Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-15


President change his mind. Even then, hae
he adhered to his first decision, or, bettel
still, had he made and abided by 1t wher
the first change of officers was demanded
all might now be well with the countrT
and if mil6er means for enforcing his rlght
full authority had not svailed, 1t would nave
been far better for the country had he caused
the arrest and detention OF the agltators a.
so mapy traitors to the Government. AL
the world admires brave man, and prompt
decided measures of that sort would have
won more respect for Senor Balmaceda thar
he can now hope to enjoy. To be sure, suct
extreme measures are contrary to the splrl
of ofrepublicanism; but SO is armed rebellion,
the bombardment of unofendIng' cities and
the murder Of hundreds of helpless womer
and children, huddled together for safety
as lately took place at 1quIqui by posse OF
IRRESPONSIBLE cut-throats, whose crimes were
the result OF the rebelllous attitude assumed
bv the Legislators.
Ofcourse it is but lust to add that at first
Congress probably had no idea that the
dangerous ball il set rolling would gather
such deadly proportions-and so might one
argue in favor OF the incendlary who dello-
erately fires a powder magazine, without
considering what lives and property he NAV
destroy. Thev refused to pass the presu-
DueSLdS
Executive, knowing that at the same time
they were running business of every kind
and incitinc the worst classes In the country
to desperate deeds.
All Business at Standstill.
No taxes, duties or other contributions to
the treasury could be collected; even deeds
or other legal documents could not be re-
corded. For long time one could not buy
a postage stamp in all Chile, and sometimes
for DAYS together the postofiices would be
closed. Merchants could not get their goods
out of the Custom Houses, and quantities OF
perishable goods spoiled in the keeping.
The army and navy could not be paid, nor
auy other employees of the Government,
however their families might suffer. Busi-
ness OF every description (except the pawn
brokersO WAS completely paralyzed, and ex-
change sank lower and lower, until for
every dollar of the United States one re-
ceiYed S3 % in Chilean currency Failures
occurred on every hand, and there were peo-
pie actually starving.
Delegation after delegation of citizens
waited uron the President, and to all of
them be explained the situation, assuring
them that the fault was not with himself,
that be would be glad TO make any personal
sacrifice TO ameliorate their condition, or do
Congress; but that he would not make him.
self and the country laughIng-stock for
the world by again changing lis Cabinet;
and further, that if he acceded to that un-
lust requirement, there was no knowing
what the next demand might be, and
he Just as well let so the reins OF Govern
ment at once.
Congress wouId Not Yield
Corcress was also inportuned by nuner-
ous petitions, but doggedly maintained its
attitude, judging rightly that Balmaceda
would finally yield to their TERMS rather
than ruin the countTy-though one day a
hungry rabbie collected around the cham
Der. and gave some of the deputies, as they
emerged, a well-deserved beating. Then
strikes and lncipient revolutions sprang up
all over the country, mostly carried on by
workmen whose families suffered most
from the non-passage OF the appropriation.
The roustabouts, launchmen, freight-haul-
ers, se2men and other irresponsible persons
who had nothing to lose, paraded the
streets of Valparaiso and other ports in
drunken bands, singing and bowling like
demons, throwing stones at unshuttered
windows, firing shots right and left without
anv particular target, occasionally cutting
q shop or store and threatening to pillage
every house and burn it over the heads OF
the terrified people.
The Unpaid Army and Navy.
But. as he had foreseen, the opposition
party were not satisfied and became more
pronounced in their hostility toward the
Government; until at length, hoping to
better their condition, portion of the I'M
paid army and navy went over to their side
with the disastrous results of which the
telegraphs have told you. In the late pur-
poseless but sanguinary conflicts, several
thousand men have been killed, most of
children orphaned, and millions of dollars
worth of property destroyed; there have
been business failures innumerable and
Chile has lost more than she can regain in
30 years of prosperity-all for no good
reason except that the spirit of revolution is
in the Spanish blood, and, like murder,
will out.
President Jose Manuel Balma ceda was
inaUgurated on September Is, 1886, for the
constitutional term of five years, and conse-
ouently his time has nearly expired. Pre-
vious 10 the election be had not figured
much in politics. but was quiet, well-to-do
citizen of the wealthIest and most aristo-
cratic capital Of Spanish America. The
questionable greatness" was not particu-
larly OF his own seeking, but was in
measure Thrust upon him. His private
fortune has been completely wrecked in this
disastrous five wears, and ne will retire from
Office a poor man, with fewer friends than
when he went into it. Chile boasts that
within her patriotic borders there are no
peculations IN high places, and loves to
point to the case of a former President who
was immensely wealthy in private life, but
through some unfortunate speculation lost
all his fortune while in office, and being too
honest to help himself from the public
funds-as be might easily have done in
hundred ways undetected-gave up his
splendid casa and horses and carriages, ana
at the close OF the term retired 10 4 cheap
little rented house in the suburbs, Wnere he
still lives.
Spirited bis Family Away.
President Balmaceda is not yet 40 years
old-a tall, handsome, well-educsted man,
who has travelled good deal and speaks
some English, but not enough to carry on
an easy conversation. His family consists
OF wife and several pretty children, among
the latter being three nearly grown daugh-
tiers, who had already begun to pose as bellies
before their flight. 1t is not known to
certainty where they are gone; some say to
Europe and others assert with equal conf
dence that they were sent over the mountains
10 the Argentine Republic. At any rate
the President has succeeded in spiriting
them away to some place of greater security,
while he remains to face the storm, in
hourly danger of threatened assassination.
What a sad parting that must have been
between the harassed father and his gentle
wife and daughtersl Mrs. Barmaceda is
spoken of by all as the most womanly of
women, devoted mother and model home
keeper.
Ministers Kicked From the Club.
On January 4, as an expression OF popular