Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30
PRESIDENT DIAZ VI AGAIN.
Has Been President of Mexico for Five
Terms and Wants Vet Another.

~
Terms and Wants Vet Another.
The news the General Porfirio Diaz
has again been nominated as a cIndi-
date for the office of pres:Glnt Of IL
Republic of Mexico contains sufficient
assurance that this remarkable politi-
CAN will be successful in gaining a
fifth successive term of the presidency
and that, barring accidents, he will
cold the C-~ce until the end of the nine
tenth century. In reality he will be
elected This year for his sixth term. as
he had held the Office for a term prior
to the election OF President Gonzales in
the year 1880. In November next he
will close the twentieth year of his SER
vice as president of Mexico; and, il he
shall outliye the ensuing term, he will
dave record of tWenty-four years Ill
the office
President DIaz has a record without
a parallel in Mexico OF in any of the
ether republics of Spanish America.
Previous to his time there had been an
irregular line of incompetent rulers
there had been ten or twelve ~prOvIs-
ional' presidents, three or four presi-
dents lin charge a substitute" prysi.
dent and several dictators All of Them
held power by most uncertain tenure;
the greater part of them lo St their place
by revolution. There was not in the
world a more unstable government than
that of Mexico.
President Diaz is sc years CT age and
is half-breel /. By his mother he is a
descendant from the Indian race of
Mexico, and by his father from the
Spanish race. In his infancy his father
died, and was trained for life in
Oaxaca by his Indian neither, VINO iiYCu
in poverty. In his youth, after a period
OF clerkship and service in an inn, he
studied for the priesthood Of the Roman
Catholic church, but, after a time, gave
NJ the purpose Of entering upon an &c
clesiastical career; he began the study
of law; he took part in politics; he was
a member of the Legislature of his state,
he was a soldier on the liberal side in
times of strife; he was a general in the
war against the empire which Fiance
had set up in Mexico; and it was III this
war tho he won the renown which
caused MIN to be chosen as provisional
PRESIDENT in the year 1876 and as con-
president the next year.
Stree that time he has held the Office of
chief executive, except during the four
years in which it was held by Manuel
The course of Mexican history has
been changed under Diazs administra-
ton. Revolutions and civil wars have
beer. brought to an cad; the o!d-time
tyranny has passed away; the possessor
nj the office of president has lived in
safety the stability of the government
ras been secured.
With abiding peace the country mas
a degree OF prosperity unex-
ampled in its history. 1t was III most
satisfactory manner that President
DiaZ. in his last message tC The Mexican
reviewed the state of the coun-
try lie told of the advancement OF
the growth of the industries
and of commerce, the construction of
great public works, the betterment Of
the government finances, the opening
up OF new and useful branches of ac-
tiVity, the Improvement CT trade and
the itssening of taxation. 1--WE are
justified" he said, 'Ein expecting such
all increase of the normal sources of
revenue as will amply suffice for all
budget requirements The presidents
messages to his congress within recent
years have been of kind never known
in Mexico before his assumption of Of
fce never known between the time in
which Mexico won her independence
from Spain and that in which she chose
a president who was able to garner the
fl uits of independence and liberty.
1t is under these circumstances that
Diaz becomes a candidate for election
to a fifth successive term of the office
of president. 1t is to a country which
fully appreciates the results of his long
period of administration that he appeals
for reelection Not only IS it inipos
sible to name any other candidate who
has a record like his, but it would be
to forecast the consequences
of tie election Of any other. 1t is true
that he must some time cease to be
president, but it is hoped that ere death
overtakes him Mexico will be we'll as
sured of the continuance Of the politi-
cal system which he has done so much
to establish.
President Diaz is something more
than a successful politician He DOS
s, sses the qualities of craftsmanship.
He understands the needs of his coun-
try and also the method OF supplying
them through the legislation of con-
gress in which he is influential and
which regards his judgment. His skill
as diplomatist has been made mani
fest by his several negotiations with
European powers, by his mastery OF
the troublesome case of Guatemala and
ty his desirable cooperation with the
United States in the settlement Of the
boundary question. His friendliness
toward this country and his constant
desire for the maintenance of peace
with it have been as important ID the
American people as to those Of Mexico.
The method of eleeting president
in Mexico is the same as it is in the
United States; that is to say, by electors
rrpularly chosen in a general election.
Diaz's present term comes to an end
Nov. 81 next.
QUEER IDEA OF FAMILY HONOR.