Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-09
ANGRY BELGIAN wORKMEN.
They Protest In Brussels Against the De
NAL of Universal Suffrage.

Tncy Ffotest In Brussels Against the De-
NAL of Universal Suffrage.
Since 4 o'clock yesterday morning bands of
workmen have been parading the streets Of
Brussels singing revolutionary songs and shout
ing Long live universal suffrage The action
Of the constitution revision committee in re-
jecting the proposition TO grant universal suf-
frage and adopting the proposition to grant the
franchise only to householders is the cause of
the demonstration.
A large number of the workingmen Of Bel
GUM are not householders and they will thus
not be allowed to vote. Much indignation is
felt, for the workingmen thought the demon
STATIONS they made lest spring in favor of uni
versal suffrage would result in the boon being
granted to them.
At Liege the burgomaster has forbidden the
workingmen TO assemble or TO make any mani
festations inNthe streets.
The King of Belgium yesterday opened par
lament in person. His majesty drove from the
palace to the house OF parliament, escorted by
a squadron of cavalry. The streets through
which he passed were lined with troops and
members Of the civic guard. The socialists
we're alert, and large numbers Of them gathered
from central points singing strongly the MAR
teiiinise as the king passed along. Others in
the crowd shouted Long live the king" Thon-
sands of leaflets, bearing the words Long live
universal suffrage, were scattered about the
streets. Some cries for universal suffrage were
heard from the civic guard. The heartiest
voicing of the crowd. however, was the cry Of
Long live the king"
IN speaking to the senate and abiding to the
revision of the constitution the king said
You have decided, in accord with the gov
ernment that there are grounds for a recon-
sideration of your political organization. The
electoral body has charged YOU to effect large
extension OF the right OF suffrage. Other prob
lens OF the same order connected with this
question. To solve them will be the essential
object of this session. In making a revision of
the constitution dependent upon the vote of
an exceptional maj ority our forefathers sought
TO prevent it from being treated as a party
question. II is in this spirit that the proposals
will be submitted to you. am convinced that
the revised constitution will DO work of con-
cord. wisdom and progress
His majesty then referred to the foreign
relations OF Belgium. which. he said. continued
TO be marked with reciprocal confidence. Con-
tinuing the king said that many important in
ternationat assemblies have been held in Bel
GUM, and tha. Brussels would shortly he the
seat of the international monetary conference.
The fort works in the river Meuse have been
completed. They place the country in a better
position than ever before to fulfill her duties Of
neutrality. in which she was determined never
to fail. His majesty referred TO the general
commercial depression, which, he declared,
had been made worse by rigorous protective
tariffs SeyertEs.es4 there was no d!minutiou
in the country production Of her comnerc iil
activity. .Fer the outlets 81 commerce lost
new markets were being discovered. and il
would Le the constant care Of the government
TO foster these. In the meantime the financial
situation OF Ike country was satisfactory.
At the close al lis speech the king dealt with
the interna! ssairs OF the country and especially
npon the improved condition Of the working
men.
When the Ling had concluded Nm. Jansen
and Feron, radical deputies for Brussels, rose
from their seats and shouted several times,
Long live universal suffrage
As the king returned to the palace and the
civic guards we're returning to their depots
bands Of socialists followed them, shouting fol
universal suffrage.