The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-15
MEXICAN POLITICS.
A So-UsIIed Republic in Which the People
Have Little Voice in Government Affairs

Correspondence OF the indianapolis Journal.
DURANGO. Mexico. April Sit is great mis-
take to suppose that the activity of the Ameri-
can people in political affairs 10 detrimental to
the interest of the government or to the welfare
OF the masses. In every community where
every voter Is convinced of the value of his
vote. and every citizen fesls it duty to cast
his ballot. 1t will almost invariably be found
that healthy state of affairs exists. both poiiti
cally and morally. The great political danger.
at all times and in all places. is that large mil
nority of the voters, and generally those OF the
better class. become Indifferent and neglactful
of their rights and duties as citizens, and thus
make it possible for INSCRIPTIONS political
''bosses" to manipulate the primaries and con-
troll the ballot boxes to forward their personal
schemes
Outside OF the newer Territories and some of
the border communities. which afford asylums
for fugitives from Justice. there Is scarcely To-
cality in the United States where by concen-
trated effort. the better element of society can
not defeat the opponents of law and order in
fair contest at the polls.
An active participation in political affairs and
especially the general use of the ballot by the
people. form the best security for the prosperity
of republic, and IN these respects the United
States makes far better showing than that of
any other nation claiming to have that form OF
government
In looking over the results of an election for
President of the Republic of Chilli it was mat
ter of surprise TO norIce that in population of
were cast for all the candidates for that impor
tant Office. Pursuing the subjeef OF election
number Of votes cast At presidential election in
Mexico. the Chllians had shown themselves to
be able politicians. and Ind brought ont the
vote" with commemorate zeal In Chill the
alaetiVA franchise nnch Restricted.
First stringent property quali6catioS disfran-
ehises large number. The ability to read and
suffrage, and these requirements largely
reduce the number of qualified vot
ers. while unmarried men are in no
case permitted TO vote until they are twenty Ave
years old. This latter restriction might lead
one to conclude that the Influence of woman has
been effective in the Legislature of Chilli. even
IL the sex IS not directly represented in that
body. Yet. with all these limitations. nearly
fifty thousand votes were cast by population
Of something near three millions.
In Mexico. which claims to have q republican
form of government, three-fourths of the popu-
lation are mot able to read. and Totally with
out political knowledge Even If Che public
press had circulation Ia any large extent, the
people. because OF their iil:teracy. could not at
the present time be rsachsd by il and thereby
Informed upon such affairs Of govern
ment as might affect their business
domestic interests Legislation. therefore. has
heretofore been practically unrestrained By pub
lie sentiment. and the good of the masses bnt
ligntiy regarded IN the enactment OF laws. UP
to a very recent time DoLtical conventions and
the public discussion of the political questions
of the day were practically unknown, and would
at once have been suppressed IL the policy and
conduct OF these in Office had been brought MP
for criticism. The peonle generally being IN able
TO read. snd as the authorities failed to furnish
Information in other ways. they ware without
knowledge to the DAYS fixed for the election
OF officers the merits OF the candidates and
the elections were readily and quite regularly
manipulated by the officials. both civil and mill
tarv to meet the wishes of those already in con-
troll
Peaceful general elections were for many
years a rare thing in MEXICO. and their occur
renee in recent years has occassioned comment
not only in the papers here but in those of other
countries we'll As fAs. however. "a the con-
dison Of the people is concerned, it - question