Evening star., 1932-05-15
NEW COSTA RIGA REGIME
HELD VICTORY FOR LAW
Nation Rallied to Support of Don Ricardo
Jimenez When Defeated Can
didate RebelIed.

sary. When the new Congress met ir
san Jose, two weeks ago, ID proceeded
to elect the three "designadoS" (desig-
mates, or vice presidents), the first Of
whom, in accordance with the consti-
tuition, becomes chief executive In abb
sence OF the duly elected President.
Beloved Leader.
Don Ricardo Jimenez was, Of course,
elected primer designado" without any
serious opposition. Upon which. Con-
greSs passed q resolution calling upon
the first designate" to become the
chief executive as constitutional pres
ident of the republic" in view Of the
fact that none Of the candidates OBJ
tained the required absolute majority
in the February elections, and that the
previous Congress, on March 5, had
decided that second election should
not take place"
Thus, Senor Jimenez was legally con-
flrmed head Of the Costa Rican govern
ment for the next four years. position
IN which large majority Of the Costa
Rican people are glad to see him.
PROBABLY no other Costa Rican Is
more entitled than Senor Jimenez to
occupy that post. He Is, as news
dispatch puts it, lone of the most dis
ttnguished statesmen and beloved citi-
zens of the republic"
In the nearly so years of his public
career, which won him honors and dis
tinction as an administrator, as legis-
lator, as political leader, as a jurist,
as diplomat, as university professor,
he has been most jealous Of his political
integrity and his respect for constitu-
tional and legal methods.
His admirers still remember with
pride his resignation from the highest
bench Of the Costa Rican courts, when
President Rodriguez cast aside the Con-
titution and closed an unfriendly Con-
gress manu- military"
In his previous administrations, he
established reputation for his honesty
and firmneSs of character. What bet
ter praise Of his record than the fact
that he has been three times selected,
by popular vote, to fill the highest posi-
ton in the land?
Elected Three Times.
This is the third time that Don
Ricardo. as he Is Familiarity known in
his native country, is at the helm of
the Costa Rican government. And all
three times he got there by the front
door, constitutionally elected and sup
ported by the people. This Is record
which not many Latin American ex-
ecutives-nor many executives from any
other part of the world-have equaled.
He certainly Is the only Costa Rican
to occupy the Presidency three times,
by free election. He also is the only
Costa Rican to have held, successfully,
the three highest offices in the country:
President of Congress, Chief Justice and
President of the Republic.
The number three seems to plav an
important part in Don Ricardo's career.
Besides having been at different periods
the head Of the three branches of the
government, elected chief executive
three times and having served three
times In Congress, he Is the third In his
family to preside over the destinies of
Costa Rica. His father, Don Jesus jim
enez and his grandfather, Senior Orea-
muno, were also Presidents Of the
country.
Other Offices which Don Ricardo has
held at one time or another include:
Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico.
Minister to Nicaragua and Salvador.
Delegate to the Central American Con-
gress OF 1888, Minister of Foreign Re-
lations. He also filled the cabinet posts
OF Interior, Public Works, Education and
Treasury.
As If all this were not enough, Don
Ricardo has also distinguished himself
as an educator. For number of
years he taught law and economics In
the Costa Ricari Law School In the
meantime, he attained prominence as
lawyer.
Friend of United States.
1t is in this latter connection that he
came in contact with United States
interests In his country and showed q
sympathetic understanding of them.
As legal adviser of American concerns.
he endeavored earnestly to harmonise
the viewpoints Of foreign capitalists
with the laws Of the republic. As
government official, he welcomed
foreign enterprises which were not
detrimental to national interests. Don
Ricardo is Wen known in his own
country as a real friend Of the United
States. It Is obvious that this
circumstance can only be Of advantage
to both nations, although relations
between the United States and Costa
Rica have been the best for many wears.
Such Is the man who was inaugiirated
last Sunday president Of Costa Rica.
A few months ago. when the electoral
campaign for the presidency started.
Don Ricardo's stanchest opponent.
Senor Castro Quesada, who also led the
abortive uprising following the elec-
tions, had told group Of his friends:
To get to the presidency, Don Ricardo
VIII have to pass, this time, over my
corpse"
To which Don Ricardo replied.
commenting upon the outburst among
his followers: "Yes, I may have to pass
over his political corpse" And he did.
(copyright, 1s32)