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INTEROCEANIC CANAL AND INTERCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

In addition to the plans of internal improvement, indicated there are two great enterprises now before the world which promise inestimable advantages to the Republic-the Nicaragua Interoceanic Canal, a work of such importance that a chapter in this work has been especially devoted to it, and the Intercontinental Railroad from North to South, connecting the three great divisions of America. The railroad has not yet taken shape, but surveying parties have located pathways for the locomotive.

Chapter VIII.

CONSTITUTION AND LAWS; FINANCE AND TAXATION; PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

Nicaragua is a Republic, sovereign, free, and independent. The form of government is popular and representative, and its powers are defined by a written constitution, which was adopted in 1858, and was based upon that originally formed in 1838 when the Central American federation was dissolved.

The Government is divided into three branches-legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative power is vested in a Congress, consisting of two bodies, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The Senate is composed of two Senators from each department, who are elected for a term of six years, but one-third of their number is renewed by election every two years. No person can be elected to the Senate who is less than 30 years of age, or a minister of the church; he must be the father of a family, and the owner of property not less than $2,000 in value. The members of the lower House are called Deputies and are elected for four years, but one-half are renewed by election every two years. By virtue of the Constitution, there is one Deputy for every 20,000 inhabitants in each district; but if the population of the district shows an excess of 10,000 or more over and above that number, then one more Deputy may be elected. The necessary qualifications for a Deputy are that he must be not less than 25 years of age, and not a member of the priesthood. Congress meets on the 1st of January every second year. The session lasts for ninety days, but may be prorogued after thirty days. Neither

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chamber can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other.

The executive power is vested in a President, whose term of office is four years and who can not be reëlected for the term immediately following; he must be a native and resident of the Republic, not less than 30 years of age, not a member of the priesthood, must be the father of a family, and the owner of property worth not less than $4,000. But a native of any of the other Central American Republics may be chosen, provided that he is a naturalized citizen and has resided in the Republic of Nicaragua not less than fifteen years. He is inaugurated and enters upon his administration on the 1st of March.

The President is assisted by a Cabinet, which on November 30, 1892, consisted of four Secretaries or Ministers (Ministros). One of these secretaries was the head of the Department of Foreign Relations and Fomento or Promotion of Public Welfare. Another presided over the Department of War, the Navy and Public Instruction. The third Secretary was the head of a Department of the Interior, Police and Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the fourth was the head of the Department of the Treasury and Public Credit. The Ministers may take part in the deliberations of Congress, but without the power of voting.

The judicial power is exercised by a Supreme Court, divided into two sections, one of which is located in Leon and the other in Granada. Each section is composed of at least four judges and two alternates. There is also a well-organized system of subordinate courts and tribunals throughout the country, and justice is well administered.

The Constitution is wisely framed and liberal in its provisions, and the laws are as just and well adapted for the needs of a civilized community as can be found in any nation of the world.

By virtue of the Constitution, all persons born on the soil are free, and slavery and traffic in slaves is prohibited. No person

can be deprived of life, property, honor, or liberty except by due process of law.

stances.

The death penalty is inflicted only for murder, assault in a town if followed by death, or in the country if accompanied by wounds and robbery, and for arson under aggravated circumThe rights of petition and lawful assembly are recog‐ nized. The right to carry arms for lawful self-protection and defense, and to enter, reside in, travel over and leave the Republic without molestation, is guaranteed. Titles of nobility, hereditary honors, privileged classes, and prerogatives are not recognized. The inviolability of private correspondence, and of the house or domicile, as well as the right of private property, is recognized. Every citizen of Nicaragua has a right to vote at all elections if he is 21 years of age or more, or he will be enfranchised at 18 years of age if he holds a scientific degree or is the father of a family, holding property of not less than $100 in value, or has some trade or profession that produces that amount annually.

NATURALIZATION LAW.

Citizenship may be acquired by foreigners in the following

manner:

1. If the applicant is a Central American, upon proof of his residence for one year within the Republic.

2. If the applicant comes from any other Spanish-American Republic, the residence must be for two years. If he comes from any other country, four years' residence is required.

It will be sufficient for Central Americans, after one year of residence has been completed, to state their desire to become naturalized in the Republic, but all other Spanish-Americans are obliged to give notice of their intention one year before their application for citizenship, and all other foreigners are required to give notice of their intention two years before their application. All foreigners, however, have the power, without forfeiting

thereby their own nationality, to acquire public unoccupied lands on the same terms and conditions as the citizens of Nicaragua.

TAXATION AND FINANCE.

Taxation in Nicaragua is indirect, the revenue being derived from import duties, stamps, the Government monopolies of tobacco, liquors, and gunpowder, the tax on cattle exported, and the sale of unoccupied lands. The Government owns the railroad and the steamers on Lake Managua, which together have yielded, at date of last report, about 6 per cent on the cost. There are no taxes levied on real estate. Municipal taxation is moderate, and in the towns, consists principally of taxes for street lighting, police, water supply, etc.

The revenue of Nicaragua is steadily increasing. This improvement is indisputable evidence of the growing wealth and prosperity of the country.

The revenue from all sources was

In the year 1851

In the year 1870.

In the year 1889.
In the year 1890..

In the year 1891

$122, 686.00

737, 284.00 2,036, 137.43 2, 370, 183.49

2, 847, 729, 08

This improvement is demonstrated equally in every source

from which the public income is derived.

Thus, in the year ending June 30

1890, telegraph yielded

1889, telegraph yielded

Increase.

1890, post-office.

1889, post-office.

Increase

$34, 152.92

30, 793. 67

3, 359.25

35.774. 73 24, 275.74

II 498.99

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