. The Spanish-American republics . Other manifestations of intellectuallife are the forty literary and scientific societies which exist in Santi-ago, at the two most important of which public lectures are given inseason. But of these I cannot speak from experience. There arealso nine social clubs in Santiago, of which the most important is URBAN AND COMMERCIAL CHILI. 127 the Union, commodiously lodged in a handsome house, well kept,and frequented by the best men of the republic. At the Union youwill hear the political situation of Chili discussed three times a dayround an excellently served ta
. The Spanish-American republics . Other manifestations of intellectuallife are the forty literary and scientific societies which exist in Santi-ago, at the two most important of which public lectures are given inseason. But of these I cannot speak from experience. There arealso nine social clubs in Santiago, of which the most important is URBAN AND COMMERCIAL CHILI. 127 the Union, commodiously lodged in a handsome house, well kept,and frequented by the best men of the republic. At the Union youwill hear the political situation of Chili discussed three times a dayround an excellently served table, and after dinner there is plenty ofmoney to be lost and won in the card-rooms at poker or rocambole. Politics in Chili, as in all the Southern republics, is an inter-minable subject of conversation, and perhaps it has never been moreardently pursued than during the administration of President Bal-maceda. The cry is reform and progress. The Government of Chiliis nominally popular and representative; the republic one and indi-. y»>i^^. CHAMBER OE DEPUTIES, SANTIAGO. visible; and the Constitution is supposed to be modelled on that ofthe United States. The President is elected every five years byelectors appointed directly by the provinces, at the rate of threeelectors for each deputy to which the province has a right. ThePresident is not eligible for re-election except after an interval of oneterm. He administrates through six ministers, chosen by himself, anda Council of State composed of eleven members, six elected by theCongress, and five appointed by the President himself. This Council 128 THE SPANISH-AMERICAN REPUBLICS. is not remunerated, and is of little importance, owing to the greatpowers held by the President, who really directs the whole adminis-trative and elective machinery. Thus the President appoints and re-moves at will the intendentes, or governors of provinces, and the go-bemadores, or governors of departments. These latter appoint thesubdelegates, who p
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