The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-19
LEGISLATIVE MACHINERY
DOES NOT WORK SMOOTHLY
Hardly Day When There Are Not
Riotous Scencs In Ancient Par
lament Bu:ldinRs.


Paris, July 1S.-Although the Portu
Suese have had four years experience
with republican government. recent
dispatches from Lisbon have indi-
Gated that the legislative machinery
is stu far from working smoothly
There is hardly a day when there are
not riotous scenes In the ancient Par
Lament buildings. The galleries OF
both houses are filled with armed
partisnns. who applaud. dcridc de-
nounce hiss the utterances OF tho
speakers.
Tho fact that the presidential and
parliamentary elections. the second
in the history OF the new republic. are
pending has lately brought the strug
gle for power to a high pitch of eX-
element. The decree OF the govern
ment fixing the date OF elections hns
not yet been issued. but 1t is expected
that they will be held tho latter part of
August or carly III September. DIR.
der the now Constitution. cannot be
candidate for reelection.
The election of the President is made
by the two houses of Parliament.
The Democrats, led by Dr. Alfonso
Costa. have q majority in the present
was witnessed there recently when
the l;eVolutionists. whose cnief is DIR.
.Almeita. accused the Democratic min
istry Of conniNinS at gross frauds in
tonic Maria de Silva. formerly Min
lister of Public Works. TO exploit the
wafer power OF Rodman Falls. which
engineers consider adequate to sup
ply power and light to Lisbon and all
OF its surrounding provinces. Silva
is now director or posts and tcle
graphs. and one OF the triumviratc rul-
ing the powerful secret society known
rs the Carbonate, with it's 10000 mem
bers.
TIC society is a sort OF government
in tn. shadow alongside the govern
ment in the open. Cabinets come and
go. while tho Carbonate exists al
ways. Only vague rumors OF intrigue
and conspiracy within the society
reach the public. but there are fire.
Tuent instances Of tho power the
cicty Yields.
Debates on the water concession
were interrupted by turior. cries and
disorders in the galleries OF the cham
bcr recently. The spectators were all
armed with rcvolvers. When the pres
ident of the chamber ordered the no.
lice to clear them out, the factionists
in the galleries united against the Of
lccrs. and. reNolvcrs in hand. ,nasscd
Al each entrance to the house, defy
ing tho police to lay HANDS on any
one. AS Il result OF parlcys. the police
agreed TO make no arrests provided
the spectators agreed to leave quietly.
In tho meantime the Deputies were
using canes and fists upon one an
other. Or. Bcrnardino 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, tu desist. lie.
because Of his transparent honesty
and extraordinary devotion TO high
principles. ia respected by every one
and he succeeded this time as he has
done many times before. III bringing
about temporary calm and reconcilia-
ton.
Mach2do surrounded by politicians
of doubtful merit hghtinS for their
own interests. never loses faith in the
republic. He declined the premiership
because nc thought the office could hc
used TO placatc the ambition OF some
other leader, but warning groups would
rather trust hi.n as their first minister
f, thar any one Of their opponents.