El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-18
CHINESE ARE
ELECTION 4
CONGRESS
Among Senators Of New Re
public Will Be Two From
United States.
ONE SENATOR IS
FROM PHILIPPINES

Washington, D. c. Jan. Ex-senator.
are now being chosen by the several
provincial assemblies in China The
primary election. for Representatives
was held throughout China on Deem
Der 10 last, and the final elections are
being held now. The new congress
Will meet next month, or as soon as
possible thereafter Its principal duty
will be the adoption Of a complete con-
stitution and the election of a presi-
dent Of the republic. whose term will
be for six years, It is expected. A two
thirds vote will be necessary for the
adoption Of the constitution. All laws
of course. must pass both houses and
get the signature of the president.
Congress will meet twice a year
The powers to be given the presi-
dent of the Chinese republic have not
yet been defined, but it is likely that
they viii be midway between those
exercised by the president of the Unit
ed States and the president of France.
The British system Of having min
1sterlal bench in the house of repre-
sentatiTeS with absolute responsibility
TO parliament will probably be used.
Properly constituted courts will he
organized taxes eQualized and life lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness
guaranteed.
Reform Started in 1911.
Popular agitation for reform IN
China developed into the well organ
lied revolutionary movement in the
spring Of 1911. The appointment Of
the notorious Prince Ching to the new
post Of prime minister, together with
delay in the PRONUNCIATION Of the con-
stitutiOn, even after the prince regent
had appeared to take a personal in
terest in the matter, convinced the
young students who we're developing
throw of the Manchus and their fawn-
ing Chinese officials and the establish
ment Of a republic patterned after the
government OF the United Sta.es,
would give the people the just and
modern administration which they
clamored for.
Renewed demands for a constitution
in June, July and August were met by
the usual promises. In September
Szecnuen province Seetned in the DID,
test against the railway policy of
Sheng Kuan-huai On October 10 the
accidental explosion Of a bomb in Han
koW exposed the revolutionary plot
and precipitated the conflict The
rebels demanded a modern govern
ment and constitution at once. The
4S generals Of the royal army advised
the Manchu court to grant the de-
mands Of the rebels or face certain
destruction Even at that time the
revolutionary leaders would not have
objected TO a limited monarchy with 4
Manchu on the throne, which would De
an ornament and not a burden.
The national assembly drew up I9
fundamental Principles Of government
based on the revolutionary demands.
In the meantime, the Manchus in the
name Of the poor baby infant, in mani
festo after manifesto, did the humble
koW-toW to the rebels and to the whole
people IN a most astonishing manner.
On November 3 the program of the
national assembly was accepted in an
extremely advanced grant of a consti-
tuuonal government, It provided that
the Itching dynasty shall reign for
eVerr' and that "the person Of the en-
perOr shall be invioIabIe" it aIso
said that the power. Of the emperor
shall be limited Dy a constitution; the
order of succession shall be prescribed
by the constitution; and the cOnstitu-
ton shall be drawn up and adopted by
the Sze-cheng-yuan Irrational assem-
Bly, and promulgated by the emper-
or
Throne Gives Up All Power.
This grant gave the parliament abso-
lutte power over taxation and eXpsn-
ditures and made the premier and his
cabinet responsible solely to parlia-
ment 1t was, in essence, the British
constitution put in writing. No power
was held back-the throne abandoned
all substance in the hope Of preserving
the shadow.
This was a remarkable document in
the light Of centuries of Chinese his
tory, and dOubly so when coming from
a Manchu ruler. As further evidence
Of absolute abasement the court two
days later directed that the parliament
be convened Immediately. On Novem-
Der Is Yuan Shih K'ai now premier
announced his cabinet. To appease the
rebels there was only one Manchu
member among nine Chinese, one of
whom was an avOWed rebel leader
Revolution Triumphs.
Too late! The revolution triumphsd.
On February the meperor abdicated,
the ManchuS were cast off forever
A provisional republic was formally
organized March 10, 1912, and now the
Chinese people are selecting members
for the first congress, which viii de-
wise a constitution ADEQUATE for a mod
ern republic and will elect a perman-
ent president, who doubtless will be
the present provisional president, Yuan
Shin Kai. Should he decline The
honor will go to Gen. Ii Yuan-huug.
the provisional vice president and hero
of the revolution. The constitution
which the first congress will formally
adopt has already been outlined by
the national assembly.
The congress of the republic Of
China will consist of a senate and
house Of representatives. Each Of the
Is provinces is entitled to 10 senators.
who will be elected by the provincial
assemblies. Election of senator's will
not be confined to provincial assembly
men. Mongolia will have % senators
Tibet 10, Chinghai 8. In addition, the
Central Educational society will pro-
vide eight, and Chinese citizens who
live abroad will be entitled to six. .
America to Be Represented.
Two or three Of the last named will
he from the United States and one
from the Philippines. The Manila SEN
ator has already been elected in the
person Of Sy Cong Bieng, a millionaire
merchant These outside senators will
he elected by the foreign Chinese
chambers of commerce, which the
Pekfu authorities recognize. The
senators will serve Tor six years, ex-
cent those of the first congress- They
will be divided by lot into three
c-roups- to serve, two, four and six
Years each. Thereafter the term will
he full six years. The senate will have
234 members.
The house of representatives viii
consist of about 500 members, as the
ratio has been fixed at one represen-
tative TO each 100000 of the popula-
lion. The term will be for three years.
A system Of primary and final cleo
lions has been devised.
Widespread poverty and paucity OF
General education will serve to keep
Inc voting population low for several
Years. Any male who is q years Id
and over, who has resided at least two
years In his electoral district, may