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 THE CIVIL WAR OF i8gi 337 voted temporary supplies. Argentina had just deposed a dictator ; perhaps that fact weighed somewhat with Baimaceda when he made this concession to congress. Congress and the new ministry now began to seek the removal of objectionable intendentes and other government officers, for the purpose of handicapping the president in the forthcoming elections, particularly if he were scheming for the return of San Fuentes. The president refused to remove anybody, save for an in- dictable and proven offence. It was an extraordinary session called by the presi- dent for the express purpose of passing an appropria- tion bill — the annual supply bill. He maintained that it had no constitutional authority to go outside and take up the matter of the removal of officers, and the consideration of Australian electoral ballot bills, and municipal bills, which were intended to carry the elec- tion against him. Congress would not vote the supply bill until the objectionable officers were removed. The president refused, the ministry again resigned. Bai- maceda appointed a new ministry in sympathy with his views and closed the session, October 17th, i8go. The constitutional committee now sought to exer- cise some of its senile advisory powers, and advised that another extraordinary session be called. The pres- ident and his ministers hesitated about taking the course suggested by the congressional constitutional committee. According to precedent they should have obeyed the behest; according to the constitution, they were not obliged to do so. While they were deliberating, the committee arro- gated to itself the responsibility of calling a session of its own. This congress when assembled could do no more than consider and denounce, and this it did in a lively manner. It became apparent that no supplies