Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-11-07
AIEXICO'S CONGRESS.
A Body Possessing Great Nominal Power
But Little Real Authority.
Harpers Magazine.


But Little Real Authority.
Harper's Magazine.
Mexico is nominally governed by q
congress, first called September IA, 1918,
which has probably seen as many vlcis-
STUDIES as any assembly on earth has
ever seen in the same time. It has
been chased here and there, dissolved,
expelled, recalled and remodeled, until
it has finally settled down to an estab-
lished institution. It now consists of q
senate of about sixty members, which
meets in room in the national palace,
and chamber of deputies of some 220
members, which meets in the old theater
of Iturbide, over half mile from the
national palace. In appearance this
| congress could hardly be distinguished
from that of the United States. Fully
white blood, and the others have no
more color than fashion demands Of q
stylish brunette. No traces of rusticity,
coarseness, Ignorance, or stupidity are
visible, nor is there any sign of what is
generally known as Mexican costumes.
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 i'm
prove 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 to which one would look for
subserviency 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 any emergency-recom-
mending certain person as suitable
subject for congressman, rarely fails.
Should it 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-
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 ratifying committee. Especially
must it be go in q 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 repre-
sentative to be independent. The result
would be the loss of good position. $3.50
q month for doing next to nothing. And
should he find himself, upon some pre-
text baniahed to Yucatan or languish in
prison, his nominal constituents 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 hear
ing the minutes of the last meeting and
formal communication or two from
some state legislature or officer. Oc-
casionally bill Is passed. But it goes
Is matter Of course, the members tax
ing 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 the hand; while others
merely smile at thesecretary. The con.
gresham cares no more for tie "dear
people" than the people care for him.
Respect fer them can only get him into
trouble whereas, respect for the presi-
dent will insure his return. His consti-
tuents troubles him with no letters, in
structeons, resolutions, or petitions; and
he in return spares them the infection
of public documents, printed speeches,
papers and all other evidences of his re-
gard.
MANY strange religions are being in
troduced into California, among them
Hindoo, Theosophy and Chinese Con-