Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/655



constitution of the republic of Liberia is on the model of that of the United States of America. The executive is vested in a president and a non-active vice-president, and the legislative power is exercised by a parliament of two houses, called the Senate and the House of Representatives. The president and vice-president are elected for two years; the House of Representatives also for two years, and the senate for four years. There are 13 members of the Lower House, and 8 of the Upper House; each county sending 2 members to the senate. It is provided that, on the increase of the population, each 10,000 persons will be entitled to an additional representative. Both the president and the vice-president must be thirty-five years of age, and have real property to the value of 600 dollars, or 120l. In case of the absence or death of the president, his post is filled by the vice-president. The latter is also President of the Senate, which, in addition to being one of the branches of the legislature, is a Council for the President of the Republic, he being required to submit treaties and appointments for ratification.

President of Liberia.—Edward Joseph Raye, installed in office Jan. 6, 1870.

The president may be re-elected any number of times. Since the foundation of the republic, the office was filled by—

For political and judicial purposes, the republic is divided into states, or counties, which are subdivided into townships. The states, four in number, are called Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Sinoe, and Maryland. The townships are commonly about eight miles in extent. Each town is a corporation, its affairs being managed by officers chosen by the inhabitants. Courts of monthly and quarter