ADMINISTEATIOX OP ARGENTINA. 



475 



Fii^. 187. — Tereitoeial Divisions of Aegentina. 

 Scale 1 : 31,000,000. 



The national Congress, seated at Buenos Ayres, official capital of the Con- 

 federation, comprises two elected bodies. The Chamber of Deputies consists of 

 representatives directly named by the inhabitants of the provinces and of the 

 capital, in the proportion of one for every 20,000 or fraction of 20,000 above 

 10,000 of the population, and elected for four years. 



The Senate, modelled on that of the United States, comprises two members for 

 each province and two for 

 Buenos Ayres, nominated 

 for nine years and, like the 

 deputies, re-eligible. In 

 the provinces the senators 

 are elected by a majority 

 of the local legislatures ; 

 in Buenos Ayres by a junta 

 of electors chosen in the 

 second degree. The vice- 

 president of the Confede- 

 ration is cx-officio president 

 of the Senate. The elec- 

 tions rarely express the real 

 will of the people. Usually 

 the influential classes as- 

 semble their clients, dis- 

 tribute the voting tickets, 

 and lead them in battalions 

 to the booths. 



Both the president and 

 the vice-president are 

 chosen by a special body of 

 electors for a term of six. 

 years. The president, who 

 possesses the same sove- 

 reign powers as in the 

 United States, is assisted 

 by five ministers for the 

 interior, foreign affairs, 

 finance, public worship 

 and education, war and 

 navy. The president and the vice-president may both assist at the deliberations 

 of Congress and take part in the debates, but cannot vote. 



The Judiciary power of the Confederation is exercised by a Supreme Court 

 of Justice, comprising nine judges and two procurators fiscal resident in the 

 capital. In principle they hold office for Hfe, "except in case of proved 

 un worthiness." 



620 Miles. 



