal archives of the pro- 

 vincial capital, and another is sent to the Senate, which body is required to preserve the seals 



