The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-01-18
Hone then Elect I'm Peru.

lFrom Richard Gibbs's letter to Secretary Fish.
1 have the honor to inform you that
the election for President of the Republic
commenced on Sunday, the 18th of Octo-
Der, and, by law, supposed to continue
for eight days, is virtually over, Gen.
Mariana Ignacio Prado being the success
full candidate. 1t is difficult to under
stand the politics of the country, except
by a residence; there does not appear to
be any particular principles al stake,
nor, as in our country, party platforms,
but merely personal ambition. The two
candidates were Gen. Mariana Ignacio
Prado, who had filled the Presidential
chair previously, during 1866 81, being
placed in power by a revolution in De
cember, 1865, and ousted by another in
January, 1868, and Rear Admiral Liz,
ardo Montero. Mr.. Prado is supposed
to have been sustained by the party in
power to-day, Rear Admiral Lizardo
Montero being the candidate in opposi-
ton. From what 1 could observe dur
ing my short residence here since my
arrival, ! should judge that the adher-
ents of Prado were more numerous in
the higher classes, and composed of the
more respectable part of the population.
To an American citizen, the elections are
apparently decided more by force than
by suffrage. The tables or polling booths
are placed in open spaces or squares, one
in each parish, and the party who takes
the booth and holds it, is the successful
one. 1t is well known that both parties
had been arming for some time past +;
conflicts had been numerous and fire.
quent between the clubs of the rival can
didates, causing bloodshed and death.
|, AS the day of the taking of the booths
approached, fears were entertained of a
bloody strife, and great alarm existed
, amongst all classes. On the afternoon
: of the 18th, all stores were closed, and
the streets nearly deserted, the various
1 clubs were formed, armed and placed il
! buildings near the polling-tables, tt
! begin the strife during the night, so a
! to have them by daylight. About mid
: night firing could be heard in variou
parts of the city, which lasted unit
about six in the morning, except in tn
i parish of Santa Ana, where the contes
!, was held out until about 10 a. NJ; tn
= adherents of Prado had taken all tn
polling-tables, and by this act he wa
declared the successful candidate. B.
kilograms from various parts of the Re
g public up to this date, it appears tina
|. the same result was attained in the grea
majority of provinces heard from. L
Lima the number of deaths o~ficiall
d given is twenty-five, and wounded som
Of sixty or more. The military and polio
" arrangements of the Government to PR
serve order were most admirably carrie
. out; if they had not been, the loss of Lii
te would have been immense, and the strii
would have lasted many days. A
1T establishments, banks, hotels and store
is were closed great parts of the inhab
= tants were in their houses with close
i. doors, and the city had the appearane
of a place afflicted and abandoned du
ing the two days, the 18th and 1Stl
Yesterday all was going on as usua
Il No attacks on persons or property ha'
y taken place; the bloodshed was on,
ms between the political CLUBS of either ca
W didates.