, 1891-03-21

June z O. vote of censure was passed by the
Chamber of Deputies by a majority OF 70 tc /,
in which the Ministers were referred to IN the
strongest terms, and the declaration made
that THEN continuance in office was contrary
to constitutional practice and inimical to the
interests Of the Republic. Balmaceda and
his Ministers paid little attention to the vote
of censure, and one week later the Chamber,
incensed at the attitude of the President,
passed a measure by a vote of SO to 70 refus-
ing permission to the Government to collect
the taxes. This action brought forth g. dell
ant manifesto from President Balmaceda, IN
which he declared be would maintain the
~prerogatives conferred upon him by the peo-
nle and by the Constitution. Much excite
ment pervaded the country as a result OF this
manifesto, and even then revolution was
freely spoken of. The Government was plac-
ed in a precarious position through the cut
ting off of all financial supplies by the refusal
of the Deputies to allow taxes to be collected.
In order to e~xtricate itself from Its serious
situation, the Government notified all banks
in which public money was deposited at
thirty DAVIS call that the entire deposit am
%ounting to 81, 127, 300, would be withdrawn at
the expiration of that time.
A semi-panic in financial circles followed,
it being feared that the banks would not be
prepared to pay out such a large amount on
short notice. Banks began to call in their
outstanding accounts, and the money market
was greatly disturbed thereby. a suggestion
was made to Congress that some measure be
adopted giving the banks more time, but the
strained relations between the Government
and the representatives of the people contlnu-
ed for several weeks, causing a deadlock.
The Government sought to coerce the OPPOSE
ton and to force them to pass the budget,
troops being brought from outlying provinces
for the purpose Of OyeraWln8 the dissenting
party. -.
The conflict between the political parties
was compromised early IN August by the ap-
pointment of a cancellation" Ministry. The
new Cabinet issued a prospectus making
many promises, which was received with much
enthusiasm, and it was believed that the po-
litical troubles were at an. end Civil war
was thus averted for the time being. The
new Cabinet only remained in office for two
months, when it resigned because OF adverse
votes having been carried against 1t IN Con-
gress.
this time, the purpose of which was to re-
move the practices which had given rise to
40 much dissatisfaction. President Balmaceda
solemnly declared that he would abstain from
any further interference in the electoral cam
Dalpn tor the SelecUlOn Oh LS SuCC0oool' Cuo ~
has since been discov cred that he continued
to carry on i~ntrigues with this object IN view,
in fragrant violation of his sacred word and
the law.
Indignation meetings and public protests
Of all kinds were held in regard to the con-
sideration of San Fuenta for President, and
later, the unconstitutional action Of Bal
maceda, in dissolving Congress. This last
action. indeed, caused the storm to burst,
and following the hostile demonstration
against him, when he officially visited the
harbour works at T~alcahuano, open hostll-
tiles began at Santiago, Iquique and Valpa-
. raise.
Dec. 10 the Comision Conservadora, a.
bodv which sits in council at Santiago during
the recess of Congress in order to watch events
and aid the Government in it's deliberations,
insisted that the President convoke Congress
at once, but this Balmaceda refused to do.
The Comision pointed out that as the esti-
mates for 1891 had not been passed, the Presl-
dent having dissolved Congress through hos
tility, therefore the army and navy could not
legally remain in existence after Dec. 81,
1890, and therefore no allegiance could be
demanded by the Government from the mill
tarv. naval or civil services after that date.
This announcement served TO swell the ranks
of the insurrectionists, which were still more
greatly augmented by the issuance OF the fol-
lowing overbearing and high-handed procla-
nation bv Balmaceda on Jan. z, in which he