Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-11
cARLos's TROUBLED REIGN.
Proclaimed Dictatorship to Curb Fac.
tions in Cortes-Escaped Bomb.

Proclaimed Dictatorship to Curb Fac.
tions in .Cortes-Escaped Bomb.
King Carlos I. was born on Decem-
ber %, 1863. He was the son Of Lui2
l. and Of Maria Pia, the daughter OF
Victor Emmanuel II. of Italy, and Sis
ter Of King Humbert. Carlos ascended
to the throne on October 10, 1889, upon
the death Of his father.
In the eyes Of many Carlos was look
ed upon as usurper. He was only a
member Of the house Of Braganza in the
female line. Many Portuguese felt that
the rightful, sovereign should have been
the Duke Miguel Of Braganza. On the
abdicaton of King Pedro w. in 1888
the crown passed to his daughter who
became queen under the name of Maria
II. da Gloria. instead of to his brother
Dom Miguel, from whom the present
duke of Braganza is descended.
Maria II. married Ferdinand, prince
of SAKE Coburg and Gotha and he was
made king of Portugal, reigning joint
ly with her. From this couple the reg
nant house has taken the name OF
Sake Coburg and Gotha- -Braganza. The
late king was the grandson Of Queen
Maria and King Ferdinand.
The. father Of Carlos, King Luiz, was
on easygoing good-natured monarch,
and Carlos inherited many Of his traits
Carlos was a big man physically,
weighing over 800 pounds. He made
many trips to European capitals and
was considered eXtravagant, even as
kings go. He was an expert swimmer,
and it Is told of him that once he at
tackled singlehanded highwayman who
had set upon a wayfarer with n knife.
From the outset Of his reign Carlos
had trouble There was opposition to
his management Of governmental af-
fair, from those who were in favor of
a republican form Of government. A
strong socialistic and anarchistic fac
tion also developed in the great com.
mercial cities of the kingdom. In re-
cent years the Cortes has been so split
up into factions that legislation became
impossible. Even the necessary appro-
priations to carry on the government
could not be passed.
The king repeatedly warned the lead
ers Of the factions that they must get
together for the transaction Of busi-
ness, but all efforts to unite them even
temporarily were in vain. Ministry sue
ceeded misintry at short intervals and
the country was in danger Of falling
into chaos. In this situation the king
made bold stroke.
About a year ago he isued decree
suspending the constitution and pro-
claimed the premier, who was the lead
er of one of the Liberal, though not Re-
publican, factions. Joao Ferreira Fran
co, dictator of the realm.
This was the signal for the outbreak
Of savage rioting in all the leading ci-
ties. In November, 1907, there was
fearful bloodshed for several days In
Lisbon. This was several times renew
ed, but Franco proved to be a strong
man. The troops remained faithful and
the disturbances were firmly put down.
Since then the condition Of unrest
has remained unchanged. Something
ike revolution has always been on the
verge of breaking out, but Franco held
his own and the king backed him up,
steadfastly refusing to reconvene the
Cortes until he was assured that the
factional differences would end.
For a time King Carlos kept away
from public functions for the purpose
of avoiding demonstrations against
him. He also took means by making
excursions to the military centres and
concessions to the troops to secure
their loyalty. Through these troublous
times there was talk Of the king abdi-
ca ing, but it was always denied and
seems to have been without any foun-
dat ton.
Then the crown prince went on q
two months trip to Africa to Visit the
Portuguese colonies there. He was re-
ceived with much favor and returned
to Portugal to oppose vigorously MS
fathers dictatorship. He advised his
father that if the thing was kept up II
would mean that Portugal would be-
come a hotbed Of republicans and an
archists and might mean the over
throw Of the monarchy. The crown
prince was lined up with the conserva-
tives who oddly enough were the rev.
olutionary party, and at one time there
was q report that his father had BAN
ished him. This was not true, but the
situation became so strained that a
strict press censorship was established
Early in December two bombs were
found in a Lisbon theatre where King
Carlos had been to see the perform
ance. 1t was not uncommon for bombs
to be thrown in the street. and one
bomb, said to have been intended for
the king. killed two physicians.
King Carlos married on May %, 1883
Maria Amelie of Orleans, daughter OF
the Comte de Paris, head of the old
royal house Of France. She became
Queen Maria Amelie. She is a sister
of the present duke Of Orleans. They
had two sons, Luiz Philippe, who was
born on March 81, 1887. He was the III
fated prince just killed with his father
Manuel, the second son, who is now
king through the death of his father
and the crown prince, was born on NO
vember Is, 1889. He bore the title of
Duke of Beja.
The queen has recently made an ex-
tended visit to England. She went
there to be present at the marriage oi
her sister the Princess Marie, who was
married recently to one Of her Italian
cousins. After the wedding the queen
was the guest Of King Edward. She
was one of the galaxy Of five queens
who delighted London society this win
| ter.
81 A bee that works only by night Is
found in the jungles of India. 1t Is an
Il INN