Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/251

M EXICO. 213 Congress. The last of the two named is replaced by a new appointment at the end of two years; the first retains his seat for four. Both must be thirty years of age, and must possess all the quaHfications requisite for a Deputy, (Articles 25, 26, 28, and 29). The Congress thus constituted meets every year on the Ist of January, (Article 67,) and closes its sessions on the 15th of April ; unless either in its own opinion, or in that of the President, it be necessary to prolong them for thirty days more, (Article 71)- In the interval between the ordinary sessions an Extraor- dinary Congress may be convoked, (composed always of the existing Chambers,) either by the President, or by the Coun- cil of Government, should two-thirds of its members agree upon its expediency, (Article 110). The Congress cannot open its sessions without the pre- sence of more than half the total number of its members, (Article 36). Either of the Chambers can resolve itself into a Grand Jury, qualified to take cognizance of accusations against the President, for the crime of treason in attempting to subvert the form of Government established, or for any act manifestly tending to impede the free election of Senators and Deputies ; or against the Members of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, the Secretaries of State, and the Governors of the different States, for infractions of the constitution, by the publication of laws contrary to the general laws of the Union, (Article 38). Should an impeachment be decided upon by two-thirds of the members of the Chamber, before which the accusation is preferred, the person accused is, ipso facto, suspended from his employment, and placed at the disposal of the competent tribunal, (Article 42). Both Deputies and Senators are inviolable, and cannot, at any time be called to account for their opinions, (Article 42).-