The Republican journal., 1897-10-07

festooned with silken draperies, in red,
white and blue, the colors of the Repub-
lic But the most conspicuous object, and
that which savorS least of republicaniSm,
is the Presidents chair,-a regular
throne, solidly gilded, cushioned with
crimson velvet, set upon an elevated dais
carpeted with crimson and gold, and
overhung with a canopy of crimson satin.
Behind and above it appears the arms of
Costa Rica, wrought in gold and silver
thread upon field of purple velvet.
Verify, the ruler of this tiny Republic
can congratulate himself on the fact that
few emperors sit in greater state. Ar
ranged in a semi circle around this can
opted throne are 26 mahogany desks, be-
hind which the Congressman of Costa
Rica, sitting in luxury with their feet
buried in velvet carpet, may contem-
plate themselves at leisure in the oppo-
site mirrors. The stained glass with
which the doors and windows Of this mag
nticent hall are set, serve to subdue the
glare of the white walls and golden cell
ing, and to soften the otherwise some
what gaudy effect of SO much paint, gild
ing and red satin. Handsome crystal
chandeliers depend from the ceiling. High
up, at each end of the room, is small
gallery for ladies, or for orchestras, or
aybe for both; and on the floor of the hall
behind the desks, are rows of benches for
the accommodation of the populace. The
Congress- in which is vested Costa Rica' S
Legislative power, consists of only one
House, called the "Congreso Constitu-
cional.' Its members are known as
ed for four years; but half of the
Congress is renewed by election every two
years. Under the present law, there is
one Deputy for every 5000 inhabitants in
each Province; but if the population of
the province is such as to show an excess
of /, 900 or more, over and above the rate
mentioned, one more Deputy may be
elected. The qualifications for the enved
position of Diputado are, first, that he be
native of Costa RIGA, Or of Central
America or naturalized citizen of Costa
Rica who has resided within her territory
at least four years since naturalization;
that he knows how to read and write, and
owns property to the value of $500, or an
annual income of $500 The Congress sits
only few months every year, and during
its long recess is represented by a COM
mttee of it's own choosing, known as the
"Comision Permanente;'' and everything
of urgent character which comes up dur
ing the intermssion is attended to by the
tComision. -
BY far the more important body, to San
Jose ITSELF is its Municipal Council. 1t
consists of two chief magistrates, or AL
caldes and two PTocuradores, all of W HON
are selected every year by the property
holders of the city and are presided over
by the Governor Of the Province. They
employ a secretary and a doorkeeper,
and hold meetings at least once month
Among their duties are the framing of all
necessary local regulations, the designa-
ton Of those citizens liable to serve in the
militia, the collection and disbursement
OF the municipal taxes, and the assess
ment of the expenses of each Canton or
district, within the Province. The Coun-
Gil must also superintend the agriculture
al interests, trades, manufactures and the
rudimentary public schools; and is en-
powered to negotiate loans on the NUM-
cipal revenues, the latter derived prin-
cipally from the liquors, tobacco and Gus
toms duties, and partly from the license
tax imposed upon shop keepers and
traders generally. The merchants are
mostly foreigners, Englishmen, Germans
and Americans in the order named as to
numbers. No taxes are laid upon land,
and import duties are measured by a
standard OF tariff for revenue only For
local taxation the products of the soil are
assessed; and all commercial concerns are
assessed and required to keep strict
system of accounts, upon which an as
sessment is made. The more business,
the greater tax.
FANNIE BRIGHAM WARD,