His Majesty promises the introduction of various measures for the benefit of
the country and colonial possessions, the most important being a bill
enunciating ministerial responsibility; a bill regulating the employment of
children in factories; one for reforms in the national laws; and a bill
insuring the freedom of elections and the due representation of
minorities.
There is also reference to a bill for decentralizing in a large measure the
administration of the Portuguese colonial possessions. But as the
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speech, itself clearly sets forth
the whole of the proposed measures, I will not trouble you with a further
abstract The speech more than confirms all my previous statements about the
finances of the country, which are in a very bad way indeed.
[Inclosure in No.
297.—Translation.]
The King’s speech on opening the Cortes,
January 2, 1880.
Noble Peers and Worthy Deputies of the Portuguese
Nation: On opening the present legislative session in
fulfillment of the most grateful duty of royalty, I congratulate myself
I am again surrounded by the representatives of the country.
Our intercourse with foreign nations continues without change, the bonds
of loyal friendship being maintained which assure us of their esteem and
respect for our independence.
Fortunately internal quiet has not been disturbed. The election of
deputies which took place in consequence of the dissolution of the
elective chamber, as well as that for the renewal of the administrative
councils, held in compliance with the new code, were carried out without
disorder.
Availing itself of legal authority the government effected a loan
destined to meet the cost of public works and improvements in the
kingdom and in the ultramarine provinces, the greater portion of which
is now represented by a floating debt. Of the result of this operation,
and the application of its product, an account will in due time be
presented to you by the competent ministers.
In the interval of a little more than six months since the close of the
last legislative session my government has taken the measures which it
considered consistent with good administration of public service to
reduce expenses and to carry out its intentions of economy and upright
administration.
The particular attention of the national representatives should be
directed to the situation of the public finances. Without exaggerating
the gravity of the dangers which may threaten us, or concealing the
existence of the difficulties which require prompt and energetic action
on your part, it ought not to be overlooked that to maintain firmly the
public credit, and the prudent and economical development of the
material and moral progress of the nation, it is indispensable not to
aggravate by fatal delays the great inequality existing between the
receipts and expenditures of the treasury, and to appeal confidently to
the country, laying before it with loyal frankness the state of its
administration and of its imperative necessities.
With discreet outlay of the public moneys, and a firm determination to
renounce all expenditures without a vote authorizing the application,
and availing ourselves of the existing imposts, and with an equal
distribution of new sacrifices upon all classes of citizens, and
confiding in the patriotic co-operation of the whole country and its
representatives, my government hopes that, without disturbing the
condition of the public finances, it will accomplish a progressive
improvement and the indispensable restoration of the national
finances.
Besides the general budget of the state, suitable propositions for
organizing a system of public accounts and a tribunal of audit will be
presented to you in such a shape that the receipts of the treasury
cannot be diverted from their legitimate purposes, and that their
administration may be easily understood.
My government considers these reforms as the fundamental principles of a
hopeful financial reorganization, not only by essentially modifying the
system of the public accounts, but still more by the powers conferred
upon the tribunal of accounts as relates to past expenditures and the
legality of expenses authorized by various ministries. This provision,
when it becomes law, ought to secure to the country an honest
application of the revenues, and the unavoidable responsibility of the
government for the violation of legal appropriations.
Other propositions will also be submitted for your consideration for the
reduction of expenses, the alteration of existing taxes, improving the
manner of their collection, and increasing their receipts.
With the object of facilitating the material improvement of the kingdom,
the government has made a provisional contract for the construction of a
railway from Pampilhosa to Figueira without charge to the treasury, and
hopes to propose to you the methods of rapid communication, and to
complete, in a few years, a network of public roads, and to perfect the
economic and maritime condition of ports.
The affairs of the colonial administration justly occupy the attention of
the country, and the government, sympathizing in this patriotic
sentiment, will submit for your
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consideration various proposals for the reform of the administration
of our ultramarine possessions on the principle of thorough
decentralization, and for the promotion of economic progress.
To supply the requirements of the various administrations and of public
order, proposals will be laid before you to establish ministerial
responsibility; a civil register; electoral reform; that of the civil
administration; of primary and secondary instruction; reorganization of
the army and reserve; reorganization of the technical personnel of the department of public works; anonymous
societies; the national economic fund for retired public employés;
alteration of the judicial system; regulating the working of minors in
factories, and other subjects which may usefully employ your
attention.
Among the reforms which will be proposed to you are those which are
intended to improve popular instruction and secure freedom of
elections—the basis of the representative system; the diminishing the
powers of government agents, excluding them from the collection of
taxes, and annulling their influence in the recruiting service;
abolishing the issue of executions for non-payment of taxes; allowing
minorities their share in the national representation.
If these proposed ameliorations meet your approbation we shall have made
a great step forward on the road of liberal conquests, and the political
institutions which govern us will have received notable
improvements.
Calling your attention to so many and such serious subjects, you will
comprehend the noble and arduous mission that you have to fulfill. Your
devotion and dedication to the national interests are to me sure pledges
that you will respond to the votes of the country, assuring to it the
wisdom and ability of your deliberations, an auspicious period of useful
works and wise reforms, co-operating effectually with the other powers
of the state in the patriotic labor of restoring the finances,
reorganizing the various administrations, and preparing the elements for
future prosperity.
The session is opened.
