Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-26
SAN DOMINGO.
Favorable Report OF the commissio on

E4Y0r3O Die uGpOTt t1G GOnn nAt8bk Ons
As the report of the commissioners is
rather too lengthy to publish in full, we
give our readers an abri1gement which
contains the leading facts set forth in
that document. 1t is more favorable to
annexation than we expected it would
be, and If we need any more territory
which we question very much-doubt
less the acquisition Of San Domingo will
prove good Investment:
The report opens by giving the resolu
ton under which the commission of in
quiry was appointed. In accordan oe
with the resolution the commission pro.
ceeded to the island Of San Domingo.
They traversed the Dominican Republic
from end to end in several directions,
either by their agents or in person. one
commission crossing it from south 10
north aud another from east TO west
Thew spent several weeks at The capital
in daily conference with the president
aud chief officers Of the government, and
in examining the official records, ard as
at all other places, in constant intercourse
with the people and taking testimony Of
witnesses. They visited the vicinity of
the western border of the country, where
it WAS reported there were disturbances,
and remained a week nj The capital of the
neighboring Republic of Hayti. The
form Of government of
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
is in theory constitutional Republic.
According to its constitution the govern
ment is divided into three branches, exc.
cu,ive, legislative and judicial. The first
consists OF president and vice president
elected by an electoral college for term
of six years, with the difference of three
years in the time of their election. The
president and vice president are ineligi-
bic to the presidency during the follow
ing term: The president appoints the
council of State, consisting of u Minister
Of public instruction, interior, police and
agriculture, and of public works. CON-
merce, war aud marine.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Of the government consists of the Senate
(Senado Consulto) elected by primary
assemblies, aud has two members for
the city OF San Domingo, two for Santi
ago and one for each of the other prov
inces and districts-nine members in all.
These hold Office for six years and may
be re elected. Each province and dis
trict has government, and each parish
and military post has q conmandant
nominated by the executive and respons
sibIe to him. The towns are governed
by councils elected by primary assemblies
for three years.
THE JUDICIARY
consists os n supreme court, whose seat
is at the capital, with president. four
ministers aud m attorney general, all of
whom are chosen by the Senate from
nominations made by the electoral col
lege, and hold office for five years. Ia
every province and district there is a
court of the first instance sitting in the
respective capitals, consisting of Judge
and an attorney general, all nominated
by the executive holding Office for FIVE
years. 1t was found that this court had
in many parts of the republic, fallen into
dsuse. Finally, each town and parish,
or commune, has an alcade, appointed
by the executive and holding office at
his pleasure, and corresponding to our
justice of the peace.
THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.
The commissioners found the govern
ment organized and in complete opera
ton in all OF lis departments, exercising
every function Of legitimate government,
with Bsez rs chief magistrate; in full
aud peaceful possession of all parts OF
the republic, except on the Haytien Dor.
der, which is disturbed by instruction
AIRY leaders and by haytiens and politi
cal entriguers. These are melted to be
extraordinarily active mt this time by
fear of annexation ia the United States.
From all that the commissioners could
ascertain. President Baez has the respect
of the great majority of the Dominican
people for bis administrative abilities
aud the strong attachment of many led
ing men. who regard bin as the only
statesman among them who can hold the
nation against domestic faction and for
eign foes.
CIVIL CONNECTIONS.
The frequency of civil commotioas
during long period. and the consequent
insecurity of property, have paraly zed in
dustry, discouraged accumulation, and so
impoverished the country that for the
last two years the financial resources Of
the government, as its officers informed
US. have been inadequate to pay expenses.
Small colonies of negroes. formerly of
the United States. have created in vAri
Gus parts of the country strong senti
ment in favor Of annexation to the Unit
ed States.
THE INSTRUCTIONS,
which still exist, are headed by Cabral
and Luperon. The former is universally
conceded to be more important, but
neither has distinct flag or regularly
organized army. The commissioners find
that Cabrai does not claim to be the legal
head of the Republic, and in his procla
nation and communication to the com.
mission be styles himself chief of the