You will observe that the President opens his message with the enunciation of
the principle of popular sovereignty, and declares that the legislative
authority during the past two years dictated laws in opposition to the
interests of its constituents, and in nihilation of branches of the
Government, especially in that of the department of finance. It was,
therefore, on account of the restrictions imposed upon him that it became
impossible to save the national credit, unless with a firm hand, and by
change of advisers in his cabinet he should assume, for a time, supreme
executive power. Hence his decree of June 26, 1887. That his course of
conduct met with popular approval was illustrated by the demonstrations of
good will and enthusiastic reception throughout his tour of visit to the
eastern departments of the Republic. And, although at first the
representative of Mexico refused to recognize the new order of things, that
now an arrangement has been perfected by which the Republic of Mexico, in
common with all other powers represented at this capital, renews its
friendly attitude in harmonious recognition of a firm, existent fact.
The other portions of the message refer, as you will note, to the domestic
affairs of the Republic, of which, from time to time, you have been advised,
so far as the same relate to the interests of our fellow-citizens resident
here.
There seems to be perfect accord between the national administration and the
legislative assembly, presaging unity of action and a harmonious execution
of the laws.
[Inclosure in No. 716.]
Synopsis of message presented to the national
constituent assembly by General Manuel Lisandro Barillas, President
of the Republic of Guatemala, the 1st day of October,
1887.
It opens with a declaration of popular sovereignty, and its recognition
by the executive as co-operating in the executiou of the laws.
But in the experience of the past two years, owing to the faithlessness
of the legislative assembly towards its constituents by hampering the
action of the administration, [Page 81]
and imposing restrictions upon the department of finance, and thus
seriously impairing the national credit, it became necessary for the
President to issue a decree on the 26th of June last, by which the
executive power assumed supreme authority.
The people sanctioned this decree by loyal manifestations of good will
and enthusiastic reception of the President on his visiting tour through
the eastern department of the Republic.
Foreign representatives acquiesced in the new condition of things,
including an entire change of cabinet, except the minister from Mexico,
who stated that he would refer to his Government in the matter.
Subsequently, however, owing to the “kind and spontaneous initiative” of
the German minister, an “arrangement” has been made by which the
“Mexican flag salutes” the assembly, “together with the flags of all the
powers which are represented here.”
A minister has been sent from Guatemala to Washington, where he has
received the cordial and kind reception characteristic of the great and
intelligent people of the United States of America.
The President regards the establishment of a permanent legation in the
United States as indispensable.
Pardons for political offenses were promulgated by decree from the 30th
of June to the 15th of September, so that the punishment inflicted would
not be more than the prison confinement. The executive power, however,
reserved the right to grant or refuse pardon according to
circumstances.
In relation to action upon the ecclesiastical authority, and to avoid
controversies between church and state, and in conformity with the
practice of monarehs in Catholic countries, it was found necessary to
apply article No. 92 of the penal code, punishing with imprisonment, or
a fine from $300 to $3,000, every person in this Republic who would
execute briefs, receipts, or orders from the Roman curia, publish or
circulate same.
The archbishop, counsellor at law, Don Ricardo Casanova y Estrada,
disobeyed article 92, and was exiled from the country.
The habeas corpus act will continue in force, as a constitutional
guarantee, as now defined by the penal code, but its regulation is to be
more clearly defined by an initiatory sketch which will be at a future
day sent to the assembly.
Agriculture is to be protected in a decided and well considered
manner.
Inasmuch as “it is a principle in economy that competition betters and
cheapens everything,” the President has thought proper to utilize
several lines of steamers for trade and agriculture. The line of the
Marquis de Campo has been opened to traffic, and in order to prevent the
enjoyment of invidious privileges an abatement of 3 per cent, was
ordered on the duties for articles imported by steamers of regular and
direct lines, and another rebate of 29/10 per cent for the merchandise
brought by regular steamers running between San Francisco, Cal., and
Panama.
The German Kosmos line has received a subvention
of $1,000 for every direct trip between Europe and the ports of
Guatemala.
The railway line between Escuintla and the capital, although put in
public service on the 15th of September, 1884, has never been officially
received. Differences and deficiencies in the details of the contract,
as to the execution of the work, were to be submitted to the decision of
official engineers, chiefly as to the construction of bridges, wooden
ones being used temporarily, instead of iron ones for a permanency.
These differences and deficiencies are to be reconciled and the road to
be received and the subvention regulated by mutual agreement. This has
been accepted, and the executive power proclaimed the contract of July
13, 1880, to be in force and agreed that the payment of the stipulated
subvention should be “effectuated” in a term of thirty years instead of
twenty-five, which had been previously fixed, deducting $50,000 annually
during the first six years.
A railway communication to the Atlantic coast is expected to open next
year.
Articles of necessity have been imported from California to be sold at a
price so that the poorer classes would not suffer.
Steps have been taken to improve the condition of the army and replenish
the stores of arms and ammunition; the militia is to be reorganized on
the Prussian basis.
Great attention has been paid to public instruction; 25 primary schools
have been opened; 7 have been re-established; 16 have been declared
national schools, and subventions have been granted 26. The nurseries of
instruction have been increased by 85, and the pupils by nearly 4,000.
The sum of $19,543 has been expended by the present Government in
buildings and repairs to schools. Inspectors of primary instruction have
been appointed.
It was found necessary to abolish the syndicate, owing to the
irregularity and neglect in book-keeping, and to regulate the way by
which the national treasury would be enabled to replace the abolished
establishment.
The decree with regard to pensions was abolished as having a retroactive
effect.
[Page 82]
A transitory duty has been established on the exportation of coffee, the
deeree stating that as long as high prices were maintained in the
foreign markets $1 would be charged for every hundred weight of the
berry exported.
The premium in favor of exports of sugar has been abolished.
A reduction has been made upon the excessive duties charged upon tobacco
imported.
Stringent regulations have been enforced to prevent frauds on the
revenue, both as to imported and manufactured liquors at home.
A decree which rendered the working of coal mines difficult has been
abolished.
Finally, the executive has ordered the settlement; of the public debt,
appointing a fixed sum for the payment of interest and amortization, as
well as a method to collect and verify the payments.
