The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-30
The Mexican Congress.

Mexico is nominally governed by a
congress, first called September II,
1913, which was probably seen as many
vicissitudes as any.assembly on earth has
ever seen in the same time. 1t has been
chased here and there, dissolved
expelled, recalled, and remodelled, until
it has finally settled down into an
established institution. 1t now consists of
Senate of aboutsixty members which
meets in a room in the National Palace.
and Chamber of Deputies of some
two hundred and twenty members,
which meets in the old Theatre of Itur-
bide, over half mile from the National
Palace. In appearance this Congress
could hardly be distinguished from that
of the United states. Fully nine-tenths
of its members are of pure white blood,
and the other tenth have no more color
than fashion demands of stylish
brunette. No traces of rusticity, coarse
ness, ignorance or stupidity are visible,
nor is there any sign of what is
generally known as Mexican costume.
Both bodies are composed of eminent
soldiers, scholars, lawyers and members
of other professions, with young men
whose talents have attracted notice; and
the members show degree of politeness
and dignity that would improve many
of our State Legislatures. Their con
versation in the lobbies and on the floor
shows an extraordinary degree of culture
and education, and both bodies are the
last to wish one would look for subser-
viency to the Executive.
Theoretically this Congress is elected
by the people. Practically it is elected
by the President. A note to the officer
in command of the military district, or
to the political chief-a civil officer
whose actual powers are co-extensive
with the requirements of an emer
gency-recommendin certain person
as suitable subject for Congressman,
rarely fails Should it fail, the error is
easily corrected in ths canvass, or still
more easily in the final returns In the
federal district-the city of Mexico and
its environs-the elective system is still
more charmingly 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.
A congress so elected can be nothing
but g ratifying committee. Especially
must 1T be so in country like Mexico,
with vast ignorant lower class taking
no interest in public affairs in time of
peace, with no middle class worthy of
mention, and with an upper class too
small to resist the army which must be
kept up to restrain the turbulent part of
the lower class. Under such circum-
stances it is quite useless for represen-
tative to be independent. The result
would be the loss of a good position,
with $3.50 month fon doing next to
nothing. And should he find himself, up
on some pretext, banished to Yucatan or
languishing in prison, his nominal con-
stituents are the last ones on earth to
whom he can look for redress.
The visitor in the galleries of the
Mexican Congress sees at once the effect
of this. Day after day the Houses meet,
and adjourn in few moments after
hearing the minutes of the last meeting
and a 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 it. Many do not
even hear their names called, and their
assent is assumed; Others give delicate
nod or little wave of their hand; while
others merely smile at the secretary, as
if consciou us of the absurdity of the cere-
mony. The Congressman cares no more
for the "dear people, than the dear
people care for him. Respect for them
can only get him into trouble, whereas
respect for the President will insure his
return. His constituents trouble him
with no letters, instructions, resolutions,
or petitions; and in return spares them
the infiction of public documents,
printed speeches, papers, and all other
evidence of his regard.-T. 5. Van
Dyke, in Harpe,'s Magazine for October.