Chile

Government.

35

Each Chamber has the exckisive right to determine the vaHdity ot the election of its members, and to accept or dechne the resignation of such members. The Chamber of Deputies is vested with exclusive authority to impeach before the Senate any member of the Cabinet or of the State council, Generals, Judges of the higher courts, members of the standing congressional committee or Intendentes of the Provinces.

The Senate

is

vested with the exclusive right to try

all

officers

impeached by the Chamber of Deputies, acting as a high Tribunal and to approve or reject all nominations made by the President for the ;

Archbishopric or Bishoprics.

Congress holds an ordinary session once a year, which begins on the first day of June and ends on the first day of September, and as many extraordinary sessions as the President of the Republic may •deem necessary or expedient.

Before Congress adjourns a standing committee is chosen, consisting of fourteen members, seven from the Chamber of Deputies and seven from the Senate. This committee acts as the representative of Congress during the time of its recess and must see to it that the Constitution is carefully observed and that the laws passed by Congress

The President of the Republic must consult matters of importance, which would otherwise "be referred to Congress, and the committee may request the. President to call a special session of Congress whenever, in its judgment, such action is necessary.

The functions of this committee cease on the 31st day of May of the following year and it must report to Congress at its first meeting. are properly enforced.

this

Committee on

all

Executive Power.

The Executive Power

is

vested in the President of the Republic,

who

head of the administration and the supreme chief of the Army -and Navy.

The President is chosen by Electors, who are elected by is the

direct vote of the people.

The number of Electors is equal to three times the total number of Deputies.

The President is elected for a term of five years, and cannot be re-elected for the next consecutive term. citizen born in Chile, being over 30 years of age, and possessing the necessary qualifications of a Deputy, is eligible for President.

During his term of office and for one year after the expiration of his term, the President may not leave the country, except with the consent of Congress.

Should the office of President become vacant through resignation, inability or death, or should the President assume the command of the troops, leave the country or otherwise be prevented to discharge the duties of his office, the Minister of the Interior, under the title of "Vice-President of the Republic" shall act as President until such

Any

all