Page:Armenia, Travels and Studies, Vol. 2.djvu/594

 then the question is settled. But if the decisions be different, it is considered as difference of opinion, and consequently the final settlement of the question is referred to the General Assembly.

In order that the Mixed Assembly may have a legal meeting the majority of both Assemblies should be present.

Article 89.—Invitations should be sent to the members from the Patriarchate at least six days before the day of the meeting.

Article 90.—Every member of the nation who is of age and capable of earning money is bound to participate in the national expenditure by paying a tax. This tax is annual, and the basis of its distribution is the capacity of the individual.

Article 91.—There are two kinds of national taxes—one general, for general expenses and collected by the Patriarchate for the National Central Treasury, the other special, for the special expenses of each quarter, and collected by the Councils of the quarters for their private treasuries.

Article 92.—The distribution and manner of collection of the general taxes for Constantinople are settled by the Political Assembly and confirmed by the General Assembly. But the special taxes are arranged by the Council of each quarter. In the same way are managed the provincial general taxes and the special taxes for each locality.

Article 93.—The General Assembly will decide and the Sublime Porte will confirm the manner of distribution and collection of the tax which the provinces have thus far been paying to the Treasury of the Patriarchate.

Article 94.—The Metropolitan is the president of Provincial Assemblies and has their executive power under his control.

His duty is to see that the Constitution is preserved in the provinces.

Article 95.—The Metropolitan cannot reside in monasteries and thus be far from the place of his office, but he will live in the official residence of the Metropolitan, where the Provincial Assemblies also hold their meetings.

When a Metropolitan is at the same time an abbot he can carry on the two offices simultaneously if the monastery be only one day’s journey from the metropolis, paying occasional visits to the monastery, but if the distance be more than one day’s journey, he should appoint a_representative in the monastery, and he himself should reside in the city. In case of need, however, he can visit any part of his diocese.

Article 96.—Every quarter in the provinces should have in the same way as those in Constantinople its Council, its treasury, and its officers.