Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-01-16

them on solidity of construction, al
though, like the apartment houses Of
Vienna and Berlin they lack what we
consider the ordinary comforts OF
life.
The parliament house has already
cost $1O.OO0,000. which is equivalent
to twice that amount in our country
as values go. It has been twenty
years in building, and although 1t will
not be completed for a year or two
more it is occupied by the two houses
of parliament for the first time this
winter. The interior is a blaze OF
splendor, marble stairways. pillars
ceilings and walls, onyx pillars. man.
tells and door frames, bronze and
brass work that glisten with polish,
mosaics of gold and colors. and bril-
liant mural decorations in Egyptian
Moorish, Saracenic and modern pos
ter effects-a wild kaleidoscope of
color and gliding which gratifles the
Magyars, race that retains to this
day the oriental features, passions
and tastes. of its ancestors. Here
and there within the building you
will find group of Ionic and Corin-
THAN capitals, and exquisite exam
pies of Gothic tracery. both in oak
and marble, in the aches, windows,
wainscoating and screens.
The throne room where the emper-
or sits once year ana receives an
address from his loyal Hungarian
subjects, and the two legislative
halls, are magnificent apartments, de-
Of
They are equal to the best parts OF
our congressional library at Wash
ington, and the libaries, readings
rooms. committe-rooms, restaurants
and other accommodations for the
members of the Hungarian legisla-
ture are much superior to anything
that can be found elsewhere. Be
sides them the interior OF our capitol
at Washington looks primitive and
shabby.
In the midst of all these refined and
artistic surroundings the Hungarian
parliament often resembles a bedlam,
for the science of selfgovernment
is not yet fully understood. and the
''inestimable blessings of liberty" are
supposed to include the privilege OF
quarreling and fighting over absurd
and insignificant issues. A Hungar-
ian political meeting resembles
Donnybrook fair. and the popular
elections are always attended by
riots and often a large loss of life.
In October last not less than thirty
eight persons were killed at the polls
and a much larger number wounded.
,,1a fory
killed and seventeen wounded in a
collision between the supports of op-
posing candidates for parliament. and
at several places troops were called
out to quell disorders.
The most remarkable incident of
the campaign was the defeat of Colo
man TisZa, leader of the liberal party
since 1866 and the man to whom Hun
gary, more than to any other, owes
its resurrection and present proud
position. He is without doubt, the
ablest, wisest and most progressive
statesman in the kingdom. He ranks
in Hungary as Gladstone did in Eng
land, Bismarck in Germany, or John
Sherman in the United States, and
has spent his life in the regeneration
of his country. His victories In
peace were greater than any Hungar-
ian has ever won in war, yet he is
defeated for a seat in parliament by
a candidate whose name Is unknown
outside of his own neighborhood.
On the opposite side of the square
from the parliament house is noble
building of the renaissance school for
the supreme court, and along the
banks of the Danube for nearly
mile are a succession OF splendid edi-
fees. all built within the last quarter
of century by the government for
public purposes-museums, llbaries,
art galleries, custom-houses. offices
for the executive departments and
the courts, the stock exchange and
the national bank-divided by pretty
little parks and open spaces which
have been ornamented with statues
and monuments to Hungarian states
men. poets, soldiers and other dis
tinction.
The banks of the Danube are wall
ed up with stone, with two terraces,
the lower one furnishing landing
piers for freight and passengers
from the thousands of steamers that
ply the river. The uper terrace is
utilized as promenade. which is
sought by the people OF the city
every evening and during their leis-
ure hours. Cafes, musical gardens
and cozy little groves afford a rem
devious for social parties, and during
the summer season half the popula-
tion may be found upon this esplan-
ade. A few miles down the river is
an island. which has been fitted up
as pleasure ground, and is sought
by the common people. There are
wide parks in different directions
and the facilities for amusement are
as ample as they are in Paris.
The street cars system OF Buda-
pest is considered the best in the
world. and has been initiated by sew
eral American cities, including Wash
ington. The underground railway is