The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-02-24
Last Glimpse of Costa RIGA.


.aLh this small Republic has only
r.t 200, 900 population all told -
rnough people to make good
,ity-she has had 95 rulers within
4 a>r - years, the majority of whom
.r. opposed long before their terms ex-
.sO. Then again somebody got into the
ative chair who was strong enough and
enough to hold over several terms, in
.s of the fact that the constitution ex-
S., torbds President to succeed him
when his one four years term is over.
ST ri the numerous revolutions have
vi comparatively bloodless, perhaps be-
there were no men to spare. The
operandi of a political overturn-
Costa Rica differs somewhat from
s 1y it is managed in other parts of
d America. Here, whenever Gen
Ht other military man feels strong
to pronounce, he pronounces
pgly; that is, he issues a proclama-
1t manifesto, declaring himself the
lu : ruler. Instead of fighting and
killing off their respective forces,
ulltious General and the President
appens to be occupying the chair,
Fir wise heads together and talk it
If the prospects of the new aspi-
seem better than his own, the Piesi-
tequiesces in the situation as grace
s possible and resigns; leaving the
ear for his rival. Not that he gives
however; he merely retires from the
until he can hatch up some scheme
will bring him again to the front
ne such occasion during the last
.rter century, a popular General PRO
ed, - he and the President took the
i-er under advisement and the latter
G to retire, providing that he was
.u command of the army. This was
the twain changed places and the
enment went on as usual for six
.e months. By that time, the de-
SD president had made himself popu-
It'll the troops and concluded to take
p urn at pronouncing. The acting
-dent attempted to make the same
4in that his rival had made and again
.nge places. But one experience of
kind had been enough for the other
he drove his enemy out of the coun-
aud kept him in exile during his en-
administration.
a sample of the way business is con-
led in this country. let me tell you
The Costa Rican Transcontinental rail
3D. was built In 1872 it was decided
The future prosperity of the country
landed a railroad which should con-
the one inhabited central valley with
W0 oceans. Congress ordered a sur
which was made by two English en-
IS who in due course submitted pro-
IF the most practicable route and
Mates of the cost of construction.
.e being no wealth in the country,
vas necessary, and the two banking
les III Costa Rica-both operated by
-'ishmen, on English capital-sought
privilege of negotiating it. The
.ent chose one of the bankers. The
disappointed in his scheme, decid-
overthrow the government and set
new one which would cancel the con
with the rival banker, and recognize
wn claims.
vi on the plains Of Guanacasta lived
e-boy, Thomas Guardia by name,
Lad won reputation as the command
d squad of cavalry in a war with
aqua, and was known all over Cen
America for his soldierly qualities
esperate valor. To him the plotters
ned, and calling into the conspiracy
Der of disappointed politicians and
~l'ected citizens, they sent for Guardia
c5me to the capital and lead the
"ution. BY offering him pecuniary
dement's and promise of being made
mmander-in Chief of the Federal army
lie revolution succeeded, the cow boy
is won and his service secured. He col
ted hundred men of his own class. all
united on the wiry little ponies of the
ntry, made secret rendezvous at
Ahtatlon Just outside the city limits:
one dark night they rode into San
surprised the guard at the military
4 son, captured the commander of the
boy and all his troops, took possession
Tine government and proclaimed martial
!" All this without firing a gun or
'"ading a drop of blood. AS the Costa
e5n army consisted of only 250 men, ac-
''.'med mostly to parades and police
the undertaking was neither SO
Ag nor difficult as might be supposed.
Lee officials who were captured were
led up, and the rest took to the woods
'-l they could get out of the country.
ong the latter class was the ''Consti-
'1'nal President as the regularly
taied rulers in Spanish America are al
avs called to distinguish them from the
r frequent 'Pronunciament Presi-
IFS and Dictators ode Militar." The
y mate ruler being thus dethroned,
"fdla proclaimed himself Military Die
'''- and called "Junta," composed of
men who had employed him to over