The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-03-12
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND
BUILDINGS IN SAN JOSE,
Going to Market in SSan Jose-Where
Senators Legislate-Proper Qualifications
Costa Rica B. ..

Z terra Observation-Disclosures affy- San jose rs
blessed as the Garden Of Eden, tie mercury
swinging from year to year between 60 and 80
degrees. Wherever the tropical joins hands
with the subtropical the result is all that
mortal man can desire in the way of natural
productions. Overshadowing the low roofs
and breaking through the red tiles, tufts OF
green foliage are everywhere seen, limiting
of Moorish courts inside, and casas with palms
and flowers around the central fountains, and
or nlgn-waIIe garaens, wnere ngs, pome-
granates, olives, lines, and bananas flourish
together, the luscious fruit Of the mango tree
fills the air with fragrance, and the glossy
leaves of the gubaya mingle with the thick,
dark foliage of the bread fruit and tie "vege-
table butter tree. No wonder this section of
Costa Rica has been dubbed "the Switzer-
land of the tropics" Upon one side of the
mountain valley towers the extinct volcano,
1razu, and on the other frowning Carriage
lifts it's snow fields 10000 feet toward the
blue; while the encircling mountains of San
Miguel sweep the horizon on every hand,
their rugged outlines, rosy in the, morning,
purple at monday, amethyst in tie evening
rejecting every shifting cloud in ceaseless
changes of light and shadow. Between these
picturesque heights and the town pillows an
ocean of unbroken green, enlivened here and
there by white-foWered coffee groves and
fields of yellowish sugar cane.
Going to Market in Costa Rica.
In the "poteras,' beyond the suburbs,
herds of fine cattle are grazing. Along the
country roads and through the city streets d
constant procession Of donkeys and OK carts
plod, the former laden from head to tail with
the produce of the farmer on it's way to mar
ket. the latter carrying to rural homes articles
of luxury and convenience which have been
brought to Costa Rica by the ships of Eng
land, France, and Germany, or manufactured
in the American shops at Panama. Unlike
most descendants of the naughty dons and
hidalgos of old CASTLE, many Costa Ricans
are neither too proud nor lazy to engage in
work or trade, and the natural consequence is
uneXampled prosperity for Spanish America.
Though the majority of San Jose's houses are
only one story in height, most Of them have
the unusual luXuries of chimneys and glass
in the windows, not only because the nights
are chilly at this altitude, but because the
more progressive Costa Ricans are anxious!y
struggling up to the times. The low-mind-
edness of their style of architecture is not en-
tirely due to the universal taste of the people,
inherited from their ancestors, the Moors; nor
yet because the patriots who built this new
= capital just after their Independence from
Spain was achieved, in order to abolish every
memorial Of colonial servitude, had an eye
to republican simplicity" but because earth
quakes, as we'll as patriots, are opposed to
lofty pretentions. Cartago, the old Spanish
capital, which once boasted of very handsome
public buildings, a dozen fine churches, and
population of 10000, was almost DESTROYED
shakings up are of frequent occurrence III
the valley of San Jose but only two or
three times in the course of a century has
much mischief been wrought However,
that is quite often enough The last earth
quake OF consequence within the memory OF
the Oldest inhabitant, killing many people,
demolished hundreds of homes and damaged
more or less nearly every edifice in the city
Starting out to ''do'' the capital, the first
objective point is naturally the government
"palacio." 1t is long, low, two-storled
building. in the "Calle Comerico,' built OF
stone adobe, the exterior sanded and colored
in imitation Of blue granite, and overhang-
ing roof of red tiles. Though modelled by
German, it presents cheerful Italian as
pect, in harmony with it's surroundings and
the glowing sky that canopies this happy
valley. Passing several soldiers guarding its
wide, nrched gateway, we enter spacious
hall which leads into vast quadrangulal
courtyard This patio, paved with square
tiles, has big fountain in the middle and IS
surrounded on two sides by gallery ten
feet wide, supported by another series OF
columns and arches, thus forming two tiers
of arcades, the upper one, hfteen teet aDove
the pavement. finished with a pretty balus-
trade of bronzed iron. The roof Of the build
Ing, besides extending outward over the side
walk, runs ten feet beyond the walls, in
closing the court, thus covering the arcades.
Once inside the building, all trace OF ere
publican simplicity disappears Mounting
broad flight of stone steps to the upper gal
lery, we find series of glass doors, leading
to the offices of various departments OF the
government; that of the Secretary of Con-
gress, the bureaus Of state, justice, war, and
foreign affairs; and the "Intendencia,' that
terror of foreigners who are suspected OF hav-
ing violated the customs laws. Passing along
the corridor and through the bureau Of the
Minister of Justice, we find ourselves In
small gallery overlooking the Hall OF Con-
gress, which occupies portion of the first
floor, and for moment feel daZed by the
unexpected splendor spread out before us
The "sala del congresso," as it Is called, Is 8
superb apartment of imposing proportions
eighty feet long, thirty feet wide and fort!
feet high, with walls of creamy white, pan
neled with gold, and slightly arched ceiling
divided by heavy gilt holdings, the spaces be
tween crusted with gold filigree work.
Where Senator's Legislate.
Lofty windows opening upon the courtyard
are gorgeously curtained with crimson sasln
damask, and between them are several costl.
mirrors, festooned with silken draperies, II
red white and blue, the colors of the re
public. But the most conspicuous object an
that which savors least Of republicanism !
the Presidents chair, regular throne, solid
1y gilded, cushioned with crimson velvet, sc
upon an elevated dais,, carpeted with Grim
son and gold, and overhung with a canopy o
crimson satin. Behind aud above 1t appear
the arms Of Costa RIGA, wrought in gold an
silver thread upon a field of purple velvet
Verify the ruler of this tiny republic can con
graduate himself on the fact that few EN-
perors sit in greater state. Arranged in
semi circle around this canopied throne ar
twenty-six mahogany desks, behind whic
the Congressman of Costa RIGA, sitting !
luxury, with their feet buried in a velve
carpet may contemplate themselves at leisu1
in the mirrors opposite. The stained glas
with which the doors and windows of th
magnificent hail are set serve to subdue til
glare of the white walls and golden ceiling
and to soften the somewhat gaudy effect
so much paint, gliding, land red satin. HAND
some crystal chandeliers depend from tt
ceiling. High up at each end of the room is
small gallery for ladies, or for orchestras, o
I, maybe for both; and on the floor of the hal
behind the desks, are rows Of benches Tor tt
accommodation of the populace.
The Congress, in which Is vested Cos
isRica's legislative power, consists OF on
one house, called "Congreso constitutional
Its members are known as "diputados,,,''
deputies, and are selected for four years, b
one-half OF Congress is renewed by electit
every Two years.
Property Qualification for Deputies
! Under tho present law there Is one deDu
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