File No. 2755/7–9.
After the new deputies, 21 in number, or half the total membership, had
taken the oath of office, the organization was effected and Juan B.
Quiros was chosen president of the Congress.
Mr. Quiros is about 56 years old, of considerable ability and long
legislative experience. He was educated in England, and seems to be well
fitted to carry out the Government’s legislative program.
On the opening day the President’s message was read and referred to the
proper committees. A résumé thereof is appended hereto, and three copies
of the original are being transmitted to you under separate cover.
I am, etc.
[Inclosure.]
Summary of the President’s Message to the
Congress of Costa Rica, May 1, 1908.
The President congratulates the country that there has been no
disturbance of the public order, but, on the contrary, a complete
satisfaction with existing conditions. He comments on the peaceful
elections of April, but proposes changes in the election laws so as
to shorten the duration of the campaign period.
Of the peace treaties, signed at Washington, and of the court of
justice therein named, he says:
“This tribunal, the first of the kind organized in the world, is
called to exercise a powerful and beneficent influence on the
tranquillity and cordial relations of the Central American States.
The unique establishment of such an international organization will
constitute for Central America a matter of legitimate pride; but
greater will be our glory if the court becomes in fact a sure means
of terminating peacefully whatever controversy may arise between two
or more of the nations engaged, and if, as is fervently to be
desired, we all regard with fidelity its sentences, not only by
reason of the respect which is due from us to the judgments of a
tribunal agreed upon and constituted by ourselves, but especially by
the natural desire and, it may be said, by the unutterable
satisfaction of showing to the world that the Republics of Central
America, held for many years and by many people as turbulent
countries lacking in judgment, can, when the case occurs, give also
an example of prudent and good government. I ought not to miss
taking advantage of this opportunity to signify once more to Their
Excellencies Presidents Roosevelt and Diaz the gratitude of the
Government and people of Costa Rica for the solicitous mediation
with which they have procured the guananty of peace in Central
America, and for the efficacious collaboration in preparing for
these Republics a new era of tranquillity and progress. Costa Rica
is ready for its part, and I fervently hope that on their part our
sister nations will soon be prepared to do everything possible, so
that the noble purpose of our new order of Central American policy
will not have vain results.”
The Executive then speaks of his conference on January 10, 1908, with
President Zelaya, of Nicaragua, and signifies his intention to send
to the Congress a treaty the terms of which were agreed upon at said
meeting.
He states that the value of exports has decreased somewhat, on
account of a shortage in the coffee crop, caused in part by
inopportune rains; that the deficiency, amounting to about one-half,
will be recompensed in part by the increase of prices and by the
prospect of an unusually large crop for the coming year; and that
this deficiency, united to the American financial crisis worked an
alarming effect on the money circulation that might have had
lamentable consequences.
He recommends internal improvements and the building of bridges and
roads as the best means to promote agriculture, notes the increase
in extent and importance of the production of cacao, and promises
later to submit a contract made with the Messrs. Peralta and Bryant
for the cultivation and treatment of fiber plant and the manufacture
of bags and cordage therefrom.
He is pleased to report that by a decision of the Holy See eight
feast days have been converted into days of labor, a result
containing much import for the welfare of the country, which 20
years of civil law could not bring about in the habits of the
faithful.
He says that public hygiene will continue to be the favorite theme
and the particular solicitude of the Government.
[Page 249]
The message contains the following financial statement:
finances.1
| Revenue: |
|
|
| Customs duties (increase 25
per cent) |
¢5,058,375.25 |
|
| Liquor receipts |
1,884,579.18 |
|
| Government railroad, mail, and
telegraph |
572,487.51 |
|
| Total (increase of
¢965,285) |
|
¢7,515,441.94 |
| All other sources |
401,033.03 |
|
| Disbursements: |
|
|
| Extension or Pacific
railroad |
556,741.45 |
|
| Construction of public
buildings |
458,275.22 |
|
| All other expenditures |
8,176,432.84 |
|
| Total (increase of
¢167,768) |
|
9,191,449.51 |
| Annual deficit |
|
1,676,007.57 |
To meet this deficit in part the internal debt was increased from
¢8,592,086.77 to ¢9,752,684.73.
As to the external debt, the Government has entered into direct
negotiations with counsel for the bondholders, and has a good
prospect of making satisfactory arrangements, and for that purpose
counts on the export tax on bananas, now under consideration, as
offering a solid basis on which to reassume the obligation of the
debt.
He recommends the requisition of telephone lines and the extension of
the Pacific Railroad for the short distance necessary to make a
continuous road from ocean to ocean, which project is favorably
reported on by the American engineer who was employed to investigate
the matter.
He pleads for the further development of the system of primary
education and for the permanency of tenure of school teachers
without reference to political afliliations.
His final word is for the revision of the penal code.
