The morning call., 1892-06-16
TEE BELGIAN ELECTION.

The election which is taking place in Bel
GUM is of marked interest. OF al eonsti-
tutional countries Belgium and Spain are
the most backward in employing the ma
chinery of self-Goverpment. In Spain the
people outside of the large cities will not
exercise the franchise; in Belgium they
cannot. In the latter kingdom one OLt OF
fifty persons has vote To cast ballot a
Belgian must pay SO so a year in direct
taxes. Against this property qualification
the wOrkingmen Of Belgium have protested
for years, and when Liberal government
was in power eight years ago an extension
of the franchise seemed inevitable. But in
1884 the Liberals were oyerthTown and were
succeeded by party which is sustained by
men Of property and the rural class, and
for eight years the clamor OF the working
men for votes has been unavaiiing. The
agitation had, however, the effect of Great
ing a new party, to which the name OF Rad
icals was given; this party Joined the social
lists and labor organizations in demanding
universal suffrage. Throughout the session
Of lS9O-9l the CleTicals fought off the de-
mapd with success; but late last year they
finally agreed TO hold new election, to
confer upon the new members Of the Senate
and Chamber the powers Of a constituent as
sembIy. and to submit to the people the
amended constitution which this body might
frame. This election is how taking place,
and it appears from the dispatches that the
CleTicals will be in q majority in the con-
Stituent assembly.
In other words, the 125, coo men who enjoy
the franchise out Of population of g. 10000
decline to admit their fellOw-citizens 10 a
participation in political power. They de-
sign to keep what they have got, and to set
Liberals, Radicals, socialists and labor
party at defiance.
Belgium is the most densely peopled
country in the world, except parts Of China.
Ii is about the size of Maryland, but its
population is in excess Of that Of New York.
Its foreign commerce reaches a volume Of
6,0d eco francs annually; ten million
tons of shipping enter and leave its ports
every year. 1t is a heavy exporter of cereals,
textile fabrics. iron and steel fabrics,
leather, glass. sugar, coal and iron. The
Belgian is prOyerbally industrious The
great cities, Brussels, Liege. Antwerp,
Client, AK, etc, are hives Of industry.
From the days when it constituted the best
portion Of tie dominions CT the Dukes Of
Burgundy. it has always been one Of the
most active and prosperous parts Of Europe.
The situation is complicated by recent
political events. BY the treaties which
followed tie battle Of Waterloo. Great
Britain guaranteed the territorial integrity
of Belgium. Secure ia this protection,
Bel giHm did rot follow its neighb0rs' ex-
ample in keeping large standing army on
foot, and thus saved a large item of public
expense. But two or three years ago il
occurred 20 Englsnfthat she had no interest
in guarding Belgium from tie vicissitudes Of
fortune and Lord Salisbury notified King
Leopold that the covenant was rescinded.
The Government Immediately introduced a
bill into the Chamber providing for a stand
ing army to be manned by compulsory
service. But the Workingmen, OUT Of whose
ranks the new soldiers would have come,
declared that they would not submit 10 the
CONSUMPTION 90 long as they were excluded
from the franchise, and the Government
did not care to try conclusions with them
One OF the most active industries Of Belgium
is the manufacture Of firearms; body Of
insurgents would have no difficulty In arm
ing itself.
The present King Of Belgium is Leopold
the Second, who is we'll known from his
GEtAHt4tLio al AAl4@u Dta-Es 4AE passes 40L q
/ br0ad-minded sensible sovereign. If he is
as wise as his father he will find a way to
end the Belgian imbroglio without blood
shed. When the revolutions Of 1873 spread
TO Brussels, noisy crowd appeared in front
Of the palace with arms and threats. King
Leopold Immediately appeared on the
balcony and moving his hand for silence
asked the mob what they wanted. Shouts
ola republic! a repubici-Were the
answer. "Hap' replied the King you
want republic? Well, you shall have it.
You needn't Ere any guns, for powder costs
money. If y0n are as tired Of monarchy
as am Of reigning, / don't wonder you
want to Try something else. 1 abdicate.
Good-by." And the popular leaders had
to plead to get bin TO resume the throne.