GOVERNMENT. For political purposes the Re public of Peru is divided into 17 departments and 2 provinces (Callao and Aloquegua), and these departments in turn are subdivided into 90 prov inces. The present Constitution, based on that of the United States, was proclaimed in 1856 and revised four years later. Under it the executive power is vested in a President, who must be thirty-five years of age, and a native Peruvian, elected by direct vote for four years, and two Vice-Presidents elected for the same period. The President is ineligible for two consecutive terms. Ile is assisted by six responsible ministers, who hold office at his pleasure, but whose signature is necessary to validate his acts.
The legislative power is vested in a Senate of 48 members and a Chamber of Deputies of 108. The Senators. with the same age and residence qualifications as the President. are elected by de partments. the number varying from one to four, according to the number of provinces in the de partment. The Deputies. Peruvians by birth and citizens of good standing. are elected in the pro portion of one for every :30.000 inhabitants or majority fraction, though cash province is en titled to one representative even if its population is less than 15,000. Senators must have an an
nual income of 81000 and Deputies of A500, or have a scientific profession. They are elected in directly by provincial electoral colleges and serve six years.
The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court of Justice, whose members are elected by Congress from names submitted by the President : superior courts in each department. whose mem ber; are appointed by the President : and judges of first instance in oath province and local jus tices in each municipality. appointed by the judges of the superior courts. The conduct of all trials must be public. The executive and police powers of the Republic depend directly upon the President. who appoints the prefects of the various departments and the sub-prefects. who control the provinces. The districts are under Governors appointed by the prefects, and the municipalities under Lientenant-Governors appointed by the sub-prefects. All police officials hold directly from the President. Citizenship is restricted by educational and property qualifica tions. The capital of the Republic i. Lima.