Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-10-09
tn Q Mexican Congress.

Mexico Is nominally governed by q Con.
gress, first called September II, 1918, which
has probably seen az many vicissitudes as any
assembly on earth has ever seen in the same
time. II has been chased here and there,
dissolved, expelled, recalled, and remodelled,
until it has finally settled down into an es-
tablished institution. II now consists Of q
Senate of about sixty members, which meets
in q room in the National Palace, and Cham
Der OF Deputies Of some two hundred and
twenty members, which meets In the old
Theatre Of Iturbide, over half o mile from
the National Palace. In appearance this
Congress could hardly be distinguished from
that OF the United States. Fully niue -tenths
OF its members arc Of pure white blood, and
the other tenth have no more color than
fashion demands Of o stylish brunette. No
traces of rusticity, coarseness, ignorance, or
stupidity are visible, nor Is there any sign Of
what is generally known As Mexican costume.
Both bodies are composed Of eminent sol
diers, scholars, lawyers, and members Of 9TH
or professions with young men whose talents
have attracted notice and the members show
degree of polteness and dignity that would
improve many Of our State Legislatures.
Their conversation In the lobbies and on the
floor shows an extraordinary degree Of culture
and education, and both bodies are the last 10
which one would look for subserVienoy 10 the
Executive.
Theoretically this Congress is elected by
the people. Practically 1t Is elected by the
President. A note 10 the officer In command
of the military district, or 10 the political
chief-a civil officer whose actual powers are
co-extensive with the requirements Of any
emergency-recommen q certain person
as a suitable subject for Congressman, rare
ly fails. Should II fail, the error Is easily
corrected in the canvass, or still more easily
in the final returns. In the federal district
the city of Mexico and its environs-the cleo
tive system is still more obarmingly simple.
Should there be two candidates, which is
rarely the case, the defeated candidate Is the
last one on earth to complain or contest the
seat.
congress so elected can be nothing but
ratifying committee. Especially must It be
so In a country like Mexico with vast igno-
rant lower class taking no interest In public
affairs in time of peace, with no middle class
worthy OF mention, and with an upper GLASS
too small 10 resist the army, which must be
kept up to restrain the turbulent part Of the
lower class. Under such circumstances II is
quite useless for q representative 10 be indie
pendent. The result would be the loss of a
good position, with $3.50 month for doing
next 10 nothing. And should he And him
self, upon some pretext, banished to Yuoatan
or languishing in prison, his nominal constit-
uents are the last ones on earth 10 whom he
can look for redress.
The visitor in the galleries OF the Mexican
Congress sees AZ once the effect Of this. Day
after day the Houses meet, and adjourn in a
few moments after hearing the minutes Of
the last meeting and formal communication
or two from some state legislature or officer.
Occasionally bill Is passed. But It goes as
a matter of course, the members taking no
interest in II. Many do not even hear their
names called, and their assent Is assumed !;
others give a delicate nod or little wave OF
the hand while others merely smile at the
secretary, as II conscious of the Rbsurdity of
the ceremony. The Congressman cares no
more for the dear people" than tho people
care for him. Respect for them can only get
him into trouble, whereas respect for the
President will insure his return. His constit-
uents trouble him with no letters, instruo-
tions, resolutions, or petitions; and he in
return spares them the inhiction of public
documents, printed speeches, papers, and all
other evidences OF his regard. .-Hdrper's
Mdgdzine for October.