Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-10

its approval of Balmaceda's cause by
promptly enacting the legislation neces-
sary tor the maintenance Ct the govern
ment. But Balmaceda had some fool
friends. He had to trust somebody. and
those foolish friends declared that as soon
as congress had enacted the appro-
priation bills, the president would dsim1ss
the cabinet, selected, to quiet the public
mind, and put in one that suited him.
This startled the country. If the presi-
dent meant to be fair and just, why
change the cabinet the peoples rep.
resentatives had approved? What did
be mean anyhow. TIE excitab!e Latin
race was boiling over. 1t soon becau.:.
evident tFat the friends of the president
had been right. The designations of the
cabinet were demanded in January 1890.
Balmaceda then prorogued congress.
appointed new ministers. his own
serviIle tools, and proceeded to run things
after his own fashion. There is a BODY
in the Gillian congress called the con
sentative committee, which is a check on
the presidept-if he needs one. This COM
mittee, is composed of fourteen members,
seven from each branch of congress. Dur
ing tie recess of congress this body has all
the rights, powers, and privileges of con-
gress vested In it. 1t has extraordinary
powers yes ed in preserving the rights of
the people and compelling proper observ-
ance of the laws by the officials. 1t is a
check on revolutionary actions.
USURPS ALL POWERS.
The laws provide that the Chilien con-
gress shall meet June l, every year. for
three months. 1t was evident by this time
that Balmaceda meant mischief. There
fore, when congress met in June, it passed,
| by large majority, vote of censure on
the ministers. But in defiance of the uri-
form rule, since the government had been
established they refused to resign. Then
came the final touch. July l, the law
authorizing the annual collection Of taxes
| lapsed, for it must be enacted each wear.
| The government could not 90 on without
revenue. The house declared it would
not re- enact the revenue bill, unless
the president at once appointed such a
cabinet as congress - the representa-
tives of the people-demanded. This was
a strong censure. But it failed. There
was but one other boat for congress to
launch. The ordinary sitting of congress
ends In ninety days. Important matters
of municipal reform, such as giving the
towns the right to elect their own officers,
instead of receiving them from the presi-
dent, had been promised by every member
of both houses. The president would not
call congress in extra session to pass these
bills, for such law would take much Of
his local power away from him. Mean
time, Balmaceda had had issued orders
regulating political meetings, which
was virtually their suppression. Jan.
uary l, 1891, saw the browning
act of dictatorship, Instead of calling
| congress In extra session, as was his duty
! for the appropriations expired December
| 81, Balmaceda issued a proclamation de-
| clarlng that he was unable to carry on the
governaccording to the constitution, and
! therefore, by virtue of his own will he
would dispose of the public funds, and
run the army and navy without regard to
| the constitution, congress, or the law of
| the land!
CONGRESS DEPOSITS HIM.
Then congress used its highest authority,
which was never exercised before, but had
| been put into the constitution with the re-
| gard to just such contingency. An arti-
| Gle OF the constitution provides that,
whenever the president Of the republic
is found unable or unfit to discharge the
| duties OF his office, by reason of infrni-
! ty, absence, or other grave cause, congress
| in the exercise of the power vested in it,
! shall declare the office of president va
can't" This was the last arrow in the con
grt ssional culver, it did declare the
office vacant. Congress then appealed
to the people for aid. The navy of
Chill, the best in South America, at once
attached itself to the congressional party,
as did the older and best educated officials
of tie army This party held four of the
hest states Of Chill. The ministers of
England France, Brazil. and the United
States have offered their services for the
establishment of peace.