No. 196.
Mr. Francis to Mr. Fish.
Athens, February 15, 1873. (Received March 12.)
Sir: The general election for the choice of representatives to the Greek chamber commenced on Saturday, the 8th, and continued four days, closing on Tuesday, the 11th instant. In previous dispatches I had, upon misinformation arising from the confusion of old and new styles in computing time, erroneously stated the date of the beginning of the election as the 27th ultimo.
The last previous general election in this kingdom occurred on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of March, 1872.
Deputies to the chamber are elected to serve for three years. But the King may at any time dissolve the chamber, and order a new election. [Page 434] Thus, by royal decree, there have been two general elections in this king dom within a period of less than one year. The election which closed on the 11th instant was the most quiet one that has occurred in Greece in many years. The only disturbances thus far reported took place at Messenia, where, it is said, three murders were committed, and at Zirochori, in Eubœa, where mob violence prevailed to some extent; but these districts embrace disorderly elements that always appear in more or less tumultuous proceedings on election occasions.
The result of the elections is considered favorable to the existing ministry. By far the ablest opposition leader, Mr. Commonuduros, who has for many years served as deputy from Messenia, obtaining successive elections almost without opposition, has now for the first time suffered defeat in his district. Tricoupi, Delyanni, and Nicolopoulo, standing next to Commonuduros, as strong men of the opposition, have also been defeated.
Mr. Delegeorges, the prime minister, seems to have gained largely in popularity throughout the kingdom by his stubborn resistance of the demands of France and Italy on the Lauriume question. If compelled to yield at last to overruling pressure, a contingency that is by no means improbable, he will be likely to lose a sufficient number of supporters in the new chamber, which is to meet at the capitol on the 26th instant, to insure his speedy downfall.
The following interesting facts have been furnished me regarding Greek elections: “It is computed that every general election costs the government about 800,000 drachmas, and that each candidate spends on an average 3,000 drachmas for election expenses, although it has been known that in the larger towns these expenses amount in the aggregate to as much as 30,000 to 50,000 drachmas. Now, as there are generally about six hundred candidates for the one hundred and ninety odd seats in the Greek legislature, and as two elections have taken place within twelve months, it is estimated that the luxury of a parliament has cost this country something like 5,500,000 drachmas for the year, not including the payment of members and office expenses, which amount to 350,000 drachmas annually, making altogether about $1,000,000 in American money.”
I am, &c.,