sought to ensnare it by several amendments, first by proclaiming tolerance and separating church and state, by declaring marriage a civil contract, by substituting for the religious oath a simple promise to speak the truth, by forbidding alienation of personal liberty by vow or contract.[1] A senate was added in 1874,[2] and later came the amendment brought about by Diaz' revolution, which forbade the reëlection of a president or governor for a consecutive term.[3]
Congress consists of two houses, one of deputies, and one of senators, both elected by indirect popular vote, the former for two years, in the proportion of one for every 40,000 inhabitants. The senate is conposed of two members for every state, renewable every second year by half. It has the exclusive faculty to approve treaties, decide for cases of interference with states, and confirm appointments of ministers, diplomatic agents, and superior military and financial officers. Two sessions are held yearly, the
- ↑ This was passed on Sept. 25, 1873, and amplified on Dec. 10, 1874. All religions might be practised as long as laws were not infringed, but the government retained control over their meetings to enforce order, and also over cemetries. Religious feast days were abolished, Sunday being regarded as a day of rest, and religious rites and teaching were forbidden outside of temples, and consequently in schools, where general morality alone could be inculcated. Religious ministers could receive no legacy, nor any gifts in real estate or obligations. While marriage was a civil contract, a full divorce could not be granted.
- ↑ El Publicista, ii. 175 et seq.
- ↑ A president accordingly cannot be a candidate until four years after the close of his term. Amendment issued May 5, 1878. For text of amendments, with debate and comments, I refer to Rivera, Hist. Jal., iv. 603-87, where the need of a senate is advocated. Zurco, Hist. Cong., i. 100-876; ii. 5-1031; debate on 1857 constitution, Archivo, Mex., iii. 1008-11, vi. 210; Mex., Mem. Gob., 1975, 13-20; Zaremba, Merchant, 6; Rivera, Palacio, Hist. Lerdo, 423-42, 486-93; Diar. Debates, Cong. 7, i. 193-203, 630, 825, 1208, etc., ii. 12–20, iii. 16, 102-886; Diar. Ofic., Apr. 9, 10, 23, June 4, 1877, Oct. 24, 1881, with proposed amendments. Attacks upon them in Munguia's elaborate works, in his Opusc., vi. 1-28; Crímenes Demagog., 5; Bustamante, Ensayo, 142; Pinart, Coll., Relig. y Independ., 1-23. Comments in connection with inonarchic views, in Chivalier, Exped., 42; Estrada, Mex. y Archiduque, 31; Doc. Hist. Mex., 1831-75, pt 4. Also by Domenech, Masseras, and others, and pamphlets in Pap. Var., xxv. pts v.-vi., lxxxii. pt ii., ciii. pt i., cx. pt iv., cxii. pt viii. 16.
The latter ruled by prefects appointed by the emperor, and guided by a council of their joint selection. Towns of over 3,000 inhabitants obtained popularly elected ayuntamientos. Superior judges were perpetual. Mex., Col. Leyes Imp., i.-viii.
