The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-08
SKETCH OF ALcANTARA's CAREER.

General Alcantara gallant soldier of the lib
cra party in that country, who bore prominent
part in the revolutions of 1863 1868 and 1870. In
the first named year the unitarian party headed by
the brothers Monagas was overthrown by the fed
erals, under General Juan Crisostomo Falcon and
Confederation Of States with large local powers
formed in place of the previous centralized govern
ment This change sanctioned by the constitn-
ton of March 49, 1864, and General Falcon became
President for the term of four years beginning
March Is. 1865. Before the expiration Of
his term however, many Of his sup
porters became dissatisfied and in 1868 fusion Of
the chief elements of opposition effected under
the auspices Of General NJ. A. Roas and by the Con-
venton of Antimano, May 10. 1868, General BrNzual
was designated Acting President and General Roas
as Commanler-in-Chef. This agreement soon
violated by Bruzual, who displaced Rojas from the
command
BLANco REGIME.
Meanwhile the public dissatisfaction with both the
contendng ceftains took form under the veteran
ex- President General Jose Tadeo Monagas. who
headed the blue Revolution, composed of the NAL
contents Of all parties After sanguinary battle ut
the gates of Caracas. June g. 1868, that capital
taken, and August Is Puerto Cabelo. the last
stronghold of Falcon surrendered to the Blue
Revolution. Monagas was elected President October
4, but died November 49, and Professionally
cecded by General venancio Pulgar Governor OF the
State Of Zulia In February OF the following year
Congress deposited the Executive power in the joint
hands Of General Jose Rupcrto Monagas and DR..
Gulermo Villegas until election could be held.
General Pulgar soon broke into rebellion in Zulia.
aided by Domingo and Gregorio Monagas and by the
ory near coro, PaIsar was defeated at Msracabo
October 81 1869, when that city stormed
and Pugar thrown into prison in Fort San
the winter Of isss7o powerful organization Of the
Guzman Blanco. former partisan of Falcon. who
after three days of fighting took OF Caracas
onal President. with extraordinary powers. by the
Congress at Valencia July 49, 1870. and three years
elected President for the term of four years
beginning February ~, 1878.
ELECTED PRESIDENT
The federal constitution Of 1864 restored and
General Mcantara. who had figured prominently ut
the side Of Falcon and Guzman Banco in the cam
paigns above narrated was appointed May l6. 1873.
.primer dcsignado' first substitute. an Office
equivalent to vice president. At the expiration Of
the term of Guzman Blanco. no election having been
made by the people General Alcantara was chosen.
by the Congress his two competitors Zavala and
Acosta for the term Of two years only, beginning
February 20, 1877 in accordance with the
May ~, 1874. General Alcantara a very
young man for the discharge of high an
oic having been little above forty years of age
his death He was a native OF the state OF Aragria OF
which hc had been president Governor. while act
ing Vice President OF the Republic He was simply
soldier having little education, and seemed to take
Guzman Banco as his model At his own socita-
ton the Venezuelan Congress conferred upon him
the honorary title Of ..tiran Democrata,' or great
democrat His cabinet consisted of DIR. Ieantro
vianueva Minister of the Interior and of Justice
DR.. Andueza, of Foreign Affairs: DIR. A. Urancta, OF
Finance. and General J. Crespo, Of War and Navy.
At the outset OF his term Of Office and condition
OF his recognition he obliged to sign. with his
competitors the compromise Of Macuto," February
~, 1877. President Alcantaras term of Of
Nee was disturbed by several revolutionary
movements. chiefly proceeding from malcontcnts Of
his own party. such : General vcnaurio Pulgar
DIR. Diego Bausta Urbaneia and General Jose Ignacio
Puldo, the two latter being especial friends of Gz-
man Banco. Urbancja is at the present time at the
head of revolutionary force. while Puiido is
prisoner in the dungeons OF Laquayra
JUSTICE GUTIERREZ.
The Chief Justice Of the High Federal Court, Gen
era Jacinto Gutierrez, who by virtue of the constu
ton of 1874 has assumed the Presidency IL lawye
aud soldier Of the State of Guyana, who Finance
Minister under Guzman Blanco and has been
Governor of his own state. He IL above seventy
years of age and Is man Of some administrative
ability, but IL not likely to be a successful
candidate for the Presidency. The outlook is ut
all clear. Falcon is dead Monagas has long since
abandoned politics and Guzman Blanco is Minister in
Paris, but there il lack of competitors for the
vacant post The most prominent OF the friends of
Alcantara liz perhaps his Prime Minister, DIR. Villa
nueva, while Urbancja Pulido and the restless Pull
gar may be depended ON to press their own claims.
The chances that iuzman Blanco will ultimately
caray on the prize. Visitors to the Centennial Ex.
position at Philadelphia will remember the three
statues of that General there exhibited one being Of
colossal size and another equestrian bronze.
They have all been erected at Caracas during the
yenr