GOVERNMENT. The present Constitution of Daly is based on the Statuto granted by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, to his subjects in IS4M. When Sardinia expanded into the Kingdom of Italy, its Constitution was taken over as the fundamental law of the new State. Curiously enough, it. contains no provision for amendment and has never been formally elmnged. Many of its provisions have, however, been indirectly changed by custom, and even by decree of the King, and it seems now to be settled that the power of amendment without limit belongs to the King and Parliament. The Constitution provides with much more detail than that of France for the organization of the Government, and contains a bill of rights intended chiefly to serve as a limitation upon the powers of the King. The Constitution vests the executive power in a King who is hereditary in the House of Savoy. according to the principle of agnatie lineal succession. The sovereign attains his major ity at eighteen years of age, and his person is inviolable. De is the supreme head of the State, commander of the army and navy, declares war, negotiates all treaties. But treaties which impose financial burdens upon the State, or which alienate the national territory, must be approved by the Chambers. The King appoints all officers; issues decrees and ordinances for the execu tion of the laws under the limitation that he cannot suspend or dispense with existing laws: he sanctions and promulgates the laws; may veto absolutely any project of law; and finally has the power to grant pardons and commuta tions of penalties. While the Constitution con fers these powers upon the King, it provides that no official act of his shall he valid unless counter signed by a Minister who thereby assumes the responsibility for the same. The responsibility of the Ministers is to the Lower ITouse of Par liament. They are appointed by the King, and may or may not he members of Whether members or not, they are entitled to seats in either Chamber, but may vote only in the Chamber of which they are members. In
Parliament, the Ministers take the lead in the debates. They initiate the measures of the Government, and, in fact, al) the more important bills, and seek to have them enacted into law. They also defend the policy of the Government against attack from the opposition, but when an important measure which they have advocated is voted down by the Chamber, or when a resolu tion expressing lack of confide-nee in the Ministry is adopted, they either resign or request the King to dissolve the Chamber and order a new election. in the hope that the people will sustain their policy and elect representatives who will support them. In addition to their duties in Parliament, the Ministers have charge of the several administrative departments. At present there are eleven of these, viz.: The Interior, Foreign Affairs, the Treasury. Finance, Justice and Religion, War, Marine, Commerce and In du.try and Agriculture, Public Instruction, Posts and Telegraphs, and Public Works.
The Constitution vests the legislative power in a Senate and Chaniber of Deputies with sub stantial equality of powers in legislation, except that revenue measures must originate in the Chamber of Deputies. The Senate is composed of princes of the royal blood who have attained their majority, and of an unlimited number of members who have attained the age of forty years, appointed by the King for life from certain classes designated by the Constitution. These classes are the archbishops and bishops; members of the lloyal Academy of seven years' standing; Deputies who have served three terms of five years; certain high civil and military functionaries, such as Cabinet Ministers, ambas sadors, councilors, judges, generals, admirals, etc.; citizens who pay over 3000 lire in taxes; and citizens illustrious on account of service to the State or for distinction in science, literature, or art. At present there are about 340 Senators, nearly two-thirds of whom belong to the class of ex-Deputies and large taxpayers.