y carried by the
official influence exercised by President Santa Maria. On assuming
office President Balmaceda endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation
of all sections of the Liberal party in congress and so form a solid
majority to support the administration, and to this end he nominated as
ministers representatives of the different political groups. Six months
later the cabinet was reorganized, and two most bitter opponents to the
recent election of President Balmaceda were accorded portfolios.
Believing that he had now secured the support of the majority in
congress on behalf of any measures he decided to put forward, the new
president initiated a policy of heavy expenditure on public works, the
building of schools, and the strengthening of the naval and military
forces of the republic. Contracts were given out to the value of
L6,000,000 for the construction of railways in the southern districts;
some 10,000,000 dollars were expended in the erection of schools and
colleges; three cruisers and two sea-going torpedo boats were added to
the squadron; the construction of the naval port at Talcahuano was
actively pushed forward; new armament was purchased for the infantry and
artillery branches of the army, and heavy guns were acquired for the
purpose of permanently and strongly fortifying the neighbourhoods of
Valparaiso, Talcahuano and Iquique. In itself this policy was not
unreasonable, and in many ways extremely beneficial for the country.
Unfortunately corruption crept into the expenditure of the large sums
necessary to carry out this programme. Contracts were given by favour
and not by merit, and the progress made in the construction of the new
public works was far from satisfactory. The opposition in congress to
President Balmaceda began to increase rapidly towards the close of 1887,
and further gained ground in 1888. In order to ensure a majority
favourable to his views, the president threw the whole weight of his
official influence into the elections for senators and deputies in 1888;
but many of the members returned to the chambers through this official
influence joined the opposition shortly after taking their seats. In
1889 congress became distinctly hostile to the administration of
President Balmaceda, and the political situation became grave, and at
times threatened to involve the country in civil war. According to usage
and custom in Chile, a ministry does not remain in office unless
supported by a majori