Evening star., 1935-08-04
BY GASTON NERvAL.

~ OSTA RIGA, one Of the small
est but the most progressive
Of the Central American re-
~ publics, has often given les
sons In democracy and political ma
turity to other nations of the West
ern Hemisphere. To-day when trends
Of personalism and perpetuation in
power are again making headway
in certain parts Of Latin America it
Is the Costa Rican President who
steps forward in defense OF constitu-
tional government and political
democracy.
Don Ricardo Jinnenez, chief exec
utive of Costa Rica since 1882, has
unequivocally put an end to all talk
Of the possibility of his reelection,
which has been suggested by an over
whelming number Of his friends and
admirers. Ard If ever there was q
man in public office who could have
assured his continuance in power by
a mere nod of assent that was Senor
JimeneZ.
Three times carried to the highest
post in the land, In alternate terms,
by the vote of his countrymen Don
Ricardo, as he Is known by all Costa
Ricans, had neither political nor legal
obstacles to overcome if he had chosen
to succeed himself. He was exercis-
ing the presidency this time in his
character Of first designate" in the
absence of a chief executive elected
by absolute majority Of votes, as pre-
scribed by law. The constitution
could, therefore, have been interpreted
as not barring him from the coming
presidential election. AS for political
support in the electoral contest, he
could count on 1t honestly, without
the pressure or the devices used by
seh-imposed candidates elsewhere, his
ability and personal integrity being
unanimously recognized.
Yet Senor Jimenez has stated that
the spirit of the constitutional pro-
vision forbidding a chief executive to
succeed himself was to prevent the
same man from holding the reinS of
power in two consecutive terms, nc
matter whether he did so in the first
as designate" as provisional presi-
dent or merely in temporary capac-
ity. ITO take advantage of a legal
technicality to overcome the conSti-
tuition would be q subterfuge" he
added, "and do not wish that my
name be forgotten in history with
those Of other Latin American dicta-
tors, who. once in power. betrayed the
democratic principles for which they
had merited the confidence and good
will of their countrymen."
The history Of internal politics in
nearly every one Of the Latin Amer
ican republics is crowded with ex-
amples of ambitious statesmen and
"caudillos" who suddenly discovered
in themselves a divine mandate and
proclaimed their continued perma.
nence in the government indispensable
to the welfare and safety of the
country.
One after another, these choser
men set aside constitutions or hac
these reformed to suit their plans, 81
that they might remain in power II
complete the task with which the!
were Entrusted by Providence" Th'
will of the people did not count. Pop
ular dissatisfaction did not mean {
thing. The presence of those priv
legged men" in power was for the bet
ter, so they themselves announced
and nothing should stand in the way
Indispensable Men"
Thus indispensable men" have ap.
peared from time to time in the scene
of Latin American politics-some care
full to the end in modifying or twist
ing constitutional provisions, to savt
appearances and legalize their rule
others, scorning openly the law anc
assuming a clear-cut dictatorial mood
In both cases their main endeavol
has been to keep themselves in power
on the assumption that no one coulc
replace them.
The practice, Of course, has moi
originated in Latin America. 1t ha.
existed in the world ever since gov.
ernment existed, and it has come
down through the ages with LITTLE
fundamental variations. But in re.
publican Latin America it seems tt
have found q more fertile ground thar
anywhere else in contemporary his.
| tory.
The usual process in Latin Ameri.
can country is this: When the Chiei
Executive has made up his mind tc