Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-04-05
Mexico City. March II.

national capitol building. However,
tbere is a vast difference In the looks
nj the buiIdings-the one at Washing
ton being one to win admiration
while the Mexican building is any
thing but attractive, especially from
the outside IL is tne largest build |
Ing In Mexico. accupying q space Oh
about four blocks and varies In
beigntb. as stated in previous letters,
from two to three stories. 1t was be-
gun In 1892 and enlarged upon sew
eral times. There are dozen pa
fios within the walls Of the building,
and around these are arranged the
Offices of the government, President
piaz occupies quarters In the south
west portion. and visitors are only
permitted Sunday between $3.50 and
IL o'clock. and then 1t is necessary
TO secure pass from the American
consul, who Ia allowed to issue 2b
passes weekly, with as many as ten
people on one ticket When this sup
ply is exhausted the jig is up except
In rare instances. 1t WAS our PRIV
ilege to secure one OF the passes,
which enabled us to include party
Of Illinois tourists. Repairing to the
palace about 10 o'clock an usher took
us In charge and escorted the party
through the various presidential
rooms and the visit proved one OF
the most interesting events since en-
tering the Republic.
The president of the Mexican Re
public is certainly provided with
handsomely furnished quarters for
himself and advisors. First we were
shown room after room furnished in
Oriental luxury, whore were displayed
paintings of the different presidents
and personages prominent In the ear
ly history of the Republic. In the
building the president has private
quarters where he may sleep and eat.
large kitchen being provided with
modern ranges and cooking utensils
Then, off the sleeping room Is mar
Bile room with bath and barber chair.
Leaving these apartments we were
ushered into the private or small din
Ing room where the president enter
tains small parties. In an adjoining
room, through plate glass was dis
played the handsome silver service
shelf after shelf--around n room 90
feet square. This was under lock and
key. Adjoining the room was the
wine room. with hmndreds--yes, thou
sands, of cut glasses of every size and
oh Iv h., - he
mahogany table surrounded with
easy chairs where the president en-
tertains favored guests or friends in
friendly glass. Adjoining this was
the main banquet room. the table ac-
commodating possibly 25. The pres
ident's seat is elaborate and some
what different from the others. All
are covered with canvass with one
exception, which indicated the charac-
ter OF upholsteriDg. Passing from
room to room we entered the depart
ment OF state, where the president
receives his cabinet and advisors
The presidential clair is gorgeous.
To the right is the secretary of state.
and to the left the secretary of the
treasury, or the official that CORE
spends to this position In the United
States. Here is where the laws for
the government of Mexico eminate.
And right here II is only proper to
state that Diaz is the law. He is an
autocrat in every sense of the word
more SO than the czar of Russia. only
h0 exercises tho authority in diff
ferent way. While passing the writ
er planked himself In the presidential
chair just to see how 1t would seem.
The movement was not noticed by the
usher, who was telling about some
painting, but later, when another one
OF the party attempted the same thing
there was quick remonstrance. The
presidential suite of rooms number
possibly 40 to so and 1t required near
ly two hours to make the rounds. 1t
was the paintings, statuary and elab-
crate furnishings that attracted, in
dicating that the president of Mexi-
co lacks nothing tnat money can buy.
From the upper story we look down
into the presidents private patio
court and gardea--a beautiful spot.
1t is probably 100 by 200 feet, with
orange, cypress and other tropical
trees, not to mention the choicest
roses and Towering shrubs, with we'll
laid walks and comfortable seats.
What more could one ask? While the
president does rot often spend the
night In the palace, the accommoda.
lions for doing 80 are complete. When
he does not reside at Cnepaltepec
castle he occupies quarters near the
palace in building without any out
side pretensioDs In fact, 1t would
not be regarded as different from the
general run of buildings, but 1t Is DIFF
ferent on the inside The building
is located near the palace and Ii the
present abode of President Diaz.
The statement is made above that
President Diaz exercises more author
ity than the czar OF Russia. and we
will certify to this. Also. It is general
ly understood that the president of the
Mexican Republic is elected by pop
ular vote. This is what we read In
press dispatches sent TO the United
States. but 1t is far from the real
facts. The common people have
a ~. l.. l..a