The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-09-05
Origin of the Disturbance in Chill.
Balmaceda Renounces the Role of Patriot for
that of Usurper-He attempts TO Run the
Government Outside of Law - Congress
Deposes Him-The Situation.

Deposes Him-The Situation.
william Hugh Robarts in Washington ID. c. Sun
day Gazette.
Very few Americans understand the
cause of the Chilian revolution. There
for it may be interesting to attempt some
explanation of it, as the writer understands
the matter.
The Chilian republic for years has been
regarded as the most advanced and pros
porous of our South American neighbors
In the war with Peru it demonstrated that
its soldiery was equal to any military force
of our neighbors to the southwark. In
fighting qualities the Chilians on land and
at sea maintain the lofty reputation of their
Conquistadore ancestors, who, with force
of comparatively small members had con-
auered all the native chieftains and Incas
from the isthmus to the southern frontier
of the farthestsouth state of South America.
After the conclusion of the Napoleonic
wars in Europe, the spirit of liberty became
strong in all the Spanish provinces on the
American continent Mexico, the Central
and South American states - excepting
Brazil-threw off their political allegiance
to Spain, and set up for themselves. Spain
at that time possessed the largest line of
colonies of any nation in Christendom,
They extended from the Sabine river-the
western boundry between them and Louisi-
ana-to Cape Horn, distance Of more
than 5000 miles. And today the Spanish
tongue is spoken over greater area of
country than any other language in Chris
tendon, except English.
MODEL REPUBLIC.
The Chilians maintained to greater
degree than any of the republics of South
America the best traditions of the race
from which they had sprung. They were
liberal in political and religious sentiments;
strongly opposed to African slavery, which
Brazil especially declared necessary to the
maintenance and developement of her agri-
cultural resources, and in enterprise and
energy more nearly resembled their Anglo
Saxon neighbors of the North American re-
public than any of the races on the south
ern portion of the continent they occupy.
After the Chilians achieved their indepen-
dence from Spain they organized a republi-
can form of government, modelled generally
upon that of the United States, but adopt
ing certain features of that of England in
minor respects, Their members of cabinet
sat in the senate or the house, as do those
of England in the commons or lords. The
president of the Chilian republic appoints
his own cabinet without the advice and
consent of the upper house. If the cabi-
net does not belong to either of the legisla-
tive bodies they become members e.c otfcio
that is, by reason of their offices-and
can assist at the session of either House,
in debate, and can be questioned, as to
their official policy or acts, and defend them
upon the floor, but cannot vote.
POWERS OF CONGRESS.
The annual appropriations for the expen-
ses of the government are made by both
branches of the congress, and no money
can be taken from the national treasury
without an act authorizing it, The rates
of taxation are annually fixed by congress
as is the land and naval forces, and with
out this annual enactment no army or navy
can be lawfully maintained in Chilli
The members of the two Legislative bodies
are elected by the people for five years, and
they serve without pay. The President
is chosen every five years by popular vote,
and Is rot eligible to reelection. His
salary is $4,000 per annum. The judges
of the higher or governmental courts are
appointed by the President, and hold office
for life, or during good behavior, as our
judges do. So much for the general Or
ganization of the Chilian national govern
ment.
RAPID DEVELOPMENT.
In 1888, when the present constitution
of Chill was adopted, the young republic
had but 100000 population, When the
revolution began it had 100000. The
revenues of the state were-in our money
$50, 100000, gold, and the taxation was
not excessive. There was absolute freedom
to all religious creeds From 1888 to 1890,
Chill was powerful within her own borders,
thrifty and prosperous There had been
no great popular excitement since 1948-50.
Every male citizen of twenty-one who could
read and write was voter
In 1890 the foreign commerce of Chill
was $4,000, 900, pretty good showing
for 5000, 900 people. But after so long a
period of peace and prosperity there came
a revolution which has well nigh ruined it,
one that will take years to recover from.
PRESIDENT BAIMACEDA.
AT the election of President in 1886
Senior Don Jose Manuel Balmaceda was
the nominee of the liberal party, and was
elected for five years term. He had had
long and distinguished political career.
He served his country as member of lower
house and cabinet officer. He had taken
the lofty ground in his political life that
no cabinet could exist after congress had
voted want OF confidence in it; and that
the acquiescence Of congress was absolutely
necessary to the cabinets existence. In
the first two years of Lis official life no
president could have been more discreet
and thoroughly in line with public opinion.
He strengthened his party to such degree
that the servatives-clericals it might
be oalled-fell away to nothing. Com
merce grew. The largest revenues the
state had ever known were received with
out excessive or burdensome taxes. The
vast riches of Chili-in guano islands and
her nitre beds-were made available to the
state by the operation of foreign companies
that paid handsome royalty for the privi-
lege of working them.
WHY HIS GARNET oIrTT
This was the peaceful and prosperous
condition existing October %, 1883. Then
it was that the benefcent, far sighted
President began to change into the breaker
of laws he had sworn to support and to
pave the way to the dictatorship he after
ward boldly assumed As Senior Balma-
ceda could not be elected again, he pro-
posed to name the person who should sue
ceed him, or, this falling, to boldly hold on
to the power by multiplying any attempt at