The New York herald., 1868-03-12
PERU.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF The HERALD.

Approaching E1ections-Tr0uble In the Gov.
ernmen--State Of Affairs In the North and
South.
LIMA, Feb. o. 1868.
Peru is now given entirely up to the excitement
and delight OF an election campaign. Throughout
the whole republic the only subject of conversation
interest is the approaching contest and as almost
third portion Of the population of the country
desrous Of being candidates the topic mex
haustible. A President and two Vice Presidents
have to be chosen, and although it appears that the
North are determined to have Colonel Balta as the
chief Of the nraion, it seems that the South, and
especially the department Of Arequipa, are equally
determined to place Of their own section In that
elevated position. Failing thisI the two Vice
Presidents must to counterbalance Baltas
northern proclvities be from the southern country
In Lima many Of the most respectable inhabitants
have formed themselvesin to campaign clubs and ap-
pear In this united position to be exercising con-
siderable degree OF influence. Lima, considering
herself rather northern than southern Is staunch in
her support OF Balta But elections In this country
are conducted very loosely and although the govern
ment has directed the Prefects of the different de-
partments not TO interfere with or influence In any
manner the vote Of the people, yet the old habit
sanctioned and strengthened by time and usage OF
forcing the people to vote for the government cand
date cannot be 80 suddenly and entirely dropped.
However, no disturbance Is looked for during
the period of elections, and all il quiet now
II will be recollected that Francisco Diez Canseco,
the brother Of the present ruler Of Peruvian dest-
nies, was made Commander and Supreme Chief Of
the Centre Departments by the revolutionary author
ties. During his brief period OF Office until his
brother arrived from Arequlpa, he exercised the
post In the future government Francisco Canseco
showered promotions and benefces upon all OF his
friends, and made himself, acting upon the charity
at home maxim, general In the army. or course
these acts all entirely illegal especially the last
for according to the constitution now in force no
generals commission can be issued except by
the consent Of Congress- and Congress was not even
convoked at the time Of Mr. Canseco's regime.
After the arrival OF the Vice President, Francisco
Canseco was made chief Of staff OF the Peruvian
army, the most important military post In Peru and
one especially coveted by all revolutionary indivdu-
ais IL enables them to place their friends In ad-
vantageous working positions. But the press,
instigatcd by some private individuals, bitterly
attacked the sefassumed generashp OF this chief OF
staff, and SO annoyed him that he applied
matter OF for his brother for It's ratification To
ton was promptly and decisvey refused and In his
anger he resigned his position as chief OF stafr and
became one Of the thousand and one candidates for
the Vice Presidency. The breach between his
brother and himself Is very wide. This circumstance,
OF itself not important, will give clear idea Of the
manner In which these things are conducted In Peru.
General Canseco has issued through the Treasury
Department, decree which restores all pensions
and gratuities granted formerly by the republic and
which very sensibly abolished In their greater
part by Prado. This VIII burden the exchequer to
the amount OF several millions annually and In the
present almost bankrupt condition OF Peru win he
the cause of much Inconvenience. Many of the pen
sions paid TO officers and soldiers widows are no
doubt well merited and Prado recognized them, but
numbers were given solely as personal favors and
now have been restored. civil officer
here, after having served for some time,
is allowed to retire on pension consist
ing OF tw0-thirds OF his service pay. This measure
IL greatly to be applauded, but 1t has often
happened that civil oficer who had the good for
tune to be friend Of the Minister President would
after having been In Office but few years. retire on
indefinite leave OF absence, and receive during such
leave, full pay. This abuse has been In degree
recognized by Canscco. All the pensions conceded
by Prado with the exception OF those granted on ac
count OF the fight with the spanish squadron are
considered null and void. Yet Prado, with his ac-
customed economy, granted 40 few Of them that the
dissatisfaction naturally arising from their suspen
sion is confined 10 a limited number OF persons. The
decree referred to speaks principally OF those pen
sioners who receive their annues for services rem
dered during the war OF independence, but In reality
II embraces the class above specified. such a meas
ure IL highly prejudica az present as the country
imperatively requires strict economy.
The government has been endeavoring TO obtain
loan OF twelve millions from the guano companies,
but has only succeeded In securing about two-enough
for six weeks interior expenses. During the last
revolution, which had for It's avowed object the up
holding OF the Catholic religion In Peru, which.
indeed, had never been attacked, a newspaper was
published In Lima, called CuthOifc Peru fEj Peru
Cdtolicdl. This periodical was vehement in its strc
lures OF Prado and was bgotcd enough In is opinions
as almost to urge the re-estabshment Of inqusl.
torial power. During the contest II was well sup
ported by the religious portion OF the community,
is probable that part OF the funds Of the faithful
were expended in printing ink and paper. But as
soon as Canseco had entered Lima In triumph people
forgot all about their religious ideas and commenced
the scramble for preierment and Office The
editor Of the paper we speak Of his list OF sub
scribers so woefully diminished that he published
strayed from the righteous path and that he was
Obliged 70 allow his paper TO die The death of the
justl The paper was suspended and the religious
people still are eager I'm their hunt
General Vvonco, who rendered himself odious IN
PeTu by the signing OF the treaty with spain, that
which provoked the revolution led BY pradc has re-
tfrF rnv n In atAta