Evening star., 1921-12-25

each, one-half of the membership Of
the chamber being renewed every
two years. BY many this is con-
sidered preferable to the complete
turnover in our own House of Repre-
sentatives.
Each chamber is the judge Of the
qualifications of its own members,
formulates it's own rules and desis-
mates commissions to act officially
for it in matters and at places where
it would not be possible for the cham
Der to be present in body.
The chamber of deputies is charged
with the initiation of legislation hav-
ing to do with the changing or the
repeal of tariffs, taxes and imposts.
In it also must be presented charges
against delegates to the federal coun-
ell, secretaries of the cabinet, maSis-
trates of the supreme court. diplo-
matte agents. senators and deputies
to the federal congress for ofenses
alleged to have been committed in the
exercise of their functions. The lower
chamber shall decide whether there
is basis for impeachment proceedings,
and if cause be found pass the case
on to the senate for trial.
The power to declare war is given
jointly to the two chambers of Con-
gress, likewise the power of making
peace. The approval, modification or
disapproval of treaties and conven-
tions rests jointly with the two
bodies, instead of solely with the
senate, as in this country. The de-
creeing Of martial law also rests with
congress, rather than with the eXecu-
tive. Other powers given to the Cen
trail American congress do not differ
greatly from those exercised by the
United States Congress.
,, X X x
MEMBERS of the cabinet will be
A'A known as "secretaries,'' as in the
United States. There will be sec
retary each for the foreign affairs.
treasury, war. marine, public instruc-
ton, fuel, labor, agriculture and
health departments. In order to be-
come a. secretary or undersecretary
it is required that one be more than
twenty-five years of age and citizen
of the republic.
When called upon by either chamber
of congress, the heads of government
departments must give any informa-
ton in their possession, except that
which pertains to the conduct of war
or the negotiation of foreign treaties.
Even then they must give the re-
quired information if it be demanded
by two-thirds vote.
The federal judicial system will be
comprised of a supreme court, with
seven justices, and other courts cor
responding to our own system. The
justices for the supreme court will be
elected by the senate from among
list of twenty-one candidates to be
presented to that body by the federal
council, seven from each state, and
will serve for life. In addition to the
seven justices, or proprietarles, there
will be three alternates, who will
serve in case of the temporary in
capacity of proprietaries. If the in
capacity becomes permanent new
election must be held by the senate.
The federal constitution, while con-
tanning many features borrowed from
the constitutions of Switzerland, the
United States and Argentina, has sew
eral novel provisions not previously
written into any similar instrument,
but which are indicative Of the lib
eral tendencies of those who drew it
up.
Suffrage, for instance, is dealt with
very carefully. 1t is obligatory for
men and voluntary for women, who
also are eligible for public office.
Voluntary suffrage is extended to
married women or widows OF more
than twenty-one years and who are
able to read and write; to single
women Of twenty-five years who have
received primary instruction and who
have certain incomes. While it is OBJ