Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-28
Constitution Of PSsfa
Confirmed by Mahomed Ali

ceived an official copy of the
constitution granted to the Per-
IL slams by the late shah MuZaf-
fer-ed-Din, January 1. 1907, and
confirmed by his son. Mahomed All. the
reigning shah. The new constitution con-
ssts of preamble and fifty-one articles,
and in several particulars is similar to the
Constitution of the United States. One
essential difference, however, is the dis
tinct recognition of God by the Persian gov
eminent in the establishment of popular
institutions
The preamble has decidedly oriental
flavor. "In the name of God, the COM
passionate and merciful.' 1t begins and
then recites that the shah has. "in order to
promote the prosperity of the nation. to
improve the condition of the country, to
strengthen the foundations of the state and
to execute the laws of the holy prophet
issued instructions for the formation OF
national assembly. On the principle, there
fore, that the peoples Of this realm, each
individual in proportion to his position,
have a right to participate in the approval
and direction Of pubic affairs, we nave or.
GAINED that the selection and choice OF
members shall be decided by the exercise
of national suffrage"
The articles provide for national as
sembly (similar to our House of Represen-
tatives) and senate with the rights ana
powers commonly enjoyed by such pooies
in constitutional monarchies. The national
assembly consists of 1872 members, elected
every two years. who are to swear by inc
Koran" to execute the duties they are
charged with, 80 long as the rights OF the
assembly are observed" Proceedings are
to be public and members OF the Assembly
are secured from arrest. The press Is IN
vited to criticise and make 3uo.clons sus
gestions.
The rights Of the press are stated IN
article thirteen as follows:
'As the discussions in the national as
sembly are intended SO to shape the re-
suits that they can come into operation, 1t
is necessary that they be mace pupic
Newspapers and spectators have the priv
ilege to be present and listen, but without
the right to intervene in the debates. News
papers may print the whole Of the ols-
cussion but without comment or change
Of meaning. in order that the pubic may
be acquainted with the arguments IN oe
bate and the particulars of the proceed
ings. Any persons having views tendlns
to the tranquility Of the state can com
municate them to the popular journals, so
no person remain in secret. So long there
fore as the newspapers print notnlng
inimical to the Fundamental mterests oL
the state and nation they have 1uli hperly
mon veal, the debates in the assembly
and the exchange by the people of sympa-
thetic views thereon: but shali any . one ia 10
newspapers or periodicals, from motives OF
nreiudice or in violation Of the above priv
flege publish any article or give currency
to libelous or defamatory matter, ne VIII
render himself liable to judicial INQUIRY
and on conviction to the infection OF pehai-
ties"
~
New laws may be made with the con-
sent Of the senate and shah. Ministers
will be chosen 10y the assembly to formu-
late LEGISLATION. In financial matters the
popular house has exclusive and full con-
troll The right of petition Is fully recos-
nized All matters. in fact except treaties
which require to be kept secret, are COM
nitted to the national aSsembly'S dlscre-
ton.
1t is provided that no concession of any
kind or denomination for the formation
of any company or public partnership shail
be granted by the government without the
approval Of the national assembly:
Ministers of the crown have the right
to he present at the SittingS or the as
sembly and should they deem it necessary
they may obtain permission of the presl-
dent to address the members.
The senate. consisting of sixty members,
ed. The shah is to appoint fifteen mem
bers from Teheran and fifteen from the
provinces The remaining thirty are to
be elected ION behalf of the national as
sembly" half from the capital and half
from the provinces. In case of conflict
between the assembly and the senate. II
| IT Is an i,nportant matter" conference COM
mittee chosen from the two houses Will
be given charge of the bill under discus
sion and the decision of the conferees Will
he final But If the senate conferees cam
not agree with the assembly conferees, the
matter shall go to the shah If the shah
objects to the proposal and the national as
sembly insists on it, the council will be dis
solved and a new assembly will be elected.
The shah announced his ratification OF the
constitution by the favor of Almighty
Cod and decreed that our successive SOW
ereigns and descendants respect these
| limitations and principles, which we nave
for the purpose of strengthening the basis
| of government, giving stability to the
| foundations of sovereignty, preserving the