The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-01-23
VIOLENT DEATH or THE PRESIDENT
or BOLIVIA

Shakespeare.
VIOLENT DEA tn or THE PRESIDENT
or BOLIVIA.
The President of Bolivia, Gen Angus
tin Morales, was killed ON the night of
Nov. 27 last, in personal conflict which
he provoked while in a state of intoxica-
tion. For some months past Morales
had been on bad terms with the Legis-
lative Assembly of Bolivia, the disagree
ment arising from various causes, among
which might be noted as a principal the
desire entertained by the murdered
chieftain to obtain absolute possession
of the immensely valuable mines known
as the Aullagas, hoping thus to insure
his future prospects, and basing his as
pirations upon an alleged breach of the
mining laws of Bolivia on the part of
the proprietors of the treasure. Con-
gress had decidedly manifested an opin-
ion contrary to that expressed by the
President, and an open rupture was ap-
pretended. On the oath of November
being the anniversary of the overthrow
of Melgarejo, he had exceeded his usual
ibations, and in that state went to the
halls of Congress to use his personal in
fiuence over the members to induce
them to sanction his project about GER
tain mines. Finding them not inclined
to yield, he upbraided them in the most
insulting language, but finally was in
duced to retire. While the members were
discussing the behavior of the President
an officer and a few troopers made their
appearance at the doors. All the mem
bers stood TO their posts and were not to
be intimidated. Morales, finding that
Congress did not dissolve, became en-
ragged at every one near him. He
threatened to have his Chief Minister
shot, and the Minister took refuge at
the United States Legation. Putting
the troops under arms, he then proceed
ed to the Capitol and declared Congess
at an end. This step inspired profound
disgust in the Presidential Cabinet. The
Ministers resigned, with the exception
of Gen. Sanginez, who WIS rewarded
for his constancy with the position of
Prime Counselor to the falling power.
The popular agitation continued; groups
were formed in the streets, and dis
persed by military. Morales, in his
palace, gave himself up to debauchery
and rage. He was constantly in fear of
assassination.
On the 25th of November the Presi-
dent was still under the same influence.
At o'clock on the evening of that day,
his nephew, Commander. La Faye. en-
tered the room where the President
was conversing with his daughter and
read letter, which had been discovered
in the building, proceeding from some
unknown individual. In this letter the
President was informed that, during
that same night, his aids-de-camp pro
posed taking him prisoner. Touched
on his tender spot, the timidity cf
Morales was instantly converted into
fury. He rushed to the saloon, whe~e
his aids we're passing the hours away in
rOcaDlbOr, the whist OF South America,
and, addressing them in the most vio-
lent manner, expressed his entire want
of confidence in their fidelity. In vain
the aids-de-camp demonstrated with the
infuriated President; in vain his nephew
La Faye, implored him to desist from
insulting gratuitously the few friends
remaining 70 him; in vain the daughter
of the doomed man begged him to re-
tire; all was useless; blows, epithets,
and curses we're showered upon his Of
ficers by the President, absolutely be-
side himself with wine and anger. Two
of the aids received these insults with
out reply; but La Paye, enraged and
humiliated by the outrage, drew his re-
volver. and, firing six shots at Gen.
Morales, inflicted six wounds on his
victim-one in the face, two in the
breast, and three in the head. Morales
remained standing until the last shot
was discharged, and then, turning slow
ly round, fell into the arm Of his daagh-
ter, who gently and sorrowfully con-
veyed him to a sofa, where in a short
hour, he gasped ont his life. La Faye
fed, reached his barracks in safety,
placed his battalion under arms, and
then disappeared.
The people knew nothing Of the assas-
sination until the next morning. and
when the news was made public the
same order and tranquility was OBJ
served which had been noticed during
the four previous days Of trouble and
inqHietude. The Chamber Of Deputies
Immediately assembled the Council Of
State was chosen, and Don Tomas Friss
assumed the supreme command in vir-
the Of his Office as President Of the
Council. His associates are men Of
distinguished ability. According 70 the
laws of Bolivia, there Is NO necessity for
a Presidential election until sueh time
as the present Council Of State may
complete the term Of four years. the
period designated for the occupancy Of
the supreme power BY the elect Of the
people. But il is possible that the
Council Of State. unwilling 20 continue
IN their newly acquired supremacy.
may call for election. aud IN tisat case
the probabilities point toward the seiec-
ton Of Don Adeife Hdiisiaa = t'fssi.
sent q lssiisla