Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/278

 electorate comprises all citizens twenty-one years of age. In case of death the President is replaced by the Vice-President, who is also President ex-officio of the Senate. The executive is entrusted to five cabinet ministers, irresponsible to the Congress, which comprises a Senate of eight members elected for two years, and a Chamber of Deputies elected for four years. These at present number thirteen, but are liable to be increased with the increase of population. The citizens are not eligible before their thirtieth year, and whites are excluded from the franchise. Till recently they could not even purchase land without first becoming naturalised; but since the late modification of the laws they are able to acquire real property, although still only indirectly through Government agency.

As in the United States, justice is administered through district courts and a high court at Monrovia. There is no state religion, although the American

Episcopal Church predominates, and public opinion exacts a formal observance of the Sabbath, even on the part of the Mohammedans. Every village of three hundred inhabitants supports a primary school, besides which two colleges have been founded for the higher instruction of both sexes.

All citizens between their sixteenth and fiftieth years are bound to military service, although seldom enrolled except during the wars with the surrounding tribes. The national militia comprises four territorial regiments, under the supreme command of a brigadier-general. The navy is limited to a few sloops and rowing-boats. The revenue falls short of £40,000; but the debt, imposed on the state by some dishonest. speculators, is relatively heavy, amounting in 1886 to £316,000.

Liberia is at present divided into four counties: Mesurado, Grand Bassa, Sinu,