NapoleonCorinII
The Duke of St. Paul
- Location
- St. Paul, MN
Colombian Constitutional Convention of 1927
The Palacio de Narino, the home of the president. It was the site in which the discussion, voting, and signing for/of the 1927 constitution took place.
Many throughout Colombia rejoiced at the prospect of a new constitution. The Revolutionaries called for an end to the liberal/conservative rivalry and hoped the creation of a new constitution would do this. These hopes were perhaps too exuberant, (the idea that Colombia's two parties would ever really get along, let alone forgive each other was a long stretch) but the Constitution did make major headway in ending the strong factionalism within Colombia.
The Convention began with 27 Liberals and 28 Conservatives coming into the convention. The majority Conservatives angered many liberals, causing the elderly Carlos Restrepo to make the announcement he would not vote on any legislation. The Liberals and Conservatives than made an agreement to elect a "head of the Party" which would be given Veto Power. This is when one of the first problems arose. While the conservatives had been fairly united, being the party of the opposition for as long as anyone could remember, they had an easy time electing their Head (Miguel Abadía Méndez). The Liberals meanwhile, were a party in the middle of a major shift. The Liberals had long stood for federationalism and secularism. This old faction, led by Benjamin Herrera, came at odds with a new faction, based more on giving more power to the working class and fighting off Colombia's Dependence on Venezuela. This new faction was led by Jorge Gaitán, and many members of this new wing of the party had in fact supported the Revolutionaries, including General Enrique Herrera. The two factions of the liberals would battle it out throughout fifteen ballots. Conservative Politician Francisco José Urrutia Olano Joked "I don't know if they are being rude or just weak." Finally, a middle ground was met with the election of Alejandro Galvis Galvis as head, a member of the New Faction.
Once finished, it was off to work. The Conservatives wished for a constitution recognizing the Catholic Church as the official religion of Colombia, Limited voting rights, and a Unitarian Government. Most Liberals wanted a secular federative government, with The new faction wanting full voting rights and the old wanting some restrictions. Both sides wanted an end to the conflicts which existed for so long. The liberal proposed a government plan which would give a large portion of power to the Congress, but still, give lots power to the states. The conservatives wanted more power to the federal government, especially the president, which under the plan would be nothing more than an honorary title. After much debate, it was decided an Americanized system would take place. The states governments would be able to pass regional laws, but the national Domestic Policies and Budget would be decided by the Congress. And the President would have veto power over these domestic policies and be in charge of Foreign Policy.
The Nations congress was also reformed. 91 constituencies, between 7 or 9 per states with one for the territory of Caquetá, would elect 1 Senator every 4 years. The Constituencies would then elect between 1 and 3 assemblymen to the National Assembly ( The new name for the House of Representatives) depending on population. Other than being the areas where senators and Assemblymen were voted into office, the constituencies had no real power, local government was still controlled by the 13 states.* Presidential elections Also depended on States. Each state had 2 presidential Votes. During an election, whoever won a majority of the vote was given both Presidential Votes. If no candidate won a majority, the votes would be split in half between the two largest parties. If a Tie occurred between two presidential Candidates, the Senate would vote for the president themselves. The House of Representatives would then be responsible to elect a Vice President, who would work with the president to make sure both Liberals and Conservatives were heard in Politics. If the President should die, he would be succeeded by his highest Ministerial rank (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Fighting was not done, the complicated issue of Catholicism's place in Colombia would take days until the Galvis Agreement was created. The Galvis Agreement would make Catholicism the official religion of Colombia, but in return, the Colombians must agree to make Universal suffrage a part of the constitution. The Liberals and Conservatives also agreed to Freedom of Press, Speech, and Privacy. Another argument erupted over the situation of Freedom of Arms, but it was eventually passed, to the surprise of many.
The constitution of 1927 was done, the first elections would take place the following year. The Convention agreed to create a temporary government led by Pedro Nel Ospina. The Liberals and Conservatives, while both mildly angry on some of the parts of the constitution, felt satisfied. The people of Colombia accepted the New Constitution with Open Arms. Everyone was optimistic about the future of the nation, and everyone was sure that the future would be paved with good fortune for all Colombians. Only time would tell if they were correct or misled.
*Out of the pacific Coastline of Caqueta was divided into two states, Choco and Narino.
Note: The Republic of Colombias name has become the Federative Republic of Colombia.
The Palacio de Narino, the home of the president. It was the site in which the discussion, voting, and signing for/of the 1927 constitution took place.
Many throughout Colombia rejoiced at the prospect of a new constitution. The Revolutionaries called for an end to the liberal/conservative rivalry and hoped the creation of a new constitution would do this. These hopes were perhaps too exuberant, (the idea that Colombia's two parties would ever really get along, let alone forgive each other was a long stretch) but the Constitution did make major headway in ending the strong factionalism within Colombia.
The Convention began with 27 Liberals and 28 Conservatives coming into the convention. The majority Conservatives angered many liberals, causing the elderly Carlos Restrepo to make the announcement he would not vote on any legislation. The Liberals and Conservatives than made an agreement to elect a "head of the Party" which would be given Veto Power. This is when one of the first problems arose. While the conservatives had been fairly united, being the party of the opposition for as long as anyone could remember, they had an easy time electing their Head (Miguel Abadía Méndez). The Liberals meanwhile, were a party in the middle of a major shift. The Liberals had long stood for federationalism and secularism. This old faction, led by Benjamin Herrera, came at odds with a new faction, based more on giving more power to the working class and fighting off Colombia's Dependence on Venezuela. This new faction was led by Jorge Gaitán, and many members of this new wing of the party had in fact supported the Revolutionaries, including General Enrique Herrera. The two factions of the liberals would battle it out throughout fifteen ballots. Conservative Politician Francisco José Urrutia Olano Joked "I don't know if they are being rude or just weak." Finally, a middle ground was met with the election of Alejandro Galvis Galvis as head, a member of the New Faction.
Once finished, it was off to work. The Conservatives wished for a constitution recognizing the Catholic Church as the official religion of Colombia, Limited voting rights, and a Unitarian Government. Most Liberals wanted a secular federative government, with The new faction wanting full voting rights and the old wanting some restrictions. Both sides wanted an end to the conflicts which existed for so long. The liberal proposed a government plan which would give a large portion of power to the Congress, but still, give lots power to the states. The conservatives wanted more power to the federal government, especially the president, which under the plan would be nothing more than an honorary title. After much debate, it was decided an Americanized system would take place. The states governments would be able to pass regional laws, but the national Domestic Policies and Budget would be decided by the Congress. And the President would have veto power over these domestic policies and be in charge of Foreign Policy.
The Nations congress was also reformed. 91 constituencies, between 7 or 9 per states with one for the territory of Caquetá, would elect 1 Senator every 4 years. The Constituencies would then elect between 1 and 3 assemblymen to the National Assembly ( The new name for the House of Representatives) depending on population. Other than being the areas where senators and Assemblymen were voted into office, the constituencies had no real power, local government was still controlled by the 13 states.* Presidential elections Also depended on States. Each state had 2 presidential Votes. During an election, whoever won a majority of the vote was given both Presidential Votes. If no candidate won a majority, the votes would be split in half between the two largest parties. If a Tie occurred between two presidential Candidates, the Senate would vote for the president themselves. The House of Representatives would then be responsible to elect a Vice President, who would work with the president to make sure both Liberals and Conservatives were heard in Politics. If the President should die, he would be succeeded by his highest Ministerial rank (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Fighting was not done, the complicated issue of Catholicism's place in Colombia would take days until the Galvis Agreement was created. The Galvis Agreement would make Catholicism the official religion of Colombia, but in return, the Colombians must agree to make Universal suffrage a part of the constitution. The Liberals and Conservatives also agreed to Freedom of Press, Speech, and Privacy. Another argument erupted over the situation of Freedom of Arms, but it was eventually passed, to the surprise of many.
The constitution of 1927 was done, the first elections would take place the following year. The Convention agreed to create a temporary government led by Pedro Nel Ospina. The Liberals and Conservatives, while both mildly angry on some of the parts of the constitution, felt satisfied. The people of Colombia accepted the New Constitution with Open Arms. Everyone was optimistic about the future of the nation, and everyone was sure that the future would be paved with good fortune for all Colombians. Only time would tell if they were correct or misled.
*Out of the pacific Coastline of Caqueta was divided into two states, Choco and Narino.
Note: The Republic of Colombias name has become the Federative Republic of Colombia.
