New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-03


disturbed and dsoreanized by the scandalous
scenes that have been in progress for nearly a
year past In the Rechsrath at Vienna. And now
when, yielding to popular pressure the Emperor
has finally sent the National Legislature about
It's business and has announced his intention of
ruling by royal decree for period Of several
Government independently Of Parlament--ex-
are being heard on every side
For the last six months or more everything has
been at standstill in Austria owing to the fac
tional squabbes in the Reichsrath. the members
Of which were far more interested In downing
their Political rivals than In attending TO legis-
lative business. All sorts Of reforms proposed by
the Government. including the abolition Of the
preposterous tax Of half cent every copy Of
a newspaper sold in the empire, as well the
construction Of public works and railroads have
been stopped by this conduct on the part OF the
National Parliament. while commerce and man
ufacture have been to such an extent affecte
by the Parliamentary deadlock that not only
much trade. but likewise a great deal OF indus
try. has been transferred from Austria to Ger
many and TO Hungary. In fact, general relief is
felt both at home and abroad at the action OF
the Emperor and Of his Premier Count Thun.
in practically suspending the constitution and
reverting TO the autocracy which prevailed prior
to the concession OF Parliamentary government
just fifty years ago.
THE CORTES BRINGS SPANS RUIN.
Those who know Spain bcs, are unanimous in as
crihing her present disasters not to he monarchy
but To the Cortcs and To the Ministries which
have alternated with one another ever since
Queen Christina assumed the regency. The Cab
inets which have succeeded one another. instead
Of instituting reforms that were urgently needed
both at home and abroad have had but one oh
ject in view. namely. 10 derive all the pccuniary
profit that they could from the domestic and
colonial administration. Liberals well as Con
seryativcs have ha. TO other purpose than the
spells If office.
In this connection | can recall M case ~ a
young Spanish friend Of mine. who was ALSO
lutclv without forum. but yet who had pleas
ing presence. excellent education and an Illus
trous name. He came 10 Madrid to seek his
fortune while was there. ard. calling upon
Senior Sagasta, who was then IN ofiic' %" present
ed 10 him The letters of recommendation which
constituted one might almost say. his only bag
gage. The best that he hoped for was small
clerkship in some minor department 81 IN" GOV
eminent To his amaz"m"ut. Sasasta. who hap
pened to bo in an exceedingly good humor. Of
fered him seat in the Cortes for constituency
situated at the very opposite end II the kingdom
from that to which he belonged. The young fei-
low at first thought that the Premier Was jok
ing But finding that h. was perfectly serious
about the matter hc explained 10 Saeasta that
he vas not only entirely without fortune. but
that he did not even possess the means 10 pro-
coed to the Southern town which he was 10 rep
resent in the National Legislature. Sagasta
quickly relieved his apprehensions on this score.
He told him that IL was quite unnecessary for
him TO present himself to his constituents. and
that orders would be sent from the Department
OF the Interior 10 the provincial Governor and 70
the Alcalde or Mayor Of the town in question 10
have him elected as Deputy without any delay
or opposition. He added that az far money
was concerned none was needed. that from
the very moment that 1t known that the
young fellow was Deputy ne would find no dif-
fculty in obtaining all that he wartcd and that
n he tired Of legislative life IL would be- easy
for him to secure some IA; colonial appointment.
a brief career in the Cortcs being the quickest
and most facile means of obtaining Il berth Of
that kind
This little incident goes far 10 explain the de-
plorabc condition Of affairs both in Spain and
in her transporting dependencies Queen
Christmas mistake has been that ever since she
became regent twelve years ago, she has. IKE
her relative, Emperor Francis Joseph been too
scrupulousy Obcdicnt 10 the terms OF The con-
stitution. She submitted to the will OF the pc"-
pie az expressed by the votes In the Cort"s. IN
every respect, reduced herself TO the role OF "A
mere signer Of Ministerial DEGREES that were sub
mitted to her without any regard to her views