The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-07
SAN DOMINGO COMMISSION


SAN DOMINGO COMMISSION.
Report ofthe Commissioners to the
rrssident-The character Of the
xalaud, its People,. Resources,
Prod uctions, Climate, Govern
mont, gtrifes, and Prospects un-
der Annexation.
In accordance with the resolution, the
Commissioners proceeded TO the Island of
San Domingo. They trsversed the Domin-
lean Republic from end to end in several
directions, either by their agents or in per
son-the Commissioners crossing II from
south to north, and the others from east TO
west. They spent several weeks at the cap
ital, IN daily conference with the PRESIDENT
aud chief officers OF the Government, IN ex>
Rmining official records, and at all other
places IN constant intercourse with the PEG
pie, and taking testimony OF Witnesses
They visited the vicinity Of the western Dor
der of the country, where it was reported
there were disturbances, and remained
week at the capital of the neighboring Re
public of Hayti, where some supplementary
Investigations were made of the political
state and condition and form OF government.
The present Government of the dominican
Republic is, 10 theory, constitutional Re-
public. According to its constitution, the
Government is divided into three branches
- the executive, the legislative, and the iu-
diciA. The first consists of President and
Vice President, elected by an electoral col
lege for term Of six years, with difference
OF three years in the times of their election
Both President and Vice President are incl
igibIe to the Presidency during the follow.
ing term.
COUNCIL OF STATE,
consisting of minister of public instruc-
ton, interior, police, and agriculture, Of
public works, commerce, war, and marine.
On one of these four ministers the duties OF
ministers of foreign relations deyOlve at the
will OF the President The leg .sative branch
of the Government consists of q Senate
"Senado Consulto," elected By primary as
semblies, and has two members for the city
of San Domingo, two for Santiago, and one
for each OF the other provinces and districts,
Il inc mem bers in all These hold their off
cas- yearly, and may be recollected each
province and district has a government, and
each parish and military post has com
mandant, nominated by the Executive and
responsible 10 him.
THE TOWNS.
are governed by agunta niAtos, or councils
elected by primary assemblies for three
years. The judiciary consists OF a Supreme
Court, whose seat is at the capital, with a
President, four Ministers, and one Attorney
General, who ara chosen by the Senate
from nominations made by the electoral
college, and who hold Office five years.
In every province and district there is
COURT oE FIRST INSTANCE
sitting in the respective capitals, consisting
OF q Judge, Prosecutor ana Attorney Gene
raj, all nominated by the Executive and
holding office five years. 1t Was found tina,
this court had in many parts of the Repub-
lie fallen into disuse. Finally, each town
and parish or commune has an aLlico ap
pointed By the Executive and holding office
at his pleasure and corresponding to our
JUSTICE or THE PEACE.
In this latter case the practice is certainly
far better than the theory. In all parts o
the Republic it WAS found that the alca ,de
held office virtually during good behavior
and not one was found whose character die
not inspire respect.
CONDITION OF COUNTRY.
The Commissioners found the cover
ment organized and in complete operation
in all its departments exercising every fuuc
ton OF a legitimate government, with Gen
Bunsventurs Baez as chief magistrate, il
full and pescsble possession of Gil parts c
the Republic, except on the Haytien border
which is disturbed by insurrectionary lead
ers, aided by Haytiens and political intrig
uers. These are melted to be extraordnar
lily active at this time, BY fear Of annexation
to the United States. From all that tht
Commissioners could ascertain, Presiden
BAez has the respect of great majority {
the Dominican people for bis administrative
abilities and strong attachments 10 many
leading men, who regard him ss
THE ONLY STATESMAN AMONG THEM
who cGu hold them against domestic fac
tions and foreign foes. In lS4S, after five
wears of anarchy, consequent upon the ex
puIsiou OF the Hayden power, Gen. Baea
WAS regularly elected President OF the Re
public. 1t appears that he was chosen O.
the man who, by his education, fortune, aut
public services, would be most likely t
secure the general confidence and to hes
the wounds inflicted by civil and foreign
wars. In one of the delegations Of leadin
citizens who rendered TO him the chief ma.
istracy, was
GEN. CABRAL.
There is audible testimony to the fac
that under him, despite to difficulties thu
have bsset him, the Republic has enjoyed q
much liberty as any of his predecessor
dared to allow, and more Tranquility tina
they knew how to give. Nor do the Com
mlssIoners find there Is any opponent
the present Administration OF that Republi
who has now, or who ever has had, an
claim to the chief msgislracy by title 81
perlOr to that of the present incum ben
Whatever technical defects there might ha'
been in his original title to Office il WI
confirmed by the National Convention, at
ratified by the assent and support OF Il
people. The frequency of civil commotiC
during long period, and the consequel
insecurity OF property, have paralyzed il
dusGrY, discouraged accumulation, and
impoverished the country that for the pa
two years the financial resources Of the GOV
eminent, as it's officers informed US, hay
been inadequate to pay expensea.
The insurrectionis, which still exist ar
headed by Cabral and Luperou. The 70
mer Of these ID universally conceded to
more important, but neither has a dlstin
flag or a regularly organized army.
The Commission found that CsbrAl do
not claim to be the legal head of the Repu
lie. That he does not claim to represe1
the principal constitutional or legal a
thority and ovder, is shown by the fact tn
in his proclamation and in d communicate
to the Com mission, he styles himsel: chi
OF the revolution, and journal pretendir