The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-22
Many Laws to Emancipate Peo-
pie Installed at Once.
Adopt Liberal British System;
People Run Govt.
TAX SWOLLEN FORTUNES
Remove Burden From Small
Property Owner to Large.
Install S-HOur Day and New
System of Education.
CBy the Associated Press.)

Lisbon, May 22.-President Ber-
nardino Machado of Portugal, told of
the change from monarchy to repub-
licanism in Portugal. and emphasized
the steady march of republican insti-
tutions thruout the world during an
interview today with a representative
of the Associated Press. The presi-
dental quarters are now established
at Belem palace, where King En-
manuel was attending banquet the
night the revolution broke cut, and it
was there the interview took place.
THE esta b1ishment of our republic
is in fact, the adoption of the liberal
British system to conditions in Portu-
gal so that we now have a representa-
tive government for the people, in
stead of a monarchy directing the
government for the privileged class
es,'' the president said. I'VE have
adopted form of government which
is thoroly representative of the people
and in which the government comes
up from the people instead OF
descending from a few ofNIhe top.
Progressive Income Tax.
Our representatives have given
their first attention to economic, So
cial and fiscal measures which would
benefit the great body of the people
instead OF few. For instance We
have now enacted a progressive in
great body of vicious laws and reg
ulations under the monarchy, by
which over a million people of small
Inconsistencies of a small house or
few acres of land-were paying
most of the taxes. We have lifted this
heavy ana unjust burden and placed
it on those better able to pay it with
large incomes. Then we have enact
ed many progressive laws for the bet
terment and protection of the work
.;orl,f .Nf -
to form their own protective organ
izations is now guaranteed and they
are also assured the right to strike
as a measure of self protection. We
have enacted a workmans compensa-
ton law Then we have an eight
hour day modelled after the American
law Still another is a law compell-
ing all employers TO give their en-
ployes one day of rest each week.
I'VE are making progress in all
branches of education, university, high
and secondary schools" he said. we
have even adopted a new form of ed
ucation. which we call mobile schools,
in which the teachers travel about to
the factories to teach women during
hours of leisure. In universities, we
had but one under the monarchy. IN
der the republic we have added two
more. In secondary and elementary
schools additions, facilities and equip
ment have been made"
Separate Church and State.
The president referred with approx
al to the complete separation of church
and state which had been brought
about under the republic. By this new
system the churches remain open but
their activities are restricted to church
affairs without extending into any
public or official activities and the
work they formerly did in conducting
schools. hospitals. etc, has now been
taken over by the state.
President Machadc closed the inter
view by speaking of the warm feeling
between his country and America, add
England, Brazil and the United States
should be closely related in all mat
tiers.