The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-19
SPAIN.


Omcc-Seelzers and the New Governments
Public Observation-Disclosures System OF Taxn-
tion-Prospects OF n neutrality-suspicious.
of the Democrats-Demoralizatio Of the
Army-TiInidity OF the GOvernment--At-
tempted Assassination of General Prim.
MADRID, Nov. 4. 1868.
The provisional government, whose chambers are
the Mecca FOR so many hungry oficeseekers, has
not yet had time amid the rush and turmoil Of deal
ing out fat berths to its followers, to give great
deal Of thought TO that portion OF the Spanish
people who do not seek place pelf. Conse-
quently we have not yet seen the manifesto that
Will order an election and convoke the Con-
stituent Cortes. There is degree OF weakness
and want OF wisdom on the part OF the
body that now controls the destiny OF Spain
that augers Ill for the country. Questions Of the
most vital importance, not only TO tile welfare OF the
nation but to the stability OF the regime seem
to be passed over by tho Ministers with q moments
thought while they exhibit an intense energy
and vigor in responding TO the claims OF Don Pedro
or Don Juan for this that Office The selection of
tide walter or an ensign In a regiment l matter
OF colossal interest TO government which is SO
blind as not to see that the ground on which they
stand is sliding from under their feet as rapidly
as any enemy OF the new movement could wish.
Perhaps the Ministry desires to show the people
king or without any OF those attributes OF royalty to
which they have been SO long accustomed. But at
the same time while they adding by this policy to
the stock Of argument used by the republicans they
are njuring themselves by giving the people an idea
that the Ministry may think that the country may do
without Cortes as wen as King. Almost SIX
weeks in power they have made no appeal to the
people TO elect government for themselves, but
they have removed every trace OF popular govern
ment by dissolying the Juntas. Can 1t be supposed
that the people Will be satisfied with the programme
NJ The government as developed in which, while the
cry OF universal suffrage is eiernaiy used not step
is taken TO give II enect Ia any wayS Indeed, one
might naturally think that the leaders so comfort
ably installed IN power did not dream or surrender
ing their places, - they have already Issued hood
OF DEGREES ON every possible subject that properly
belongs to tine Cortes. what may be left for the
Uortes TO accomplish viii require the srewdest law
pretty soon 1t is doubtful whether anything win
remain 10 be done. And N this leverIsh
anxiety TO oyerturn the entire body OF law
and change the administration OF affairs the seeds or
future trouble are to be found. Each Minister
has undertaken his WORK wilh the zeal OF q new
official. DEGREES OF immense length, Affecting
rights ana interests, private and public have issued
!, ON the prolific editors and poets that form the
government with regularity and volume quite un-
precedented in the history OF any other nation.
Questions OF finance have been treated by the Min
listers as easily, as rapidly as they were but lead
Ing articles for a third class Journal Octro duties
were abolished 1T sweep, and system
OF personal taxation devised IN less time than 1t
u
for debt and the income OF a nation the means for
the support OF It's army, navy, civil Officers and the
general administration OF public AFFAIRS are TO de-
pend upon the success OF thts experiment. Nations
that are considered quite as apt In financial anair5
and IN the exercise OF broad pontical economy
have found IL necessary to calmly and thoroughly
discuss great for the collection OF the reye
enue, and have never yet heard OF any that abol-
ished the old system before 1t sure OF the
successful working OF the new. IL rs, perhaps
Of the astonishing rights that the Spaniards have
gained by their revolution that they can attain re-
they may safely violate every well founded rule OF
political economy without the slightest punishment
Taxes on persons have never been very popular and
you may imagine that the working OF the very crude
system of the Minister OF Finance VIII prove no cx-
complaints OF the unfarness OF the impost
come IN fromc very quarter and especially
began: The people complain that 1t is not
equabie and fair In It's operations. Some people with
handsome income pay nothing, while others, with
60 contribute heavily TO the public treasury. The
system Is so fun OF loops and anomalies and obscure
provisions that II Will certainly fail In its aim II the
government attempt 20 enforce IL. II the effort Is
made II will unquestionaby meet with very general
opposltion-an opposition 50 strong that the gov
eminent will not 1eel justified in carrying II cut.
However, they will probably not care 70 push the
collection II the loan turns out successfully because
that viii give the government enough money
10 carry on afairs without testing the en-
durance Of the people. The financial question must
be resolved ~ the Cortes and until that body Is
sembled aud gives its legitimate approval to any
system Of taxation the people cannot he induced TO
calmly acqulesce. Everybody but the rev persons
who constitute the provisional government sees this
very clearly and perhaps the latter may be brought
20 fuller knowledge OF the subject when IL finds
time 10 view It in the light Of the dsquieting events
Transporting In the south Of Spain. The only safety
for the new order Of things seems to be In the conyo
cation Of Cortes elected by all the people and ex-
ercisng the fullest powers. Every days delay in
calling this body toy ler s fraugh with peril, and
II Is 10 be hoped that the government
will speedily issue the manifesto said TO
be already prepared TO effect this important Oh.
ject. Meanwhile the democrats gaining strength
with rapidly that has occasioned good deal OF
well founded alarm among the advocates OF 2 con.
fttutional monarchy both In the government and
without. large majority OF all the members Of the
different juntas lately dissolved throughout spain
and the adjacent Islands are democrats, and they
have preserved the organizations 10 advance the
principles they have adopted. In organization, en-.
terprise and ygor, not In brains, they
are superior to the other less progressive
parties, and in the strength and popu.
larity OF their doctrines among the middle and
lower classes they have advantage that the
friends Of a monarchy DO not enjoy. They are or
g1nlzing all over the peninsula and working like
beavers TO carry the coming election. Every days
Delay makes them stronger and unless the army Ia
brought in 10 play its customary part 1t is pretty
certain that the republicans or democrats for the
terms are synonymous mere, will sweep the neld;
but they need fear little danger from the use OF tue
army by their opponents, n reports are true.
u s. said, with q good deal OF reason, that the
army Is sery generally demorszed by late events