Selected Official Documents of the South African Republic and Great Britain | Page 8

the danger is left to the President
and the members of the Executive Council, and is on their
responsibility. The Commandant-General must be present at the
consideration and decision of military affairs in the Executive Council
in virtue of his office, and shall have a vote as such therein.

ARTICLE 67.--The President, with advice of the Executive Council,
declares war and peace, with reference to Article 66 of the Constitution;
the Government having first, if possible, summoned the Volksraad
before the declaration of war. Treaties of peace require the ratification
of the Volksraad, which is summoned as soon as possible for that
purpose.
ARTICLE 68.--The President appoints all officials, either personally,
by commission through the head officials, taking into consideration that
all officials must be enfranchised burghers, or must produce good
testimonials to the satisfaction of the Government, and that so far as
they are charged with financial administration, must find adequate
security therefore at the choice of the Government.
ARTICLE 69.--The President complies, as far as possible, with the
desire of the people, as referred to in Article 21.
ARTICLE 70.--The President shall submit, yearly, at the opening of the
Volksraad, estimates of general outgoings and income, and therein
indicate how to cover the deficit or apply the surplus.
ARTICLE 71.--He shall also give a report during that session of that
Volksraad, of his actions during the past year, of the condition of the
Republic and everything that concerns its general interest.
ARTICLE 72.--After examination of the election returns for the
members of the Volksraad, sent in to the Executive Council, he shall
summon that Raad, yearly, on the first Monday of May, and whenever
necessity so demands.
ARTICLE 73.--He publishes in the month of March or April the names
and residences of those chosen members of the Volksraad.
ARTICLE 74.--The written summons of the members of the Volksraad
shall be sent to their houses three weeks before the opening of the
same.
ARTICLE 75.--The President and one member of the Executive

Council shall, if possible, visit the towns and villages of the Republic
where Landrost's officers are, once in the year; he shall examine the
state of those offices, inquire into the conduct of the officials, and on
these circuits give the inhabitants during their stay an opportunity to
bring before him anything they are interested in.
ARTICLE 76.--The President has the power, saving his responsibility
to the Volksraad, to dismiss officials from their offices, to make
provisional appointments, and to fill all open places. He reports to the
first following session of the Volksraad with regard to these
transactions.
ARTICLE 77.--The President signs all appointments of officials, gives
them their instructions himself, or has it read and explained to them by
qualified officials, administers the oath, makes them sign it, and after
their appointment puts into their hands a copy of instructions.
ARTICLE 78.--The President is charged with the administration of the
public service, the Postal Department and Public Works; he and the
members of the Executive Council are at the same time charged with
the supervision of the powder magazines and cannon of the State.
ARTICLE 79.--Correspondence with foreign powers shall be carried on
by the President and the Executive Council. The dispatches shall be
signed by him and the Secretary of State.
ARTICLE 80.--The President with the Executive Council has the right
to diminish or remit sentences of punishment passed for
misdemeanours or crime, on recommendation of the Court that has
passed the sentence, or upon petition of the person condemned, after
having taken the advice of the Court thereupon.
ARTICLE 81.--Before accepting his office he shall take the following
oath before the Volksraad:--
"As elected President of the Republic, I promise and swear solemnly,
that I shall be faithful to the people; and that I shall act according to
right and law in my office, according to the best of my knowledge and

conscience without respect of persons; that I have done no one favour,
nor made presents to reach this office; that I shall not accept from
anyone any present or favour, if I can suppose that this present or
favour should be made or done with a view of gaining from me a
resolution in favour of the person who does the favour or makes the
gifts; that I shall act according to the Constitution of the Republic, and
intend alone the furthering of the happiness and welfare at large of its
inhabitants."
ARTICLE 82.--The President exercises his power along with the
Executive Council. An Executive Council shall be joined to the
President, consisting of the Commandant-General, two enfranchised
burghers, a Secretary, and a Notekeeper (_notulenhouder_), who shall
have an equal vote, and bear the title of members of the Executive
Council. The Superintendent of Native Affairs and the Notekeeper shall
be _ex-officio_ members of