The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-26


The assassination Of the president Of
Uruguay adds another % the long list OF
violent deaths suffered by rulers Of the
South American republics. II differs from
the others IN no material respect. and Is
not an unexpected termination to a pogiti-
cal conflict which began before hts enter
Ing into Office. and has continued ever
since.
On March I. 1894. president was to be
selected 10 succeed DR.. Herrera. but the
campaign began with the selection Of depu-
ties. which took place In November. 1885.
The candidates Of the party IN power were
then elected b. a majority bar when the
chambers met 70 elect president By Joint
ballot ii was found that neither OF the cam
dldatss for the presidency hal a majority.
DR.. Jose Eilaun was the choice % the
presidents party but. pending the assem-
bling OF the chambers, Gen. Perez and Or.
Tajes were placed in nomination. and II
WAS then made manifest that something
had gone wrong with the plans Of the rub
.ag faction. Popular excitement ran high.
81 the candidates was acceptable TO all
factions. Or. Ellauri had already been
president. but was dsposed By q revolution
ia February, 1873. DR.. Ta3es was an
avowed socialist ard the property-ownins
Glasses made 3 strong hght against him.
Gen. PEREZ was selected as a compromise
candidate BY those who feared the social
lists and doubted the wisdom of provoking
the people BY renomlnating one who had
already proved repugnant TO the masses.
On the second day a ballot was taken and
Or. Eliaari was declared elected, but so
intense was the popular feeling and so
threatening the attitude OF the opposition
that he refused TO accept the ONCE. on
the third day Tomas Gomenzoro. who was
put forward as the Liberal candidate, re-
ceiyed a majority of the votes. though not
enough to elect. Riotous scenes followed
both in the chambers and on the streets.
While the members almost came TO blows.
the troops made their appearance on tho
streets. and the people became apprchen-
sive that the leaders OF the army intended
10 intervene and proclaim dictatorship.
For several days the balloting proceeded
without any material change. both parties
showing equal strength. until on March
z Or. Ellauri was again declared elected.
Gomenzoro then withdrew from the con-
test. but the successful man once more
refused to accept the Office with 50 narrow
o majority. Gen. Perez then became
fsvorte. but with not sufficient votes TO
elect, and an attempt Was made 70 secure
the necessary number for Alcides Montoro.
So great was the popular excitement that
au business was suspended. and the peo-
pis Mere tn ferment on the twenty
arst day % the balloiinE Idarte Borda
was nominated as the representative Of the
party la power and Of conservative, eco
aoaleal principles. He was declared
elected on the nrst ballot. Notwithstanding
tae fact that the count was disputed. and
IN spite OF the cutlery against d.ctation and
terrorism.
Tae fear which beset the populace was
sllayed as a rather tactful delnesnor on
ihe part O. the nsw president on his
Induction Into Office he declared thai MS
policy would BE- Ia favor % honesty IA the
national ananeeS. and THAI he would act
tmpart.ally In dealing with the several
polsicAl cliaues. These promises may
sass been made IN good faith. bat the
conditions weFe too much Tor him. and ne
soon found himself rot only harassed b.
lie 3ealousles and implacaele selasnness
q the factions, bat thwarted in such en-
beavers as &c seemed 20 have made villa
a view of swing tae country an honest adj
rla5sirauon. lie AZ times appeared 10 be
animated by sluceFe aessro 70 be jas;.
but ever. concession he made 20 The raai-
cal elements Nas reS4rGed by tie Cog-
ssr4uvcs as leading ;ae Say to social
s-u, While. 90 tae ctbsr hand. the social
isis. SO .ar frcm Swing hlm crc.lIt Tor BIS
good intentions. accepted his concessions
lo ,hem as a proof Of weakness. aad maze
gbe1a mogs eold . ask for further ylelainz.
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