Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1162

 1040 MEXICO.

(Republica Mexioana.) Constitution and Government.

Mexico was annexed to the Spanish Crown by conquest in 1521, and for three centuries continued to be governed by Spain. In 1810 the rule of tiie Spanish Viceroys had become so tyrannical that it caused an outbreak headed by the patriot priest Hidalgo, who on September 15, 1810, declared the Independence of Mexico. In 1821 General Augustin Iturbide declared him- self Emperor of Mexico, but in 1824 he had to flee, and the Republic was established. Several Presidents ruled the destinies of the country with more or less severity until 1864, when the throne of Mexico was offered to Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria. He was shot in 1867, and Juarez, who had been President in the northern part of the country, took the reins of govern- ment. He was followed by Lerdo de Tigada, who in 1876 fled, and General Porhrio Diaz made his entry into Mexico City. He has ruled the country with the exception of four years (1880-4, General Manuel Gonzalez) until May, 1911, when he presented his resignation to Congress. Sehor F. de la Barra acted as President ad interim until the elections had taken place. Senor Francisco I. Madero assumed office as President on November 6, 1911, and ruled until February, 1913, when a coup cVetat took place, resulting in the President's murder (February 23, 1913) and his replacement by General Victoriano Huerta.

The present Constitution of Mexico bears date February 5, 1857, with subsequent modifications down to May 1908. By its terms Mexico is declared a federative republic, divided into States — 19 at the outset, but at present 27 in number, with 3 territories and the Federal District — each of which has a right to manage its own local afi'airs, while the whole are bound together in one body politic by fundamental and constitutional laws. The powers of the supreme Government are divided into three branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative power is vested in a Congress consisting of a House of Representatives (233 members) and a Senate, and the executive in a President. Representatives are elected for two years by the sufi'rage of all respectable male adults, at the rate of one member for 40,000 inhabitants. The qualifications requisite are, to be twenty-five years of age, and a resident in the State. The Senate consists of fifty-six members, two for each State, of at least thirty years of age, who are returned in the same manner as the deputies. The members of both Houses receive salaries of 3,000 dollars a year. The President is elected by electors popularly chosen in a general election, holds office for six years, and, according to an amendment of the Constitution in 1887, may be elected for consecutive terms. The election of the Vice-President takes place in the same manner and at the same date as that of the President. The Vice-President is ex officio President of the Senate, with a voice in the discussions but without vote. Failing the President through absence or otherwise, the Vice-President discharges the functions of the President. Failing both, Congress shall call fornew elections to be held at once. Congress has to meet annually from April 1 to May 31, and from September 16 to December 15, and a permanent committee of both Houses sits during the recesses.

Provisional President of the Republic. — General Victoriano Huerta ; ])ro- claimed himself February 18, 1913.