The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-10


Nicaragua. Salvador has twice it's popu-
lation. To possess the same proportion,
Nicaragua's population ought to be about
$4,000
But what makes Costa Rica Of especial
interest TO the people of the United States
is the failure of government based upon
selected representation. All other govern
ments are from the people direct. but in
Costa Rica the president and the chamber
OF representatiyes-the only legislative
body-are elected not by the people direc.
but through an electoral assembly. This
altering OF the franchise is proved to be a
failure.
recent American traveller, Mr.. John
r. Spears. says that there are untold
millions OF buried treasures in Costa
RIGA. the people fearing the rapaclty and
corruption of the government. His theory
IS thus set forth:
And yet Costa Ricans have always
done and are now doing what some of
our American theorists think is the one
thing needed to make a perfect govern
ment. They have placed and have kept
the making, the Interpretation. and the
execution OF the laws In the hands OF the
best people The Johnnies and the Mikes,
che Juancitos and Miguelitas, aren't In 1t,
so 10 speak. at a Costa Rica election. Ii
Is not intended to discuss here any sys-
tenn or form OF government. but only 10
state the fact that in Costa Rica, as in
all Central America. the exclusion of the
Johnuies from share In the affairs OF
government has worked disastrously. The
worst governments on the American cor
tinent. wether national. departmental. or
municipal, are those managed by the So
called best people. In other words. un-
der a republican form Of government 1t is
safer TO trust Juancito than Don Juan.
Indeed. when | consider the conditions
which prevail throughout the Spanish
Main the Idle neglect of opportunities. the
hand-to- mouth life. the utter lack of pro-
gress and development almost everywhere
apparent. believe that could prove tat
all these evils are due. not TO any ener-
waiting influence Of climate. not primarily.
20 any inherent defect In the blood of the
race but to the blight which comes from
depriving the Johnnies OF the fruitlon Of
their natural ambitions in politics"
This Is. Of course. a tribute TO the pcopls
Of the United States such as Abraham Lin
coin. Ia rather more choice terms. so often
expressed. II IS undoubtedly remarkable
that people whose social conditions are
50 much superior 20 that Of ueighboring
states. and which twenty-five years ago
promised TO advance rapidly. has been 50
laggard. In the time OF President Mora
u looked as II that country would take
fallen behind again.
In 1894 Consul Williams reported that all
the wheat consumed was imported from
the United States. four 10 the value OF
$50 as (soln and wheat TO the value OF
s2i4 AIS being received from this country,
but that Il was a question whether the
I trade could be maintained. Only S3.Ss
worth 81 lumber Was imported from tho
United States in ISs3. although the duty
Was suspended tn lS1 on all lumber for
! construction in Port Limon unta July %.
1895.
! Vet on me whole the people are PRO-
! grcsslee ana thrifty. But the people are
! AFRAID 20 trus; IRE banks. which might be
/ subjected 81 forced loans by the govern
| Ineut % ";Ae best people" Whether a
| greater intimacy between This government
and that Of Costa Rica mus: he postponed
| unul better conditions prevail. or that bet
Ter conditions would follow a greater inti-
| macy. IS a ques;io weu worth consider
/ irg ~ a nation seeking 10 extend the
! market for4ts nroau~ts