New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-18

PUBLIC - THE nCGITlCAL SYSTEM - IMMI-
GRAFTON Observation-Disclosures
OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL REFORMS.
rRoMAsrAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRBUSE.l
Bucnos Ayrcs. January II.
The Chilians arc known as the English of South
America from their devotion to maritime life
but the Argentines consider themselves veritable
Yankees Their country is old in the historical
order of settlement, Pedro de Mendoza having laid
the foundation of their present capital as long
ago as 1885; but in its existing stage of political
and industrial development it is very new. The
revolt of the Argentine Provinces against Spain
In 1910 was followed by sterile period oil CIVIL
war, military dictatorship and disunion. 1t was
not until SCI, when the Federal Republic was re-
constituted under the leadership OF Bucnos ANlcS
that a new era of progressive ACTIVITY opened
For twenty years jcaousics were cNcltcd pN rival
aspirations for the seat of the National "oNcrn-
mcnt and il was not until 1881, when TINS CITY
was selected as the Capital, that the danger of
dsunon and a renewal of civil war was aNerted
During thirty years the country has made ire
mendous strides in material prosperity. During
tho last ten years it has gone ahead, like one of
our own Western States by leaps and bounds.
The Argentine Republic has trcbed its popula-
tion since 1861 its increase being relatively much
more rapid than that of the population OF the
Tinted States during the same period. The eStl-
mates of the present population range from $780,
600 10 1000, 900, in the place of 100000 In
1857. immigration has swept up the Plate Ike
q mighty incoming tide during the last decade
ard the vast domain of the nation is flling up
with European settlers The value of houses
land. cattle and public works has quintupled IN
twenty-five years. A wheat belt of enormous en-
tent has been opened for profitable agriculture
The pastoral industries have been developed until
there are now % 900 900 cattle II 0OO,O 600 sheep
and between 100000 and 100000 horses on
tho farms of the pampas The total value of
stock has risen from Slj9, 100000 in 1854 10
100000, 600 in 1883. The exports of wool have
risen from S3l 446,495 in 1851 TO $iS, S2O,57O In
1883 The total expectations have increased
from $4,000, 900 in 1871 TO 500 900 900 In
1855 while the importations for the same period
have risen from S44 100000 to SIPS, 100000,
and the foreign carrying trade from lll4,OOO tons
10 4ss5147 tons. Thousands of miles of railway
have been built: banking system has been cs-
tabished; schools have been opened in all the
provinces: public works of tremendous magnitude
have been undertaken; and prosperous nation
with vast undeveoped resources behind it has
been created This is the work of barely more
than a single generation The Argentine people
have a record for industrial progress, commercial
enterprise and enlightened faith in their own
future which cannot be equaled in South Amer
lea They are the Yankees of the Southern lleml-
sphere.
The Argentine Republic ranks after Brazil as
the second nation in South America in territorial
extent 1t has fourteen States. with a combined
area of $4,000 miles, larger by two-hfths
than that of the original thirteen States of the
American Union; and it has nine Territorial
Provinces which swell the national domain TO
1,l25,Os6 miles. less than one-third of
the extent of the United States with Alaska
included. 1t is country with varied conditions OF
climate and inexhaustbe agricultural resources
In the northern provinces sugar, and possibly cot
ton, can be raised Along the Cordileras there is
frut-growing region which is said to be equal TO
Southern California. In the central and southern
provinces there is wheat tract of enormous extent
where prolific crops can be raised, and there are
wide reaches Of panpas where sheep and cattle
can be pastured under the most favorable con-
ditions for economic stOck-raslng The mountains
are stocked with silver. gold, copper, tin and lead
in mines of unknown value. The northern forests
abound in cabinet woods. and there is native salt
all along the south coast, with seas fairly alive
with fish 1t is a country TO which immigrants
are drawn by the hundred thousand 1t is an in
dustria empire of undeveloped resources. pro-
The Argentine political system in its outward
forms corresponds closely TO that Of the United
States The States have elective Governors and
Legislatures of their own and are represented In
the upper House by two Senator's elected for
nine years. The members of the lower House are
elected on the basis of population and serve for
four years The Senate is renewed by thirds every
three and the Deputies by halves every two
years The President is chosen by an electoral
-olecc at a special election and is ineligible for
reelection TO a second term after holding Office for
Fix years. lie appoints his Cabinet and
wiclds unrestricted executive authority. There
Is Supreme Court modelled after the judiciary
system of the United States The Argentine Con-
sttution is a very faithful copy Of the American
Constitution; but political practice falls below
the hieh level OF a self-governing democracy The
President, when elected, exercises the powers OF
political dictatorship. The Chambers meet and
enact laws but, as commander-in-chcf Of the
army, and as the patron Of all the civil. military
and judicial officers, the President possesses alb
solutc authority in administration. The coun-
try is governed by executive DEGREES rather than
h. constitutional laws Elections are carried by |
military pressure and manipulation OF the civil |
service. II is the custom Of the country 10 have |
he retiring President nominate and elect his sue
ccssor The last President secured the election Of
Nhc present incumbent who was his brothcr-in- |
Naw. The present Executive is alleged 10 have set
his heart upon controlling the succession in the |
interest of one of his relatives who is now a
prominent official. These vicious practices arc
not sanctioned by the Constitution but the coun-
ry is accustomed 10 the assumption of absolute
executive power and does not revolt against il.
Nominally. the Argentine political system is per-
haps the best in South America but practically
it is thoroughly undemocratc and needs radical
reformation.
The Argentine people. like the Americans. at
various STAGES Of their history, have made serious
mistakes in National finance, and have been car
ried away by the excitement of land speculation