Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-02-07

| ppdhi are just HOW Vi more interesting
character than those existing between
the United States and any other Euro
pean country. \ proposed reciprocity
treaty between the federal government
and Spain lives in the senate ready to
be discussed with the view to either its
rejection or ratification by the statesmen
who constitute that body. One effect of
its being ratified would be securing CuLa
a reprieve flom bankruptcy and ruin,
result only second in importance, to the
people of this country, to the effect
which the treaty would have on their
own social condition and business posi-
ton.
In its heme political life Spain is un-
happy, which is an element of painful
interest to the many who love and adj
mire that ancient land renowned in
story. Unless successful foreign policy
shall save the cabinet headed bv Canovas
it Will soon give place to an qdministra-
ton probably of a dangerously opposite
character. A conservative. reactionary
policy IS now dominant, one fercely
assailed by an able antagonism which
not only threatens conservative suprem-
acy, but to sweep away existing institu-
! tions.
The young king who rules Spain is
having an anxious experience. His
tenure of the crown is most precarious.
being dependent on the good will of the
army, which is said to be largely infiu-
enced by the revolutionary opinions
distributed by Zorrilla from his place of
safety in foreign country. Perhaps
even worse than this to bear by sover-
eign who has always manifested tender
regard for the welfare of his subjects,
are the consequences of the terrible
visitations of earthquakes In some of
the provinces of Spain, which have
killed many persons and otherwise in
fiicted incalculable loss and injury,
Then, too, Alfonso himself is slowly
wasting away, the victim of an incurable
consumption. 2 1915
Enough has been said of Spain and
her sovereign to make opportune the
presentation Of a portrait and sketch of
Alfonso XII, in whose case'is once more
verified the words of Shakespeare:
Uneasy lies the head that wears a
crown" ..-.. E
The reigning king of Spain was born
Nov. 2S, 1857. He is the son of Queen
Isabel and the Infante Francisco. His
mothers reign was succeeded by pro-
ylslonal government in 1868; Marshal
SerfanO was made regent in 1869; and
Prince Amadeo, son of Victor Emmanuel,
became king, 1870. In 1873 Spain was
constituted a republic with the cortes as
the executive as we'll as legislative power
This was succeeded in 1874 by the presi.
dency of Marshal Serrano. On Dec. 81
1874, Alfonso was proclaimed king, and
on Jan. 8 next ensning he assumed the
dignified position which he has NAN
aged to hold ever since. During the
interim between his leaving Spain after
his mothers addiction of the crown and
his assumption Of sovereign duties, Al
fonso received an English military edu-
cation at Woolw,ch, neal. London.
Although 50 young man Alfonso has
Decn twice married. His first wife was
the Princess Marie.de-las Mercedes,
Youngest daughter of of the Due de
MeutI ensier. to whom he was united
January 23, 1s78 He was left widow
er in tie same year. In November 1879,
he was married, in second nuptials, to
the An,hduchess Marie Christina of
Austria. The offspring of the second
unicn is a daughter, named after the
first wife. I'D -EHib4 9lI'e 10
To consolidate has power Alfonso bas
cultivated influential friendships with
foreign potentates His visit 10 GERMANY
in the early fall OF 1883, will be remem-
bered by every reader, associated as it
was with the insulting conduct of mob
in Paris, which beset him while travel
ing, and vented an unreasonable spite
by kissing him publicly because he had
accepted from the emperor William the
colonelcy Of German regiment.
Spain Is not wealthy country, but
the total amount of the civil list and
allowances TO the relatives Of the king
is more than two million dollars a year.
The constitution under which she is
governed was proclaimed June 80, 1876.
Its first article enacts that Spain shall be
a constitutional ponarchv, the executive
resting in the king, and the power to
make the laws I'm the Cortes with the
king" The cortes are composed of a
senate and congress equal in authority.
Ministers are responsible. but the king
is inviolable. Nine men constitute the
council OF ministers, in which under the
king, the executive is vested.
In unusually trying circumstances
from the beginning, Alfonso XII has
manifested kiagly courage and sagaeity.
While no true American can lie in
sympathy with the reactionary cabinet
under which Spain. seems 10 be again
drifting toward revolution, the downfall
OF Alfonso in consequence ofacts not his
own, would be generally regretted in
this and other Countries, but this i
among the considerable possibilities of
the year 1885, should the young king
lives long enough 10 endure the full
force of the intrigue, discomfort and adj
ministfatiye error which threaten the