Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-07-14
DLA. REELECTED
The Formal Casting of the Ballot by the
 Electors

CITY OF MEXICO, July S.-To-day states met and formally cast the bal lots that make Porfirio Diaz for a third time President of the Republic of Mex ico. Diaz is recognized as by far the ablest man in Mexico, and Is the only president who has ever given the un- happy country a rule under which life and property of citizens and foreigners has been esteemed absolutely safe. Porfirio Diaz was born 58 years ago, entering the army at the age of IT, but he resigned his commission five years later through disgust with the government. He then began the practice of the law. When the rebel lion of 1855 broke out he joined the army again, and rose gradually till, in 1863, he became cOmmander-in-chief under Juarez. Throughout the whole of the wretched war against Maximilian and the French he bore his full share of responsibility and defeat, and final ly when the foreigner was expelled, he refused all honors and rank, and withdrew modestly to his farm. In 1867 he ran against JuareZ for Presi- dent and was defeated; in 1871 he ran a second time with like fate. It was not till 1876 that he made a combin- ation which was irresistible, ,and became President of Mexico This combin- ation was with Gonzalez, whose daughter he married Juarez out of the way, Gonzalez and Diaz were more powerful than any combination which could be made against them. They agreed that they should alternate and succeed each other as President. Ac- cordingly, in 1876, Diaz assumed the superior power. In July 1880, Man uel Gonzalez was elected, and took of i flee on December 1st of that year. In July, 1884, Diaz was elected, and took office in the December of that year. But an unexpected turn in the wheel of fortune prevented the further work | ing of the alternate plan. Gonzalez. on going out, footed the Mexican treas ury. When his son-in-law came in there was no money in the public cOffers, the interest on the State bonds and subsidies promised to railroads and works of public improvement were un- paid; there was actually no coin on hand to pay the army or the members of the civil service. This state of i things became known, and forever ren- ders GOnzal6z' reelection impossible Diaz went to work manfully to restore order to the finances. With the help of Congress he reduced all salaries 5O per cent, beginning with his own he introduced vigor into the collection oi revenues; he punished defaulters with exemplary severity; and in little while he had so restored public credit that he was able to effect temporary loans to tide him over till the ordinary revenue balanced the ordinary expend iture. This remarkable achievement coupled with the pursuance of a judic ious foreign policy and vigorous ad i niinissration of home affairs, pointed him out to the Mexicans as the one fit man for the Chief Magistracy The constitution rendered President in- eligible for reelection. The Mexicans trembling at the prospect of renew al of disorder under an unknown Pres ident, set to work to change the con stltutiOn. A constitutional amend ment was passed by Congress and of fered to the states, repeating thai clause of the constitution. It was rat flied without much difficulty, and ac cordingly, Diaz was reelected withou opposition.