The New York herald., 1871-01-14
PERU.
The Situation "A administrative Ideas-Frenci
Captures the Coast-t;eneval News.
IA1.n

The situation illustrative Ideas-Freneh
/ Captures Oa the Coast-t;eneral News.
LIMA, Dec. II, 1870.
! Tac past week has been marked by no event OF
| great importance. Congress appears to have re-
nquisned the systematic attacks upon the admins
ration formerly INDUCED in with such frequency
and Is deyotiag itself TO The serious consideration Of
the estimates presented by the Minister OF the Trea
sury for the government expenses during
the next two years. Slnguary for Peru,
there IS not one rumor sign OF revolution
at the present time, 4 phenomenon that
greatly disconcerts number OF the people, fears
being entertained OF some dire calamity about
to befal the country from sucn unusual presage.
The larger portion OF the community, however, view
the wonder III proper light, and correctly attribute
1t to the fact that money can now lie more easily
made IN Peru with the plough than with artillery
very convincing proof has recently been given
by the government OF Colonel Balta OF its decided
determination to proceed rs far possible In the
interesting question Of public works.
AS has been frequently mentioned in this CORE
spondence, there is probably no other country in the
world where proportonate degree OF progress has
been manifested during the last two years Every
means has been adopted for carrying out the wise
designs OF the government, and now i appears that
the work is to be pushed forward with redoubled
energy.
AT the invitation or the Minister OF Finance a mum.
ber OF the most prominent Senators and Deputies
met In council a few nights SINCE the Minister open
ing the session by declaring that the governments,
leaving on one side all party feelings aud preudces
desired to become acquainted with the OF the
leaders or Congress on subjects most interesting to
the country at large.
The administration, In order to proceed with It's
ideas Of Improvement, required certain bases to be
established by Congress- in conformity with which
inc means necessary ior te construction OF various
the delay and vexatlon now attendant on such de-
mands when submitted for Congressional action.
lt was proposed that q select committee from the
House ana Senate should take the matter into con-
sderatton; fix the cost OF the different lines already
surveyed; determine the figure ut which bonds
for the payment should be issued; establish the sys-
TEN by which the redemption OF the bonds should
be enected regulate tue present very defective
plan OF taxation and in ine so proceed as to leave
the government perfectly unembarrassed. The
Minister'S propositions were most favoraby re-
celvcd. The committee was appointed and Is now
at work. The advantages OF this arrangement are
so evident as TO require no commentary save that OF
praise.
At last new municipality has been appointed for
Lima consisting of some OF the most distinguished
citizens OF the capital nOtables they called
here. 1t has been before remarked In this CORE
spondencc that great dissatisfaction existed ac-
count OF the removal OF the old corporation through
whose efforts the city had been signay benefited;
but the promises and character Of the present In
cumbcnts give reason to believe that the order
OF things Will be continued. The municipal system
in Peru IS rather peculiar, the government being
obliged to contribute large sums of money
for the support OF the principal towns
and cities hence the Mayor ana Common Council
are under the direct authority OF the Prefect an
onlcer appointed by the Minister OF the Interior
Probably no branch OF the public service In Luna
has been more carefully attended to within the last
few years than the city fire department. In addi
ton TO the engines belonging TO the corporation
and worked by the police force there are three ad
mirably organized companies, composed respect
lively OF Italian, French and Peruvian yolun-
teers. These companies have on many &C.
casions proved OF the most effective
vice, dating back from the bonbarimeng
or Callao, In 1866, when they remained all day
under the enemles' fire, guarding the valuable Gus.
toms warehouses. Only few nights since the Ita.
liam company subdued a very. formidable connagra.
ton in the Convent or the Merced, In which two of
their number were crushed to death by the falling
tmbers. The Peruvian organization some time ago
gave superb bull fight, dev0ling the proceeds to
the purchase Of an Ameskeag steam fire engine
which so fax has proved rather expensive toy,
since no one can be found TO compoIenty direct ii.
In the fire referred to, however 1t did some service
by throwing an immense column Of water upon
the terrified friars who were decidedly benefited by
the unusual abluion.
The French vessels of.war cruising along this
coast have not been idle during The past month A
fortnight since the steamer LamO.te- Ptquet cap
tured OF AREA the German ship Aug>s. from Ham.