Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/252

 214 MEXICO. A yearly salary of two thousand dollars is assigned to them, (Article 45). The concurrence of both Chambers is required for the transmission of any legal enactment to the President. If he approves it, it is immediately published with his signature, when it acquires the force of law. If disapproved of by the President, it is sent back to the Chambers with his observa- tions. Should it be again sanctioned by a majority of two- thirds of the members of hoth^ the President must sign and publish it, without farther remonstrance. If not approved by this majority, the project cannot be again taken into con- sideration until the following year. The objections of the President must be stated within a term of ten days, without which the law is conceived to have received his sanction, and must be promulgated. Laws of every kind may originate, without distinction, in either Chamber, with the exception of those on taxes or con- tributions, which must be proposed in the Chamber of De- puties, (Articles 51 — 57 ) In the formation of a law, the presence of a majority of members in both Chambers is required, (Article 66.) The principal attributes of the Congress are : — To maintain the Federal Union of the States, their inde- pendence of each other, and the perfect equality of their rights and obligations. To promote general information by the establishment of copyrights, and the formation of colleges for the navy, the army, and the engineers. To open roads and canals ; to regulate posts, and grant patents to the inventors or introducers of any useful discovery. To protect and regulate the liberty of the press in such a manner that its exercise can never be suspended, or abolished, in any part of the Federation. To incorporate into the Union new States, or Territories, fix their respective limits, raise Territories to the rank of