ate is elected each month; and that officer, in case of a vacancy in the presidency, succeeds temporarily to the executive office. The law-making body meets annually from April 1st to May 30th, and from September 16th to December 16th. In addition to this there is a permanent legislative committee of both branches, having power to act in all emergencies, and to sit during the recess of Congress. The President is not chosen directly by the people, but by electors; holds office for four years, and can not remain in power for two successive terms; and this last provision is said to be almost the only one of the Mexican Constitution that is rigidly observed.
Public opinion in Mexico has been defined to be, "the opinion entertained by the President"; and from the most favorable point of view can not mean anything more than the opinions of the large landed proprietors, the professions, the teachers, the students, and the army officers, comprising in all not more than from twenty-five to thirty thousand of the whole population. And it is understood that less than this number of votes were cast at the last presidential election, although the Constitution of Mexico gives to every adult male citizen of the republic the right to vote at elections and to hold office. Popular election in Mexico is, therefore, little more than a farce; and
