New-York tribune., 1910-10-07
AIMS OF REPUBLICAN
PARTY IN PORTUGAL
Programme Given in Detail by
TheophiIe Braga, Now Pro-
viSiOnaI President.
CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM
Reform of Legislative, Executive
and Judicial Powers Proposed
Safeguards for Indi-
vidual Liberty.

nroyisional government of Portugal, in g.
recent issue of 20 Mundo.'' the official
newspaper of the Republican party in
Portugal, gives the programme of that
party in detail. He says:
The constitutional political system,
founded on an irrational amalgamation Of
sovereignty by divine right with SOW
ereignty of the people could only have its
origin in and be sustained by the false
conception OF temporary compromise be-
tween 'absolutism and the revolution 1t
was this compromise which prevented the
glorious work accomplished at the end of
the eighteenth century and made the nine
teenth century pass among unstable po-
litical conditions, without practical So
luton of the social problem having as
vet been found. The public had confidence
in this system. conceived by idealistic the
orists, but practical experience extending
over more than a half century has proved
that the said compromise or agreement
was counterfeited by absolutism, which,
having been intrusted with the task OF
carrying 1t out, covered up monarchlcal
despotism with the parliamentary system
and with cabinets resisting the will OF
the legislature.
This constitutional system, which could
not well be accepted even as transitory
makeshift used all possible means, ooth
subtle and violent, for attaining perma-
nency. such as the armed Intervention or
foreign governments, thereby obstructihs
ali progress and weakening the nation by
financial ruin. by the degradation OF In
dfviduaI character and making even Hs
own autonomy q laughing stock
The absolutism concealed in the granted
ACly al
most absurd abuse of ministerial dictator
ship, and the people cannot bear 1t, whlle
revolutionism has constantly kept its as
pirations in check by confining itself to the
expression of opinions based on conviction,
both legitimate and scientific, such as are
at the present time constructively set forth
by modern democracy. These are the rea-
sons why the Republican party exists In
Portugal and why 1t has entered into
close international union with the democ-
racy of the Latin nations.
In view of the forerunners of a tremen-
dous national disaster (the loss of the colo
nies the surrender of the public revenues
to foreign syndicates and the consequent
conversion of Portugal into Spanish prov
ince), it is necessary for the country to
have a party of its own which will fight
for It's dignity and independence, taking
from modern civilization the foundations
for new political reorganization. This
conviction has stimulated the spontaneous
organizati ton of the Portuguese Republican
party, which is developing in proportion
to the increasing detection of the people
and the extension of modern knowledge
which flows toward us on the mighty Eu-
ropean stream of enlightenment. If this
party is to utilize its power, it is necessary
.l1. -l>O, oil nd a
ing of the conditions through which the
Portuguese nation is passing at the pres
ent time. and there must be unity of will
power to meet the terrifying crisis.
A mere critical review of the political
events and of the dissolution Of the mon
archcal parties is sufficient to explain the
actual situation.
Unanimity of mind must be secured by the
scientific truth and timeliness of the demo-
cratic doctrines, even in the event of their
more narrow application 20 the reorganiza-
ton OF our small country.
The history of civilization demonstrates
that the liberty which it assures consists in
the independence and co-existence of the
'1ndvidual' and OF the state" AS an in
cOrporator of all that constitutes liberty
the state is the realization of "consta Mt
watchfulness," or:
Equality before the law Individual La
bility):
Equality in lawmaking Universal suf-
frage);
Equality I'm the execution of the law Cthe
delegation Of temporary. revocable powers).
The complete exercise of these functions,
safeguarded by the state, results in indi-
vidual autonomy or. in other words. in
liberty in all direct, speculative or modify
ing human acts.
All reforms must be concomitant with the
| two following political factors:
ORGANIZATION of the Powers Of the State,
The Legislative Power.
l. Federation of municipalities, to enact
| in provincial assemblies all laws concerning
the safety and finances of the province, as
well as its public schools. the acts of such
assemblies to be subject TO the approval OF
the national assembly in all interprovincia
matters.
2. Federation of provinces, TO enact laws
| in the national assembly; approve. with due
| consideration for the general interest the
acts of the provincial assemblies and guart
the autonomy and integrity Of the nation
TO undertake the periodical revision of the
political constitution and to revise the gen
| eral code Of law.
| The Executive Power.
| The ministerial power is divided int
| three great departments:
| % The Departmental Public Safety, com
prising the armed land and naval forces
/ the civil and fiscal police. Justice and cor
rection. Individual safeguards and interna
| tional relations.
(2) The Department of Public Education
1 comprising primary. scientific and technica
| education. public worship and church af
fairs, fine arts, public health. public relie
| and civil rewards.
| CD The Department OF Public Economy
| comprising agriculture, industry, commerce
| and navigation, concessions for works
posts and telegraphs. collection of taxes
statistics and general accounts.
| The judicial Power.
This comprises % Legal proceedings. con
ciliatory, preparatory, arbitration and re
| visionary.
| 90 Civil law, single actions. collective &C
| tions and special proceedings.
go Criminal, political and admnistratlv
law
| Determination OF Individual Safeguards
% Essential factors of freedom Grant o
| political and civic safeguards Germany
sixteenth century,.
| Freedom of conscience. with civil an,
political equality for all religious denomina
| tions Abolition of the oath for civil am
political acts. Obligatory registration o
/ arrias NJ 4