New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-30
MEXICAN S1A1BSMEN Al HOE.G,
"a THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES.

HOW THE LEGISLATIVE BDblNbpb Or linz NAHUM
is DoNE--METHoDs COMPARED WITH THOSE oY
THE UNITED STATES.
IFRoM OCCASIONAL ooRREsroSDESTo OF THE TRrnuxr.l
CRY OF MEXICO, May 15.-The republic Of
Mexico is modelled closely upon that Of the United
States" The central Government rests upon o fed
eral union of twenty eight States, each Of which
sends two Senators and delegation OF Deputies
based on population to the Congress, which, thus
constituted forms the legislative BRANCH of the Gov
eminent There are besides, as with the United
States, tho Executive and Judicial branches.
The Senate holds its sessions in apartment in
the Palace, very large building which fronts the
plaza from the east. The House of deputies oc-
cupies building formerly used as theatre, III the
rear Of the Cathedral and at distance from the
Senate. Under the Constitution there two sessions
in each year of the Congress- one, called the long
session. extending from the middle of September to
the middle of December aud the other from the first
of April to the first ofJune.
visitor in the capital might easily end his stay
without being reminded that Congress was in ses-
aon. One discovers upon inquiry that very little
popular interest 10 felt In its proceedings and while
the sessions ore for the most part open, very few
people attend them unless there Is some special 90
cason of extraordinary character. 1t Is ell worth
while, however. for one to VISIT the chamber to
study the practical machinery OF self-govsnment
In operation.
The chamber opens directly on the street, and is
DOT at oil protected against sudden squalls OF pop
ular excitement. soldier or two represents order.
and messengers hover ut tho entrance to be OF SER
vice to the members and ward off ntruders In one
corner of the portico sits old gentleman at
| table who checks of each member as he enters. A
few steps further another ioorkeepsr hands the
entering member the olcial printed journal which
ta,p ~ nrooaedir and
other matters OF parliamentary routine.
The courtesy Of signor Ajon one of the Deputies
provided me with seat the box reserved for the
Justices Of the Supreme Court, from which position
fine view Of tho chamber Is to be had. The hall
retains much of its theatrical arrangement On the
space formerly occupied by the stage s the plat
form and desk Of the Speaker and the clerks d.
rectly the head OF tho presiding officer, on
back ground Of red curtains, hangs framed copy
Of the Constitution, High over oil is o statuo Of
Miguel Hidslgo the republican patriot, 1anked on
either hand by allcgorical paintings.
For legislative purposes the pit" of the theatre
has been cleared Of seats except one row which
skirts the outer rim OF the semi-circls There are
three rows more. in what would be the parquette
circle, making in all for about 200
persons. The full membership of the chamber is at
present 1927 but as with Congress, 1t 10 rare that
moro than quorum Is present unless the business
is unusually important All the rows of seats ex-
oept the one on the floor have before them desk
facilities IN the shape of of trimmed rail
which members can place their hats, notes. papers
Or cooling drinks. The Deputies. are not provided
with the individual desks which ut once con-
yeuienoe and nuisance in the United States Hall
Of Representatives.
The sessions begin at O'Clock In the after.
noon and shortly before that hour the members
begin to arrive AZ they pass through the vestibule
they strike q bystander favorably. They arc for
the most part men In the prime of life. active in
movement but dgniied and very iuteli gent in ap-
pearance The greater part are dressed In English
morning froek coats and wear the silk hat which
represents respectability all over the world. The
keen-oyed old doorkeeper checks them of az they
pass and they then proceed TO an elegant retiring
loom and thence to th~ir seats in the chamber AZ
they meet one another they exchange courteous
and graceful greetings and seem TO be the friend
hest terms.
As the Deputies sit reading the official gazette or
Sps tRss British House 81 Commons Nos. Of the
members keep their hats on and are smoking
There IL peryaing buzz OF conversation, not az
noisy In the Hall OF Representatives, but OF the
same character and there Is general air Of lisIess
ness which betokens the lack of stirring topics Of
discussion. At length about fifteen minutes after
the time set for beginning the session-in marked
contrast to Am1ricn punctualit Speaker ring
o bell and st once commands perfect qui-t and
order. The hats are removed aud members take
their seats There Ia no form of devotion the
United Satea The clerk OF the House advances TO
the tribune and reads the minutes OF yesterday
droning them of In pcrfunctory way very much
as legislative reading clerks do all the world
The members la some cases follow the reader with
attention, but generally they fall to talking again
aud the chamber relapses into It's normal disorder
After tho journal Of yesterday was read the Speaker
touched O bell and all the members rose IN their
places while gentleman escorted by two Doputle,
advanced In front Of the presiding officer and
listened to q short formula read by the clerk. Ths
incident proved to be the swearing In OF city
lddge who being an elective magistrate took his
oath OF Office In presence of the popular branch OF
the Legislature. No sooner bad the newly qualified
Judge retired than the Speaker touched his bell
again and We were informed that the open session
for the day was over and that the chamber was
about TO 20 INTO a shors executive session before adj
j0urnment.
While there IL a general resemblance between tho
Chamber OF Deputies and the House Of Representa-
uves they present many points OF difference. Inc
Mexican House elects new Speaker every month";
and gives him put limited powers. The system OF
standing committees IL with some niodincstions
like that of the United States. The most Important
difference perhaps 10 the fact that In Mexico the
Cabinet Ministers permitted " explain aud dc.
fend their items In the budget and ca DO required
70 do so by resolution OF the two Houses But they
are not members of the Legislature ia the British
Parliament; holding their office supply AT the re-
quest of the President of the Republic the appoint
ments not even requiring confirmation By the Sem
ate as in the United States. Their appearances In
the House simply asa convenience and results as
doubt would be the case II the custom as adopt
ed at Washington, In the expedition OF public
business 49,
One other important feature should be noted. In
Mexico Congress issues patent rights citizen or
foreigner wishing patent proceeds as he desired
any other special legislation enacted Ho sends in
petition which Is referred TO intermediary oom-
mittee which is kind Of grand jury TO decide
whether IL 10 worth while TO trouble standing
committee with It's consideration. 1.-THE bill has, so
TO speak prin,a Jacie case the fact IL reported TO
the House and the appropriate reference made.
After this the bill takes Its chances much as IN tho
United States 1t may be pgeon-hole IN COM
inittee or be reported favorably and die. on the
Speakers table or perish IN the Senate or between
the two Houses amendments, or be vetoed 70
death after passing safely through the fstgues and
dangers of parliamentary routine. Formerly few
patents were sought, but OF late the industrial
Awakening has brought host Of applications and
the members are becoming little FESTIVE under the
amount of work involved and are thin king of turn
ing IL TO of the executive branches OF the
Government Such are some of the features of the
l.. Hail, -