The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-20
COMPOSITION OF THE SPANISH
CORTES.
From The N. Y. Tribune.


From the NJ Y Tribune.
The dispatches which came by cable an
nouncing the entire success of the Govern
ment party in the Spanish elections, are not
confirmed by the fuller advices received by
mail. These indicate that the Ministry will
have no more than bare majority for the
transaction of business in the present Cortes.
The Ministry counts only 1S5 supporters to
confront an opposition numbering ia. 1t is
true that this opposition is by no means
homogeneous, embracing, in fact, the most
violent political adversaries. There are 81
republicans, 81 Carlists, 4S conservatives, and
friends of Espartero. 1t would seem i'm
possible to harmonize, even on apoint of order,
such furiously conflicting elements-but in
reality coalition for given purpose is fire.
quently formed, and successfully carried out,
by the fractions we have mentioned. The
Government phalanx is not much more COM
pact or trustworthy. 1t consists of 100
Progresistas, 45 Unionists, and 20 Demo-
Gratis, AS long as the powerful social and
political influence of General Prim remained,
there seemed some prospect of holding this
motley party together; but 1t requires little
foresight to predict the wrapglings and jea-
lousies which will soon pervade it, when the
distribution of the prizes of place and power
occupies the attention of the Cabinet. Already
there is feeling of some bitterness among
the Progresistas that the Unionists have re-
ceived so unequal q share of the spoils of
Office from the new dynasty. SerraDo, the
head of that small but able party of intri-
gants, is President of the Council and natu-
rally favors his own partisans at the expense
of the old friends of Prim. The Dem ocrats
are liable at any moment to follow their
natural inclinations and unite with the Re-
publicans, with whom they have far more
sympathy than with the reactionary and time
serving Unionists.
On the other hand, the opposition is SO
divided that it is inefficient for any other pur-
pose than to retard legislation and embarrass
the proceedings of the majority. There can
be no point in common in matters of principle
or policy between the Republicans and the
Carlists, and yet they agree so heartily iu their
epmity to the dynasty of Savoy that in the
elections, where the canvass showed a majority
of one of these parties, the other sustained its
candidates against the official nominees In
addition to these coalesced champions of
liberty and despotism, there are IN the op-
position benches some half hundred so-called
conservatives, chiefly old-fashioned place.
holders, who expect to share again in the
emoluments of Office if the Queen or her son
returns. The eight Esparterists are worthy
old gentlemen, who have a fellow-feeling for
the gray hairs of the hero of Logrono,
and who can be thoroughly relied on never to
| do an improper or practicable thing.
1t will be difficult for Chamber thus COM
| posed to effect any really decisive legislation
in favor of the present dynasty or against it.
! OF course there is no possibility of the slen.
der fractions of Republicans, Absolutists, or
| Alfonsists doing anything to change the form
| of government to their own advantage. But
| it is none the less evident that the Ministry
will be greatly restrained and hampered by
the scantiness of its MAJ ority and the fear OF
| furfbar dafaotiana II will ha AZ
that in the late Constituent Assembly the
united opposition TO the candidature of Prince
| Amadeus numbered only 120 members. In
the recent contest the opposition has succeeded
in ia districts. Some of the deputies elect
are ineligible others have been chosen il
several places. But MIR. Garrido, in commu
nication lately printed, estimates the opposi
ton members who will take their seat
this session as not less than 100. No govern
ment in Spain considers itself permanent
with an opposition so numerous as this.
| represents a more powerful and importan
constituency than the majority. The fou
great cities of Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, anC
Valencia send twelve Republican to fou
Monarchieal deputies. The same proportion
is seen in the secondary cities, and every
where in the considerable towns and village
the Republican vote is unexpectedly large
The rural districts, as in France, are NOR
under the influence of the priesthood and O
Government officers, and so make good th
losses incurred in the centres of population
and intellioenoe The vote of Madrid i