Holbrook argus., 1907-11-12
MOVEMENT ON FOOT FOR RE, FORM IN TRIAL OF CASES.
Attitude of Government In Holding Prisoners Guilty Until Proven Innocent Becoming Un-
 popular In Republic.


 movement to bring about reform in the case of prisoners and the conduct of cases The Mexican has definite ideas of what he can and can not do, and is certain that, if he breaks the law, he will have a heap of trou- ble. The wheels of the legal machin- cry grind with fearful slowness here, but the guilty rarely escape. and the innocent who suffer are few and far between.
 The general attitude of the govern ment toward one who has committed an offense is diametrically opposite td that of the United States, where man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. In many respects the Mexican procedure is that the man is guilty until proven innocent.
 As an example, uDon the commission of a crime, the suspected criminal is placed in a cell where for three days he is not allowed to communicate with anyone. In those three days the prosecution is supposed to have had sufficient time to sift the evidence against the suspect" thoroughly, and not to be baked in this by the sus poets communicating with friends who could hide evidence and generally aid in thwarting the prosecution. While this works hardship on an innocent person, it unquestionably prevents many criminals from establishing an alibi.
 On the other hand, the prosecuting attorney is bound to warn the suspect against doing anything which will in criminate himself, and his clearly de fined duty is to protect as well as prosecute.
 The tedious delays incident to secur ing jury in the United States are eliminated in Mexico, where all crimes are tried before judge who decides the case and whose decision is gener ally irrevOcable. While many of the laws of Mexico may appear to a citi zen of the United States as peculiar and absurd, still some of them are worthy of consideration
 The law demands tEat persons ad vertising a show or anything must be able to fulfill the promises of the ad vertisement in detail or else suffer i'm prisonment This bars circuses and many other fambJyant advertisers from Mexico. Several years ago a theatrical company crossed the line into Mexico from the United States and posted bills whereon were dis played an aggregation of beautiful wo men doing wonderful acrObatic feats A large audience attended and while the acrobatic turns were as advertised the women performers were far from handsome. The show was stopped at once, all the money refunded to the audience, and the management es capped with heavy fine.
 Gambling is recognized as an in dustry in Matamoras, as well as in other Mexican cities. Every year the privilege of conducting gambling es tablishments in cities is let to the highest bidder, and only by making arrangements with him can anyone open gambling establishment.
 The principal game in these places is roulette, where bets are made upon the chance of a ball dropping into a partition of wheel which is revolved rapidly. Should the croupier, either by accident or design, call the wrong number he will be liable to a heavy jail sentence, and the proprietor to a fine. .,t
 President Diaz has authority by which a corner in any of the food stuff markets can be checked at once