Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-04-12

G-dn OulllnAO commissioners j
The report opens by giving the reso-
luton under which the Commission
was appointed. They traversed the
Dominican Republic from end 10 end.
IN several directions, either by agents
or IN person They spent several
weeks at the capitol, in daily confer
nee with the President and chief
Oflcers OF the Government, m eN-
amining official records, and as at all
other places in constant intercourse
with the people, and taking testi-
mOny.
The present Government Isl tbeo-
~ a Constitutional Republic. Ac-
corning 70 the Constitution, the Gov
Is divided into three branch
es, Executive, Legislative, aud Judi
cial. The first consists of a Presi-
dent and Vice President, elected by
an electoral college for six years,
with a difference Of three years in the
time of their election. Both Presi-
dent and Vice President are Ineligible
70 the Presidency during the follow
ing term
The President appoints a Council Of
State, consisting of Minister of Public
Instruction, Interior, Police aud Agri-
culture Of Public Works. Commerce,
War and Marine. On Que of these
four Ministers the duties OF Minister
of Foreign Relations devolve, at the
will Of the President.
The legislative branch Of the Gov
eminent consists Of a Senate, elected
by primary assemblies, and has two
members for the city of San Domingo,
two for Santiago, and u for each Of
the other provinces and Districts
nine in all. These hold Office six
years, and may be reelected.
Each province and district has a
government, and each parish and
military post has a cOmmandant,
nominated by the Executive, aud re-
sponsible to him. The Own are
governed by a GuntamiatOs or cOuu-
ell, elected by primary assemblies for
three years.
The Judiciary consists of Supreme
Court, whose seat is at the capital,
with a President four Ministers and
n Attorney General, who reehOseh
by the Senate from nominations made
10y the electoral college, and who hold
office five years.
In every province and district there
is a court sitting in the respective
capitals, consisting of a Judge, Prose
cutOr and Attorney General, all nom
mated by the executive and holding
Office for i've yeaS. 1t was found
that this court had, in many parts OF
the Republic, fallen into disuse.
Finally, each town and parish, or
commune, has an Alcalde appointed
by the Executive, and holding office
at his pleasure, and corresponding to
Justices Of the Peace. In the lat
ter Ease the practice is far better than
the theory. In all parts of the Re
public it was found that the Alcaldes
held Office virtually during good be-
havior.
The Commissioners found a Gov
eminent organized and in operation
in all its departments, exercising
every function of Government, with
General Baez as Chief Magistrate, in
full and ~peaeeable possession of all
part IN the Republic, except en- the
Haytien border, which Is disturbed
by insurrectiouary leaders, aided by
Haytiens aud political intriguers.
These are melted to be active at this
time by fear of annexation to the
United States. From all the Commits
sioners could ascertain, President
Baez has the respect of a great ma
jority of the Dominican people for
his administrative ability, and strong
attachment 70 many leading men.
who regard him as the only states
man among them who can hold the
nation against domestic factions and
foreign foes.
The Commissioners do not find that
Fhnra il anVT rnnnnnnH .. Wha .unHn-H
administration Of the Republic, who
has now or who ever had any claim
70 the chief magistracy by a title
superior TO the present incumbent.
Whatever technical defects there
might have been in his original title
70 The office, II was confirmed by a
national convention, and ratified by
the assent and support Of the people. !
The frequency of civil eommotlon
during e long period, and consequent
insecurity of property, have paralyzeO
industry aud discouraged accumula-
ton, and so impoverished the country
that Tor the last two years the finan-
cial resources Of the Government
have been inadequate to pay expenses.
The instructions which still exist
are led by Cabral and Luperon. The
former of these is universally con
ceded to be the more important, but
neither has a distinct flag or a regu-
larly organized army.
The Commissioner find that Cabral
,lOes not claim to be the legal head OF
the Republic; that he does net claim
to represent the principal, cOnstitu-
tional or legal authority. This is
shown by the fact that 10 his procla-
nation, and In a communication to
the Commission, he styles himself
''Chief RevOlutionist." The force a.
Cabrals command does not exceed a
few hundred men.
The Commissioners believe that
had the revOlutionists welded only
their Own forces and resources, they
would long ago have been put down.
Their importance is derived from the
help Of foreign intriguers. and from
the fact that behind them stands the
Haytien nation, which has nearly
three times the population of Dominf-
ca, which has never relented in its
aggressive policy, and at whose head
is at present a bloody instruction.
All these difficulties the Commits
siOners believe wOulddisappear should
the Dominican Republic be effectu-
ally protected by connection with a
nation.
In almost all parts Of the country,
even to the remotest, the people were
found to be familiar with the cues
ton Of annexation to the United
and have discussed it among
themselves with intelligence. They, {
generally, declared their belief thai
the strong arm of this Republic, TAX :
Ing them under protection as part of
this nation, would end the efforts and
hopes Of every revolutionary leader.
and establish law, order and pros
The Incorporation into the public
sentiment of a feeling strongly favor (
able to annexation 70 the United 4
in preference to any other
power, is partially due to the presence {
n various parts OF the country, of !
small colonies of cOlored people, for
nerly from the United States. I
The resources OF the country are .
rast and various, and its production J
nay be increased. There is evidence J
If mineral wealth in several parts Of
he island. y
There is hardly any portion of the
sland not capable Of cultivation, and
AIKEN as q whole il is one of the most =
ertile regions on the face Of the earth. 4
The agricultural products include all
ropical fruits and vegetables. as well
IS commercial staples. I