Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-09-22
THE PRESS GAG LAWN MEXICO

Of late years we have been looking
 upon Mexico as a coming country. The
 investment of American capital in rail
 roads and n Mines m Mexico
 and the encouragement offered
 by the states, furnished suffic-
 tent grounds for the hope that
 Mexico at last had started on long
 march of civilization. which in time
 would place her among the great ns-
 tons of the world. We still hope for
 gradual improvement in Mexico, but we
 can never look for such rapid changes
 as have taken place in Japan during
 the past few years. The Mexican peo-
 pie are too smart for that-or rather the
 leaders are. The governing class of
 Mexico are educated and intelligent.
 That country has produced some really
 great men during the past quarter of
 century, who have not only been able to
 realize the true condition of affairs in
 that country, but have looked long
 way into the future. Diaz, though an
 uSurper, did much to elevate and
 strengthen the government during his
 administration, and since. But his last
 act was backward, rather than forward,
 and, if adhered to, will soon place Mex leo where she was immediately
 after the the downfall of Max imilian. Ex-President Diaz, has been
 elevated to Chief Justice, a position that differs very much from that of Chief Justice of the United States; 1t confers
 powers in some respect similar tO that of Prime Minister Of England. It is a part of the duties of Chief Justice to draw bills to be passed upon by the con- g-ess, or ratified by the states. He has introduced what is known ID Mexico as She "Press Law" The immediate effect of this law Is to gag the press completely; to silence all newspaper opposition to the government, and having been rati-
 fed and approved by two-thirds of all the states of Meuco, it may be proclaim ed a national law at any time. It IS un-
 ortunate that a man who has done so much to elevate Mexico, should now commit such a serious blunder. Diaz is candidate for the third term" in
 Mexico. But when We think of the manner in which he secured his first election, or lease of office, which was the same as though General Sherman -hould now go down to Washington and say to President Arthur, lyon must vacate the presidential chair, I want 1t for myself; l have the army at my back to enforce my demand, and if you don't vacate, will force you at the point Of the bayonet," il is not to be wondered at that be vii! again fortify Himself against all possible contingencies which might be in his way in securing the chief office of the Mexican Republic. IL is not likely Diaz will enforce the "press gag law" unless it becomes necessary for his success. But if 1t should be- come necessary to silence all opposition to him by preventing an honest expres- siop of the will of the people, through the press, he will not hesitate to do il. This being the situation in MeIlco, it will be seen that there Is till plenty of room for radical reforms in that country. Even the governing classes, have not yet imbIbed the true principles of republic auism, and there Is no hope of elevating the common people, either by education or otherwise, up to that point where they will be able to act intelligently and take part in the affairs of State, for many years to come. The future of Mexico is by no means certain. So long as people are practically subject to the dictation CT will of a single individual, there is little hope of stable goEern- plHut