Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1901 — Grouble With Venezuela. [ARTICLE]

Grouble With Venezuela.

Venezuela has been independent for eighty years. During that period it has nominally been a republic. The different constitutions it has had have recognized the principles of free, democratic government as completely as does that of the United States, which was taken as a model. Nevertheless, Venezuela is not yet a genuine republic. It has not yet free institutions, except on paper. It is not ruled by laws, but by a despot. While the account of the existing condition of affairs in Venezuela printed in the New York Tribune last week may not be correct in all its details, it is correct as to the main points. Eighteen months ago Cipriano Castro headed a revolutionary movement, drove out President Andrade, and installed himself as dictator. There is a congress, but it is made up of men chosen by the dictator. There are judges, but if their decisions do not suit him, he throws them into prison and keeps them there until they admit they were quite mistaken as to the law. All officials hold their places only so long M the dictator does not distrust them. Those whom he suspects he removes, and flbmetimes imprisons. During his flr*t month of power the dictator had a number of wealthy bankers and merchants brought before him and assessed them from $20,000 to $60,000 apiece for the support of his government