The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-09-05

one that suited him. This startled the
country. IF the President meant to be
fair and just, why change the cabinet the
peoples representatives had approved?
What did he mean anyhow The ekcita-
BILE Latin race was boiling over. 1t soon
became evident that the friends Of the
President had been right. The resigna-
tions of the cabinet were demanded in
January 1890. Balmaceda then prorogued
congress, appointed new ministers, his own
servile tools, and proceeded to run things
after his own fashion. There is body in
the Chilian congress called the "conserva-
tive committee, which is a check on the
President-if he needs one This COM
mittee is composed of fourteen members,
seven from each branch of congress. Du-
ring the recess Of congress this body has all
the rights, powers, and privileges of con-
gress vested in it. 1t has extraordinary
powers in preserving the rights of the peo-
pie and compelling proper observance of
the laws by all officials. 1t is check on
revolutionary actions.
USURPs ALL POWERS.
The laws provide that the Chilian 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 uni
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 year
The government could not go on without
revenue. The house declared it would not
re-enact the revenue bill, unless the Presi-
dent at once appointed such a cabinet as
congress-the representatives 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 President, had been promised by
every member of both houses The Presi-
dent would not call congress in extra ses-
sion to pass these bills, for such law would
take much of his local power away from
him. Meantime, Balmaceda had issued
orders regulating political meetings, which
was virtually their suppression, January
| l, 1891, saw the crowning act of dictator
ship. Instead of calling congress in extra
session, as was his duty, for the appropria-
tions expired December 81, Balmaceda
issued proclamation declaring that he was
unable to carry on the government accord
ing 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 laws of the land
CONGRESS DEPosEs HIM.
Then congress used its highest authori-
! ty, which was never exercised before, but
had been put into the constitution with the
regard to just such contingency. An
article 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 infrmity,
absence, or other grave cause, congress in
the exercise of the power vested in it, shall
declare the office of President vacant.
This was the last arrow in the congressional
quiver. 1t 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 officers of the army. This
party holds four of the best states of Chill.
The minister of England, France, Spain,
and the United States have offered their
services for the establishment peace.
This is the Chilian case, as fully as the
writer can cover it, in the limited space,
permitted. Why the United States has
not recognized the congressional party
unless it is, that in such recognition this
country would be making precedent which
would compel our interference, by arms
it is difficult to understand. That the con-
gressional party is right there can be no
sort of question.