The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-09

abroIated the law for civil marriages, re-
stricted the right of association, abolished
the liberty of learning, deprived OF their
chairs at the university such men as
Salmeron and CASTELAR,, some OF whom
were banished and consented to return as
Jesuits. With the exception OF an inter
val OF a few months, Canovas conlhueu
holding the premiership until February
1879, when, upon the return OF CampoS
from Cuba, Canovas retired from ONCE 10
assume it again in December OF that year.
retaining II until February, 1881.
In January, 1884, after the collapse OF
the Posada Herrera Cabinet. Canovas
was again called to ONCE. linen
he showed marked tendency TO
reactionary measures, and under pres
sure of circumstances reciprocity
treaty between Cuba and the United states
was agreed upon. This treaty was never
executed. In the summer OF 1850 CanoVas
needed the exercise of all his authority to
preyent a war with Germany, as result OF
the seizure of the islands OF Ponape and
Yam. of the Caroline Archipelago, by two
German men-of-war. In November 1855.
King Alfonso died, and fearing repub-
lican uprising, Canovas held q secret
meeting with Sagasta, at which an unoer-
standing between the rival leaders was
reached, by which, in the interest OF mon
archy. both agreed always to act in a
friendly manner, and peacefully take
turns in power until the Kings successor
reached his majority.
In accordance with this Sagasta came
into power. He adopted a liberal policy
hn
republican conspiracies Canovas' regime
had bred. In order to show the unity of
the monarchists OF all parties Canovas
was elected President of the Chamber OF
Deputies, and the Cortes, OF (which the ma
jority was conservative, gave its support
to Sagasta's administration. This, how
ever, did not please Rebledo, Canovas'
beloved lieutenant, and a rupture between
the two occurred, which split the Con-
servative party into two important fac
tions. Canovas was in opposition until
June, 1890. when Sagasta resigned, and,
faithful to their agreement. advised the
Queen to call CanoV as.
Canovss was the greatest political factor
in Spain since the Duke of Olivares. the
favorite of King Philip ". Canovas ex-
ercised an extraordinary control over the
late King Alfonso XII, who could never
forget he owed him his crown. 1t is
well known that the King never dared
contradict Csnovas, and there were few
instances in which he expressed opinions
contrary to the Prime Minister. The lat
ter angry look was enough to make the
King yield. The Queen inherited from
her husband the same respect for the IRON
handed ruler. The Queen loved Alfonso
passionately and her Jealousy of the ladies
OF The court gave rise to several scandals
in the palace. Canovas always interfered,
rebuking her. The last scandal was about
the spring of 1881 The Queen found the
King promenading in the garden palace
with one OF her rivals. II sudden fit of
anger she horsewhipped both. The news
spread through the nation and the mon
archy was threatened. Two hours after
the event Canovas, without even announc-
ing himself entered the private rooms OF
the Queen and said:
Madam, a constitutional queen has
not the common rights of wife. Before
your private feelings are the interests of
the monarchy. Tomorrow you will leave
for Austria, and await my orders"
She did. A few months after the Queen
returned. From that time on she had no
other will than Canovas'. Sagasta never
had such personal influence over her, nor
the power to command which made many
prominent Spaniards side with Canovas,
although they believed he was in the
wrong,
Canovas' main characteristic was his
stubbornness. To yield, even to reason,
was disgrace. In all public debates he
displayed, for this reason, such fierce en-
thuslasm that, notwithstanding many
other Spanish politicians had more repu-
tation as an orator, none had his great
parliamentary success. The important
thing was not what he said, bat how he
said it. He was master of elocution and
greatly helped by strong voice, which
resounded, when he spoke, through the
Cortes. He never deferred in a parlla-
mentary debate.
Canovas believed the Spaniards ought
to be ruled by force. In his first historical
in his youth, he expressed liberal ideas of
which he afterward repented. He said
afterward the only mistake of the King of
Austria was in involving Spain in foreign
wars. Such man in public life. Canovas,
by singular contrast, was exactly the re-
verse in private life. He married, late in
life, woman much younger than him.
self, who is said to have had a powerful
influence over him. When he was bach
elor his valet, an old man whom he knew
when he first went to Madrid as a poor
student, was his tutor. When Canovas
came home late he chatted with his valet
as a child. He never dressed but as his
valet wished, and many times confessed
he was greatly afraid of him.
With his intimate friends he was over
kind, and they all loved him as few men
are loved. His friends presented him the
handsome house in which he lived in
Madrid, and before his marriage his already
large fortune came from their bounty.
The MAJ who told Canovas he was a great
poet-alJhough his verses were really void
OF any poetical quality-was sure TO have
his favor. He was a great scholar and
had the largest private library in Spain.
Though personally honest, no one believed
him SO. What the public saw was a
harsh, cruel Minister, who always resorted
to The sword to quell any revolutionary
attempt. He refused title from Alfonso