The Helena independent., 1890-01-17
THE BOY KING OF SPAIN.
Despite Favorable Reports 1t is Said
the Infant Ruler Cannot
Live Long,
The Boy Inherited the Fatal Bour-
bon Taint and Is Also
an Epileptic.
The Ehec of His Death lpon spain
Probably Very serious sympathy
for His Mother.

suppose that never before IN the history
of the world has the deathbed of any little
hoy been watched with anything like the
interest which all Europe to-day is taking
in the news from Madrid, saysa Madrid
cable 10 the New York Times. As a subject
OF journalistic value the baby Alfonzo
dwarfs everything else. not only here in
London. but in Paris. Nienna. and even in
Berlin. despite the rival sensation of The
Empress Augusta's funeral.
From the outset of his brief career the in
FAINT king has attracted more thun ordinary
interest, through the circumstance OF his
having been born siX months after his faith
eT's death. Ii was unique thing to Doe "a
sovereign from tie very moment of ones
birth, and as the little fellow grew up be
displayed such charming qualities that he
became sort of universal pet. IN Paris
last summer. for example. the photograph
seller in the Louvre told me there was great
er demand for his photo than for that of
any other celebrity. and very picturesque
! and droll photos they were. too. He was n
peculiarly precocous little chap, who
learned TO talk very early. aud had the most
curious hveliness of temperament. This
was an obvious inheritance from his father,
although in color he is much more like his
Australian mother
But unfortunately the lad inhoriied also
from his father the fatal taint III the BOur-
bon race which is politely called scrofula,
and which has for its haudmaiden epilepsy.
This present illness. which began with
the prevailing influenza, went into tuber-
cdlar meningitis, complicated with cpilep-
tic commissions. Although for the moment
the official reports speak of an improve
ment, 1t is perfectly well understood that
the poor little fellow has no chance what
ever.
His death will create an unusually deep
and widespread feeling of sympathy with
his young mother, who has managed 90
make herself so popular with the outside
world, and IT will of course concentrate un-
easy attention once more on Spanish poll
tics. The little future Queen Mercedes.
though bright and clever child, CONVEYS
TO the popular mind no such interesting
idea as the baby king, and her reign fore
! bodies turbulence and trouble.
Although what may be called he republi,
can party in Spain Is much stronger now
than !, was in $50, IL is also true that the
chances OF republic beingset up are vnsily
less than they were then. TO begin with.
these tNeriy-odd years which have elapsed
since Isabella was driven out have been Il
great education % the Spanish politicians
nd peopls a.ke. 4 hen there seemed 20
tie progressive men who were in revolt
against the old Jesu regime no reason why
/ Spain should not be q republic like the
lhited States. Now they see differently.
They recognize that n country that knows
not Iing Of local self-control, trial by Jury,
I civil nsryiqres,or the liberty Of public meet
I NJ: which has never enioycd universal
81 II Hee and has 10 such thing as public
school system, is not prepared for republi-
eau form OF government. CASTELAR, openly
nYuws this changed opinion. and. while he
has devoted the rest of his life TO an effort
10 elevate the people 90 stage where n re-
public will be possible, he does not expect
the cOal 10 be reached during his lifetime.
IL must be admitted thai so far as polit-
cal fellowship goes CASTELAR, has taken with
him IN this moderate attitude only small
handful of followers, while Margall, who is
the leader of what is called the federal
party, which is proie-sedly in fayer of an
immediate republic. is at the head of n
numerically powerful organization.
Bnt, when the issue is put Ia the test. il
will be found that Casiear's views have
permeatod the great bulk Of this federal
party ON the one hand. and have made a
great number Of converts among the royal
there WIS much danger of revolution by
pronunciamento in Madrid. OF course,
there remain the progressists, who look io
Ruil Xorilln ns their chief. and who are
ayowedly ready Tor ulsurfecton at any
time. This Gorilla has heen living IN Paris
for long time. keeping alive q sort of
dynamite conspiracy against the Spanish
government. and proiiting by il very much
in the manner of the Chicago gentlemen
whom DR.. Cronin lnbored To expose.
Iorillh's favorite method has been 20 sell
Spanish funds short and then knock them
down by n riot or discovery Of treasonable
intrigue somewhere IN Spain. This excel
lent financial system was In full operation
from 1884 20 1856, but spectators then grew
tired, and as n result Gorilla has since kept
very still. He is said now 10 he in hiding
in the Pyrenees. ready TO appear on Span
ish territory nt the head of an armed insur-
rection. but those who know him best do
not credit this. His tastes and talents are
much more in the line of the Petite Bourse
on the Boulevard des lialiens than ot hat
tlehelts.
As for the CHrlists, they are certain 10
make demonstration and equally certain
TO be beaten. Then the CIV of NO more
women on the throne OF SPAN has a certain
attractiyeness now no doubt, but then
even women nre preferable 90 some kinds
of men, and Don Carlos nnites all Ol those
kinds in lis own person with comprehensive
ability. lie isnow on the shady side Of
forty, fa;. unhealthy and stHpider than
ever. while his son, Don jaime, who will toe
twenty in June. hns developed no qualities
which excite popular interest. II is re-
gafded ils probable. however. that Don
Carlos will Ienounce his rights in favor Uf
this son, as the original pretender, his
grandfather, did forty-dye years ago. and
this may give the young man certain
chance of consideration. more especially ii
he be- in the meantime betrOthed 10 young
Mercedes. who has now attained be mature
age of yours.
These IRE dynaStic possibilities however,
rather than political probabilities. and the
question Of how the wou-out B0urbons
may save themselves is of less importance
thnn The question of how Spain may be
benefited. II il the working out Of this
latter question which is likely 10 attract
general attention during the next few
years,
supreme Court.
The following were the proceedings yes
terdny in the supreme court
Itnl,art q ATarpa yraa alIt1ftfa1 IN tfrarfirs