The Republican journal., 1903-10-15
SlJCRE.
THE REAL CAPITAL OF BOLIVIA.
CHINCONA BARK, FROM WHICH QUI-
NINE is MADE.

Special Correspondence of The Journal
LA PAz, BOLIVIA, S. A, SEPT. 1st,
1905: The constitutional capital of
Bolivia is not La Paz, as most people
suppose because the government is To-
,-ated there; but Sucre, formerly called
ChuQuisaca-a pleasant little city away
p.t in the interior, to be reac he'd only
by long journey on horse or mule
back. Though Sucre lies at an eleva-
non Of nearly H. 900 feet-on the ridge
mat forms the water-parting between
me Madeira and Paraguay riversys-
-rms-it has much milder climate
an that of La Paz, and is altogether
more agreeable place of residence,
Xcept for Presidents, who find it more
.anvenient to live near the border, so
-Ney can skip out in case of emergency
Wien Bolivia gained her independence,
IL first Congress convened i'll the vii
re OF Chuquisaca; and having changed
S name to Sucre in honor Of local
-.ebrity, the patriots decreed in the
.nstituton that it should remain the
-deral Capital for all time to come
Naturally the people of Sucre are much
utrused because the seat OF govern
-ut has been removed; but really,
e cannot blame the President for not
,Aing to live there, considering the
-ception the citizens gave him on his
Is. visit. They got up d hasty revolu
oN and sailed forth to asSassinate
Ill., He barely escaped by taking
tuge in a church, under the wing of a
rudly priest, from whence he was
-aked out at night disguised as beg
ing monk of the order of San Fran
.,to-gray gown, cowl, rope girdle and
. Accompanied by one faithful ser
mt. he travelled Oh foot for many
...ls. through untold difficulties and
ugers. until at last, exhausted and
-ary starved, he reached the hacienda
A friend, where he remained con
ga.ed until sufficient force arrived to
stort him to La Paz.
The legislative power of this mis-
He'd republic is composed of two
f7uses. Senate and Chamber of Depu-
ss They convene but once year,
ordinary length of session being
Ntv days. There is supposed to be
p Deputy fer every forty thousand
ple. as nearly as the number of in
4.lrants is known. Each department
Bolivia sends two Senators, a DE
tmeut' being about the same as a
-.t.e in the United States. Every de-
ment is divided into three prov
.cs. and each province has capital
. In each of these Capitals resides
luiejpal Governor assisted by a
Wetect, whose office corresponds
What to that of Mayor Both
rect and Governor are pretended to
-tted directly by the people, but it
-ger happens that the President
IS men who are bound to serve him,
-. though he has to send down stran-
iGOm the Federal Capital.
.A executive power is most EN-
.cally in the hands of the Presi-
The constitution says that he
he elected by the people, but that
.+l is even more OF a delusion here
.a IN most republics That venerated
Meut. which processes to be mod
after the constitution of the
-l States of North America. also
hat to be eligible, presidential;
idate must be born in the country
lOes not specify whether of Indian,
rio, spanish or mongrel parentage
a if there are two or three candidates
me field, whose claims cannot be de-
led by vox populi Congress should
Tie the matter by its vote. The
..th is, however, that should such an
-rgency arise, the adherents of each
party would rush to arms against the
rs, and the candidate who could
.unand the most money, and cOnse-
5utly the most men to carry on his
yolution', would seat himself, what:
Congress might have to say about
since all things political are con
"led by the leading few, there is
alrly but one candidate in the field;
election is a foregone conclusion,
AU except by means of revolution the
na5ple have no voice in the matter. a
sjdent is elected for four years, and
Nnot legally serve two consecutive
inns: but in this part of the world
ere might is right, President may
I.ceed himself for an indefinite
eriod, as long as he can maintain con-
'-J Of the army Uneasy lies the
lad that wears crown" and the caput
he President of Bolivia is no excep-
tHu. There is always revolt some
ere, and schemes for his assassina-
ton are frequent. 1t sometimes happens
tItt two or three revolutionary leaders
make themselves President during the
IN allotted to one man. That was
Sc President in the past, who, having
l-tFued that his cabinet were consplr
with certain revolutionists for his
ut-rthroW. gave grand state dinner,