The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-14
PERU.

Political Matters-Trouble Between Congress
and the President-State Of the Treasury
The American CIaims-Terrlblc Havoc by
Yellow Fsver-A Weeks Honeymoon Fol-
lowed by Suicide. s... t...l t.s..e,.
LIMA, Nov. %. 1858.
For some time past, a. the readers Of the HERALD
have been already informed. there has existed q
want Of harmony between Congress and the Ex-
ecutive. This feeling has evidently arisen from the
political aspirations OF one two of the more in
nuential members, who, reviewing the history Of
Peru, and finding that Congress has been the most
prolific source OF revolutions, cherished the idea
that in this case some movement might be initiated
that would prove favorable to them But within
the last week this unfortunate opposition has taken
fresh and more vigorous start, and appears to be
directed principally against the Minister Of the In
terror, DE-. Galvez. 1t Is the custom In Peru to
call the members OF the Cabinet before Congress
and interrogate them concerning the proceedings Of
the government, thus creating the highly unplea-
SAINT position for the Minister OF single defendant
against nearly two hundred opponents. Lately the
Minister referred to was obliged to pass tn rough
this ordeal irritated. doubtless by the violent
attacks OF his adversares, lost for few moments
his customary calmness and made several contra
dictory statements concerning the action OF the
Executive in some internal affairs, which were
eagerly seized upon by the opposition and converted
weapons
cution Ii apparent enough. In Peru changes Of
Cabinet are looked upon by the people at large
with great displeasure and few incidents tend SO
much to the dlscredit Of government as the resig
nation OF one set OF councillors and the appointment
OF another So at the present time every little pretext
Is improved by the opposition In order, by force OF
worrying to the advisers OF President Bata to
yacate their posts and thus inspire that feeling OF
dissatisfaction among the people which would
quickly be famed into something more dangerous.
such Is the programme OF the antagonists OF the
h Congress has been busily discussing several pro
iects which OF considerable Importance Callao
has long felt the necessity Of mole wharf where
ships could discharge their cargo escaping the pre-
sent Inconvenience and heavy costs. The govern
ment commenced such work several years ago;
but the progress 10 exceedingly slow that q
prominent business house In Lima has made pro-
position for the construction OF comm0dous
wharf, giving to the government certain portion OF
the annual receipts but retaining the work as pr-
vate property for forty years. great deal OF oppo
stion Is manifested to the plan ss l. would seem to
TO such monopoly; but 1t must be taken into con-
sideraton that the present staue Of the country's
finances will probably prevent the accomplishment
OF the idea on the part of the government. pro-
feet Is also under discussion for the establishment OF
thorough system Of internal duties on oil mercan-
tile documents, and this Is probably the first
step towards the organization OF that taxa
tion which WIN be absolutely necessary on
tempted during Colonel Prado's administration, was
the first cause OF the popular DISSATISFACTION which
lost him his position In Peru. The Treasury Ia still
in a lamentable state Of deficit. The Minister, q
clear headed, able man, has proposed several plans
70 Congress for the Improvement OF this important
department. but nnancerng does not appear to be
the specially OF the present Congress- ana the time
occupied in discussing his ideas ~ very valuable.
The plan generally favored Is TO raise loan from
the guano companies granting them very moder-
ate Interest, but compensatlng them by extending
the time OF the contract they at present hold. The
consigning companies are ready to accept these
TERMS but Congress Ii always an obstacle IL Is vul
carly supposed In Peru that the companies lmen-
the expectation OF the guano ITSELF but such Idea
serroneous. Their great source OF gain arises from
the Intimate relations held by them with the govern
ment aud the numerous opportunities which occur
10 make favorable negotiations with the Treasury
they in fact being the national bankers and having
In many cases the nation at their not over tender
mercies. Something must however, be speedily
done towards repenishing the public coffers, since
the army and employees In general are In arrears OF
is irnmense The Minister s conceded 20 be equal TO
vhe emergency but hampered, as l have remarked,
by the tardy action OF the legislative body. Colonel
Balta has appointed az Minister OF Justice Dr. Theo-
.0ore la Rosa, one Of the judges OF the supreme
Court and the appointment Is very generally APP
proved. It ia now hoped that ~ Mr.. Barrenechea,
the Minister OF Foreign Affairs, who has been IN
charge OF the Department OF Justice Tor some time
past, win now be at more liberty, the claims OF
&9erican citizens against this government, 70 winch
nave referred In previous letters VIII De arranged
nc ,ne proposition OF o mixed commission ior .ne
settlomens OF this question, made BY our Minister
mas yet been made; but Il believed that the pro.
p09ol Will be roQnr0ed favornhlv. In the meantime