The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-10

the command Of Captains CaIaghan and Henry, /.
was at first reported that their aid was solicited BY
Vdaurri in carrying out his political scheme Of the
Sierra Mndre republics but he indignantly denied IT,
and wrote to Alvarez 10 say that instead Of carrying
out his hostile des gins against Haro Tamariz be
would march against and chastise The American in
yaders.
In the meantime, q convocation Of the revolution
airy chiefs was convened at Cuernayacl for the pur-
pose Of electing ad iaterim Presidsn. The cleo
ton took place on the 4th of October. The prin-
cipal candidates were General Alvarez, General
Comonfort, General Ocampo and General viduarri.
II was reported that, previous to the election there
had been a sort Of caucus held, ut which it was
agreed that IL the choice fell upon Comonfot, and
If the army should be satisfied with him, be would
be recognized; but otherwise, OF in case any other
person were chosen, they would repudiate all that
was done, appoint Hare y Tamariz first chief, and
de Ia Vega Generalissinre, and with their cOnoinea
forces impose the law upon the nation.
At this election all the departments and terri
tories were represented with the exception Of So
nora and C0loma. Vidaurri resolved one vote, Co
monfort three votes, Ocamp0 three votes, and Ava
rz sixteen votes. The latter was, therefore, lie
clared Presden. ad interim Of the Mexican republic
HIS Cabinet was composed Of Melchor Ocampo
Minister Of Foreign Affairs; Benito Juarez, of JUS
tice; Ignatis Comonfort, Of War; and Guillermo
Pricto, Of Finance.
ALVAREZ ABDICATES-COMONFORT IS ELECTED
But the Panther of the South " cid not long re-
tain the reins Of government in his hands. He
found himself less fitted for controlling the affairs
of nation than he was for leading on his wild and
warike Pintos against the troops Of Santa Anna.
The air Of Mexico would not agree with the old pa
triarch, and 80 he held his court in Cuernavaca
But there the of State pressed too heavily
on him, and he sighed for the air Of his native
mountains Accordingly he signided his intention
to resign the Presidency, and General Comoniort
was selected as his successor President Cebaos
being one Of his rival candidates.
ComoRfort is-as Alvarez and Carrera were
merely an ad interim President, or, as he is
styled, the President Substitute. national Con-
gress has been in session ever since he came into
power forming a constitution for the country the
design being, when that constitution will have been
proclaimed to proceed to elect President in accord
ance with it's provisions. Whether the present gov
eminent will exist SO long as to admit Of this pro
ceedDg is quite doubtful.
CHURCH PROPERTY LAW.
Inc piluClpdl ltdtuc Vi SoHOulort gONeTuNieut
has been the passage and partial execution of law
depivipg religious communities Of the fee simple
which they have had for time immemorial in some
thing about onethird OF the real estate Of the coun
try. The alleged motive for the passage Of this
law-known as the law Lerdo, from the name of the
minister who formulated twas that, as most OF
the church property situated in cities and towns
tn possession Of this fec simple acted as proven
tive TO improyem ent and progress. The church re-
ceiyed the rents, but did not 10 make improve
mcIis. In the City of Mexico alone. OF the five
thousand houses valued, with the temples and public
edices at $50 goo 900, more than onehalf IS owned
by lbe church. Mr. Lerdo de Tejada, in a very able
statistical work recently published, showed that
the annual revenue of the Mexican church, from
dues, fees, aims, masses &c.. is from six to eight
millions: and that The property of the church IN
real estate is from $50 TO 500 millions The aim Of
The law was 10 desamortize this immense property
that is, 10 diyest the church Of the fee simple and
invest the title in the tenant. By the act Of 25th o.
June last all tenants OF church and civil corporations
have the RICH: to become the owners of the property
they hold hy having an adjudication made in their
favor and paying capitalization OF their rent at
the rate Of six per cent. Thus, tenant payirg
slG0 year has the right OF retaining the property
at 81 6GG, that being the capital which the 500 i'll
teiest reprtsenis. As most Of the church property
Is rented al very low rate this laws Is quite boon
,or the tenants, because in thirteen years, paying
the regular rent TO the church. the property vests
in thens selves. This was real revolution, initiated
by Conc Mort. He had 20 meet the whole power OF
the church and TO place the church aud govern
ment in antagonism. He knew all the risk which
be Incurred, but did not shrink from facing II.
Archbisbors aud bishops proved contumacious,
and published psstorais and sermons against
the new law; but whenever they became
dangerous Comoniort shipped them on from
the country. As the law affects only wealthy mr.
nastic institutions, and not the real working
clergy, the latter, who were always jealous Of the
wealth Of these religious droncs, not only did no,
use their influence agains, the law, but oounscllcd
their parshoncrs TO take advantage Of It. and even
in some instances were purchasers themselves under
1t. For this, however, they incurred degradation
and suspension from their Office. still the oppos-
ton Of the church is uDavailing. The titles 70 pro
peity worth fifteen or twenty millions Of dollar.
have already been sold. The government oaly DE-
lives Eve per cent from these sales. In this Co
monfoft was by tar too modest. Had he con
hscsted and appropriated to the usc Of the gov
erDmcnt the entire property OF tue church, h.
would have done far better. He could with
the proceeds have paid of the national debt AM
organized the government q firm and en-.
during basis. As it is, the revenue derived
from this law OF decentralization is only
drop in the ocean. Still, its effect on the
people csnnot fail to be highly beneficial
Tor not only are the obstacles to physical improve
ment thereby removed, but the greater obstacles 10
the mental and social amelioration OF the Mexcsn
ptople--foui ded in blind and bigoted obedience hi
theiio given TO the cIergy-are also broken down.
REVOLUTION AGAINST coxosFoRr.
But this social revolution is not the only nov
men, that has engaged the attention OF the govern
ment of Comonfort- II has also had to contend with
several political revolutions-some springng out Of
this law and nstiguted by the clergy, and Others
with the manifestation Of tia. chronic disease OF am