The Sentinel=record., 1914-07-19
RIOTOUS SCENES IN
 LISBON CONGRESS
WHEN PRESIDENT ORDERS THE CHAMBER CLEARED THE PEo-
 PILE RESIST THE POLICE.
Second Election of That Country Has Brought Political Interest to the Highest Tension Known in Govern ment.

Paris, July 1S.-Although the Por. tugese have had four years expert ence with Republican government, recent despatches from Lisbon have indicated that the legislative machin- cry is still far from working smooth ly. There is hardly day when there are not rioutous scenes in the an- cient parliament buildings. The gal leries of both houses are filled with armed partisans who applaud, deride, denounce or hiss the utterances of the speakers.
 The fact that the presidential and parliamentary elections, the second in the history of the new republic, are pending has lately brought the struggle for power to a high pitch of excitement. The decree of the gov ernment fixing the date of elections has not yet been issued but it is ex- pected that they will be held the lat. ter part of August or early in Septem- Der Dr. Manoel Arriaga. the first president under the new constitu- tion, cannot be a candidate for re- election
 The election of the president is made by the two houses of Parlia- ment.
 The Democrats, led by Dr. Alfonso Costa, have a majority in the present House of Deputies. A typical scene was witnessed there recently when the Revolutionists, whose chief is pr. Almeida, accused the Democratic ministry of colniving at gross frauds in connection with a concession to Antonio Maria da. Silva, formerly minister of public works, to exploit the water power of Rodman falls, which engineers consider adequate to supply power and light to Lisbon and all of it's surrounding provinces. Silva is now director of posts and tele- graphs, and one of the trfumvirate ruling the powerful secret society known as the Carbonaria, with it's 10000 members.
 The society is a sort of government in the shadow along side the govern ment in the open. Cabinets come and go, while the Carbonaria exists al. ways Only vague rumors of in. trigue and conspiracy within the so- ciety reach the public, but there are frequent instances of the power the society wields.
 Debate on the water concession were interrupted by furious cries and disorders in the galleries of the chamber recently. The spectators were all armed with revolvers. When the president of the chamber ordered the police to clear them out, the factionists in the galleries united against the officers and, revolvers in hand, massed at each entrance to the house, defying the police to lay hands on any one. AS a result of parleys, the police agreed to make no arrests provided the spectators agreed to leave quietly, as they did.
 In the meantime the deputies were using canes and fists upon one an- other. Dr .Bernardino Machado, the premier who is conspicuous for his refinement and culture. ran from group to group begging the members, in the name of the republic, to desist, He, because of his transparent hon esty and extraordinary devotion to high principles, is respected by every one, and he succeeded this time. as he has done many times before, in bringing about temporary calm and reconciliation.
 Machado, surrounded by politicians of doubtful merit fighting for their own interests, never loses faith in the republic. He declined the premier snip because he thought the office could be used to placate the ambition Of some other leader, but warning groups would rather trust him as their first minister than any one of their ornaments