The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-03-01
POPULAR ELECTIONS
HEREAFTER IN URUGUAY
New Constitution Went Into Effect To.
day Whereby Both President and
National Council of Administra-
ton Are to Be Chosen by
the People.

Washington, d. C., March DIR. Bal.
| thazar BTum, inaugurated to-day presi-
| dent of Uruguay, by the Senate and
Chamber of Deputies, will be the last
chief executive of his country elected by
| Congress- To-day the new constitution
of Uruguay goes into effect and il pro-
yides for the popular election by direct
vote of the people Of both the president
and the national council of administra-
ton.
President Brum, whose rise in political
office in his country has been remarkable,
visited the United States last August as
the guest of the nation and created a
most favorable impression among off
Gals here by the quickness of his grasp
upon the affairs Of this country and his
sympathy with the ideals which led the
| United States to take part in the Eu-
ropean war. As minister of foreign
affairs of Uruguay he had several diplo-
matte relations between his country and
| Germany and had enunciated the prin-
ciple that no American country that in
defense Of its own rights finds itself at
war with nations of other continents
should be considered a beIligerent by
! Uruguay. This made it possible for
Uruguay to welcome the American
squadron, commanded by Admiral Caper.
ton, to the port Of Monteyideo, which
became the headquarters of the allies in
the south Atlantic,
The national council of administration
of Uruguay appoints the following mem
bers Of the presidents cabinet: Ministers
of industries and labor, public instruc-
I Z sv,I ,,vIE3a II
! lie health service is also under the coun-
ellis control, The president appoints only
the ministers of foreign affairs, interior,
army and marine. The national council
! is composed of nine members, each elect
ed for six years, but is renewed every
| two years by the election of three mem
bers. Six members, or two-thirds of the
council, who went into Office to-day, are
representatives OF the majority party,
while one-third represent the minorities.
This council plays an important part
| in the government OF Uruguay, takes
some Of the load off the shoulders of the
chief executive, and acts as a check upon
hiIs The council may authorize any
member to go before Congress and speak
on matters pertaining to his department.
| If he is member of Congress and is
elected to the council his right as con-
gresham would be suspended. 1t pre-.
pares the budget, collects the taxes, may
| initiate new laws, arranges foreign or in
| ternational loans and provides for the in
| crease or reduction Of the national cur
rency.
Many other important features are
contained in the new constitution. For
the first time, beginning to-day, the
church and state are separated in Uru-
quay. All religious beliefs are free and
on an equal footing in the country. No
churches are to be taxed and, as a meas
ure of fairness the government Fecog.
nizes the title of the Catholic church,
which was the official church, to all
churches built or in process of construc-
tion with national funds except chapels
in asylums, hospitals and prisons con.
trollcd by the government.
The new constitution also provides for
compulsory registration of voters, pro-
hibits membership by police or military
on active duty in political clubs or THEN
taking part in any political activities eX,
cept to vote, provides for the secret bal.
lot, with full guarantees and integral
proportionate representation of all par.
ties.
Woman suffrage is not granted at once
to the women of Uruguay by the new
constitution, but it provides the right tc
vote in municipal, federal or state cleo,
tions shall be accorded women when Con.
gress by a two-thirds vote of the total
membership so determines.