New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-28
vENEZUELA'S PRESIDENT.
a MODEL SOUTH AMERICAN RULER
GENERAL RAMON PAEz ON THE CHARACTER OF
DR. RoJAs PAUL.

DR. ROJAS PAUL.
yditoroJ TheT Tribune.
sir: The body Of General san Antonio Paes.
tormerly President OF Venezuela, upon its removal
last March from this city TO the country over which
paeg had ruled. accompanied by the old heros
kon General Ramon Paez. The latter was by the
side of his ustrous father during tho years In which
no was struggling for the liberation OF the infant
yenezuelan nation aud was hearty sympathzer with
hts fathers strong feelings of indignation and hatred
toward the subsequent rulers, whose methods OF
government he thought to Of tyranny and TO
threaten tho destruction Of the Government built UP
With so great struggles and sacrifices.
II NAV not be- therefore, without interest 70 the
readers Of The Tribune to learn the Judgment which
the old Presidents son passes upon the present heau
81 the Government Of Venezuela upon returning 10
hat country under the most interesting circumstances
and after many years OF absence In recent letter
which received from him he expresses sentiments
ppcn this subject which / have since obtained his
permission to send you for publication Below are
Duch extracts from his letter. H. v" ..
Rlyerdale, Oct IL. 1883.
In spite of the langosta (grasshoppers)' brtsh
bpoation and threatened revolutions the present crop
Of coffee corn and other staple productions OF 'hc
country promises largely to exceed ali previous ones
IN Quantity rs as quality. All that is needed IN
this fertile land bring It to the standard OF former
,mes Is lust and Intelligent Government. abundant
ways Of communication and immigration Of the proper
sort: for no soil and climate in the whole extent OF
he American Continent are better adapted TO the
PRODUCTIONS other lands than the fertile valleys ana
mountain ranges OF Venezuela Happily the Presi-
tentia squabbe so fruitful I'm turmoil and bloodsheu
IN the Gland Of Bolivar has been finally settled by
the selection OF Doctor Juan Pablo Rojas Paul, an
cxrrenced lawyer and statesman, TO conouct inc
arars of nation-unfortunately for short term
only Defended both the fathers and mothers
side from a most distinguished line of eminent law
yers and he himself equally expert in his profession
his advent to the first magistracy of the Republic
although at first cncountering strenuous opposition
iron the followers Of Crespo. former President III
tbessme line OF politics DR.. Roias Paul, he has been
haicd throughout the Republic with unbounded grah-
aron for his wise and unobtrusve policy from the
start In the teeth of formidable insufrection
headed by bold and ambitious leader, the former
hts down quietly I'm his cabinet aud with one stroke
b the pen orders all political prisoners throughout the
,ountry to be set at liberty Internationally, and the
bOrts Of the Republic to be opened likewise to his
,ponen;s followed by the recall OF ali the troops
ender arms to resist them enemies. His next act
was mastery alocuton to the people, inviting them
n1thout distinction Of class antecedents, 10 join
I'm earnestly in the reconstruction of the country
promising to correct all abuses in former admnisra
lions This promise he has already begun the ful
Bnent of by virtually stamping out certain contracts
and monopolies granted by previous administrations
10 irresponsible individuals in dctriment of the rights
n the people and the public welfare As set-oh to
this he issues decree for the creation of charity
hospital in the capital of the Republic thoroughly
EQUIPPED for a thousand beds at the expense of the
National treasury.
The effect of all these measures was simply magcal
md the people in all directions eagerly fastened to
xtend their congratulations and send their blessings
10 this modern Vincent de Paul. The new President
: devout Christian and fervent Catholic, religously
attending mass every morning aud kneeiing on the
bare ground like every other citizen unattended DS
body guard and train of aiddecamps in flaming uni
iorns with the seathy revolves underneath OF him,
more than any other man I'm Venezuela, 1t may well
be said that he is the right man in the right place
How he can endure the pressure of his official position
for he attends personally 10 all the details of his
ice from early morning until late at nights more
han / can imagine In addition 10 all this he must
1--WE audience a crowd of Office and pension seekers
,esr matrimonial infelicites and even lovers mis-
nd-rs landings bargain with street and sewer con-
raclors school teachers and what not for the Presl
iental mansion is open everybody that chooses TO
al on business or otherwise. Yet this genial Presl-
lent finds time look after his fine aviaes and fancy
,ouItry at his private mansion in Caracas and al his
ountry place at Antimano charming watering
,lace not far from the capital where he keeps some
d the choicest breeds of sheep and other animals Tor
ne pleasure they afford him of caring for them.
Another Of President Paurs hobbies Is the train
nc and educating of young Goaiiro Indians hefce
ace OF abongenes rowing over the Wild peninsula
that name between Colombia and Venezuela. and
ain maintaining their independence from both II
trse Republics These Indians in the haolt
ofdsposng of their surplus children for consders-
to tn their nelohburs Of Maracaibo aud Rio Hacha
AMI as they make good servants when properly
trdned. they are always in demand. This Is boon
10 these young savaces. they are brought at once
within the pale of Christian civilization, especially
10 those who have the good fortune to fan INTO inc
lands OF such benevolent masters as President kolas
Paul who having no children Of his own. adopts them
., once as such and gives them the advantages OF
christian education under his Immediate supervision
Nor does his generosity stop here, one Of his first
Acts ON his elevation 70 the Presidency was 10 direct
the Secretary Of the Treasury 10 pay over To the
bnccls and soldiers composing the garrison at the
,aptal his own salary as bonus for their good be-
hayior and faithful services 20 the Government io'
be Is not wealthy man b. any means, although haV-
Ing entire control Of finances OF the country Tor
many years rs Treasurer or Otherwise
III Is therefore not at all surprising That such man
Is hailed by all classes and parles OF me hep N,1o
true benefactor and model President OF the Nauoh
which gracefully acknowledges his worm ana rtpo'Vs
,nfire Confidence I'm his administration Ihls more
pver goes show that RepuDlos are no. uWsSss n
vratefll especially II they have the right Hhu Oh
s,lcr to Guide therl Witness for instance the Mex-
40 OF NOWADAYS with Berto JaureS ana fornno bah,
AIRING their respective administrations tne AIsenne
Rspublc with SarmicntO and kOca. Cblh under nos
~ able statesmen long 10 enumefate anu even
the little republics of Nicaragua ana tOsts MIA III
Central America all OF them being Win each o'her
IN the line of progress and modern clNllLatlOh.
u "a to be- hoped that this beautiful Venezuela,
ar Little Venicerwtth more natural advan,ay tnan
sitier of her sisters Of both South ana ccntral
America win follow their example uhuer me ~,So
administration OF the experienced NY So
tro.ntg her destnies. HAMNN FAf''
la Guaira, sept ID, 1895.