The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-10-17
SIJCRR.
THE REAL CAPITOL OF BOLIT-
 IA.
A Prs'idsnt With Real Executive Powsr-Chinooaa Bark From Which QuInine Is Made.


 La Paz, Bolivia, s. A., Sept. 1, 1903.
 The constitutional capital of Bolivia Is not La Paz. as most formerly called Chuquisaca-a pleasant little city away of in the interior, to be reached only by a long journey on horse or mule back. Though Sucre lies at an elevation of nearly eeven thousand feet-on the ridge that forms the water-parting be- tween the Madeira and Paraguay river systems-it has a much milder climate than that of La Paz, and is altogether a more agreeable place of residence except for presidents, who find it more convenient to, live near the border, so that, they can skip out fin case of emer- gency, When Bolivia gained her inde- pendence, the first congress convened in the village of Chnquisaca; and having changed it's name to Sucre in honor of a local celebrity, the patriots decreed in the constitution that it should remain the federal capital for all time to come. Naturally the people of Sucre are much incensed because the seat of govern ment has been removed; but really, one cannot blame the president for not wishing to live there. considering the reception the citizens gave him on his last visit. They got up hasty revolu- tion and sallied forth to assassinate him, He barely escaped by taking re- fuge in church, under the wing of a friendly priest, from whence he was sneaked out at night disgusted as beg ging monk of the order of San Francis co-gray gown, coWl, rope girdle and all. Accompanied by one faithful servant, he travelled on foot for many days, through untold difficulties and dangers, until at last, exhausted and neary straved, he reached the hacienda of a friend, where he remained concealed until sufficient force arrived to escort him to La Paz.
 The legislative power of this mis- called republic is composed of two houses, senate and chamber of depu- ties. They covene but once year, the ordinary length of session being sixty days. There is supposed to be one dep uty for every forty thousand people, as nearly as the number of inhabitants is known. Each department of Bolivia sends two senators, department" be- ing about the same as state in the United States Every department is di- vided into three provinces, and each province has a capital city. In each of these capitals resides a municipal gov ernor, assisted by the local prefect whose office corresponds somewhat to that of mayor. Both prefect and goy- ernor are pretended to be elected sdi- rectly by the people, but it oftener hap pens that the president elects men who are bound to serve him, even though he has to send down strangers from the federal capital W e s! 4 tIae
 The executive power is most emphat- ically in the hands of the president The constitution says that he shall be elected by the people, but that myth is even more of a delusion here than in most republics. That venerated docu- inent, which professes to be modelled af- ter the constitution of the United States of North America, also says that to be eligible, 8 presidential candidate must be born in the country, but does not specify whether of Indian, Cholo, Span ish or mongrel parentage; and if there are two or three candidates in the field, whose claims cannot be decided by vox populi, congress should settle the mat ter by it's vote. The truth Is, however, that should such an emergency arise, the adherents of each party would rush to arms against the others; and the candidate who could command the most money, and consequently the most men to carry on his revolution" would seat himself, whatever congress might have to say about it. Since all things politi- cal are controlled by the leading few, there is rarely but one candidate in the field, his election is a foregone conclu- sion, and except by means of revolution the people have no voice in the matter. A president is elected for four years. and cannot legally serve two consecu- tive terms; but in this part of the world where might is right, president may succeed himself for an indefinite period, as long as he can maintain control of the army. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" and the caput of the president of Bolivia is no exception. There is always a revolt somewhere. and schemes for his assassination are frequent. It sometimes happens that two or three revolutionary leaders make themselves president during the term allotted to one man. That was wise president in the past who, having learned that his cabinet were conspir- ing with certain revolutionists for his overthrow, gave a grand state dinner, to which they were all invited, together with several leading malcontents. In the midst of the banquet in walked a squad of soldiers, and at given signal each shot his man; so that on the mor- row new cabinet had to be appointed, and for some time there was no further trouble.
 No matter what congress may legis- late, nothing becomes a law without the presidents signature. According to the revised constitution, capital punishment has been abolished in Bolivia, except for two crines-assassination and re- bellion against the government Though the barbarism of hanging men up by the neck. until they are dead is not perpetrated here, they are shot as traitors on the slightest pretext. if in- clined to differ with the powers that be.