Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-23
capitalists and twenty-five retired officers
of the army.
The Opening Ceremonies.

capitalists and twenty-five retired officers
of the army.
The Opening Ceremonies.
There was no procrastination, no
"manana' business about the opening of
congress; for. as the clock in thu neigh
boring church-tower sounded the last
stroke Of six, Mr. Rosendo Pineda, presi-
dent OF the chamber. jingled little silver
tea bell, such as you might expect to find
in the recitation room Of q convent school.
and the deputies came to order The clerk
called the roll, but his voice was drowned
by approaching music, and just as he pro-
nounced the last name, and Mr. Pineda
had declared the chamber III session. the
swarthy face and sturdy figure of Presi-
dent Diaz appeared at the main entrance,
net; and. with the stride Of one who feels
that he has right to be there, he as
cended the stage, shook hands with the
presiding officer and bowed gracefully in
which he was greeted. He also was in full
evening costume, with broad sash of
ribbon. the Mexican tricolcr. red, white
and green, half hiding his shirt front
Minister Mariscal of the foreign office
carried a large white envelope, which he
laid upon the table in front of the presi6-
Ing officer Without further ceremony
Chairman Pineda introduced the execu-
tive, and without rising from the golden
chair. President Diaz read his message in
a business-like way. There was no at
9mDha-
sized certain passages by raising his voice
and speaking distinctly. noticed that
the message was addressed to "Senores
Deputados y Senores Senatores," whereas
verses this order and begins his messages
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of
Representatives" General Diaz places the
people ahead of the state.
AS soon as he had finished reading and
1t took him about three-quarters of an
hour to complete the manuscript-he
bowed first to one SIDE then to the other
side of the chamber, shook hands with
the presiding officer. grabbed his hat and
walked briskly across the floor Of the
chamber to the main entrance while the
band stationed in the vestibule played the
national air. His carriage-an ordinary
brougham, drawn by a pair of fine hack
neys which somebody told me had been
presented to him by ex-senator Don Cam
eron OF Pennsylvanfa--was standing in
front of the entrance. He entered it
quickly; the footman, who was clad in
ordinary English livery, closed the door
and sprang upon the box; there was
hoarse word of command from the officer
of the military escort. a rafting of sa-
bres and carbines, a chatter of steeI-clad
hoofs upon the pavement, and rush into
the darkness.
The Presidents Message.
The message like the man, is a plain.
business affair. He devotes more attention
to education and the public health than to
any other subject He alludes briefly to
the approaching International conference
and the foreign relations of Mexico, and
then devotes a couple OF pages to finance.
He tells us of the increase in the schools
and liberal appropriations are asked for
their support. He aliudes particularly to
several practical educational projects which
have been recently adopted and recon-
mendS generous provisions to maintain
them Among them Is school of COM
merce and diplomacy for the preparation
OF young men who desire to enter the
diplomatic or consular service of the gov
eminent He asks additional funds for
the extension of the work of the archaeo-
logical bureau and recommends an appro-
priation OF 100000 for a new building for
the law school OF the federal District He
recommends new courses of artistic deco
ration applied TO buildings. furniture and
ceramics" IN the national schools of arts
and trades. He asks funds to establish
course of lectures for the children in the
public schools concerning the choice OF a
trade or occupation; also for prizes to be
awarded TO the authors of the best COM
edies and dramas and the best biography
of the late President Juarez. and to pay
the expenses of two members of the fac
uity Of the National Normal School during
visit of inspection for one year among
the normal schools OF the United States.
There Was not an unnecessary word In
the message: it was remarkably free from
the effusiveness that is usually cultivated
by Spanish speaking people. There was no
"fiapdoodle, no .'buncosnbe" no attsrnpt
at literary display. and from the beginning
TO the end OF the message have not been
able to find supsrlatiye. II reads more
like the report Of the manager OF some cor
poration to his board OF directors His
treatment Of the public health situation Is
frank and fearless. There has been IA
epidemic OF typhus fever In Mexico an
winter and certain officials of tho govern
ment and business interests have thought
II Advisable 70 keep the facts az secret a.
possible Evidently President Diaz thinks
differently. for he discusses the subject ia
detail. He gives the facts and describes
what has been done to suppress tho
plague. He advises Congress that q large
sum of money from the public treasury has
been expended for sanitary purposes with
out authority He asks that the action OF
the executive department IN this respect
be confirmed and q liberal appropriation
be made to cover what has already been
unlawfuily expended and to carry out the
plans Of the sanitary Department.