The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-01
POPULAR VOTE
 WILL ELECT TIE
 NEXT PRESIDENT

Washington, March 1-DT. Baltha- Ear Brurn, inaugurated touAy presi- dent of Uruguay, by the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, will be the last chief executive of his country elected by Congress. Today the new consti- tuition of Uruguay goes into effect and it provides for the popular election by direct vote of the people of both the President and the National Coun- ell of Administration.
 President Bruru, whose rise in poll dcal office in his country has been remarkable, visited the United States last August as the guest of the ma tion and created a most favorable - impression among officials here by the Huickness of his grasp upon the af fairs of this country and his sympathy with the ideas which led the United Etates to take a, part in the European fwar. As Minister of Foreign Affairs Iof Uruguay he had severed diplomatic (relations between his country and | Germany and had enunciated the | principle that no American country that in defense Of it's own rights finds itself at war with nations of other continents should be considered beIligerent by Uruguay. This made it possible for Uruguay to welcome the American squadron, commanded by Admiral Caperton, to the port of Montevideo, which became the head quarters of the Allies in the South Atlantic.
 The National Council of Admins tration is composed of nine members, each elected for six years, but is re- newed every two years by the election Of three members. Six members, or two-thirds of the Counhil. who went into OffiSa today tn of the majority party. while one-third represent the rninorities.
 This Council plays an important part in the government of Uruguay, takes some of the load off the should CTS of the Chief Executive and acts as g. check upon him. The Council may authorize any member to go be- fore Congress and speak on matters pertaining to his department. If he is q member of Congress and is elect ed to the Council his right as Con- gressman would be suspended. It prepares the budget, collects the taxes, may initiate new laws, ar ranges foreign or internal loans and provides for the increase or reduction of the national currency.
 Many other important features are contained in the new constitution For the first time, beginning today the church and state are separated 1T Uruguay. All religious beliefs are free and on an equal footing in the country. No churches are to be tax. ed and, as a measure of fairness the government recognizes the title of the Catholic Church which was the off. cial church, to all churches built ol in process of construction with na. tional funds except chapels in asy- Iums, hospitals and prisons controlled by the government.
 The new constitution also provide Tor compulsory registration of voters prohibits membership by police ol military on active duty in poIitica clubs or their taking part in any poIt tlcaI activities except to vote, pro Vides for the secret ballot with fuI guarantees and integral proportiohst representation of all parties
 Woman suffrage is not granted A once to the women of Uruguay bv tb, new Constitution, but it provides in rlght to vote in municipal federal O state elections shall be accorded wo men when Congress by two-third vote of the total membership so deter mines.