Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-19
a NEW ELECTION LAW.

Mexico city, May 31.-During the
recent diplomatic exchanges between
the government and the leaders OF
the revolution which resulted yesterday
in the proffered designations of Presf-
dent Diaz and Vice President Carral
agreement on Foreign Minister De La
Barra as acting President and the ar
rangement OF a general armistice as
basis for peace, the government draft
ed "A new election Lax for submission
to the Chamber of Deputies and under
which the election of DiaZ's successor
Will be held. The measure. SO far as is
consistent, follows the French law.
Under the French law the national
executed is elected for seven years
by an absolute majority of votes by
the Senate aud Chamber of Deputies
united in an assembly or congress.
Heretofore the Mexican national gov
eminent has conducted the elections
through the local mayors, who presided
at the pollings. The mayors passed
On the eligibility Of voters and counted
the ballots. Their powers. linked with
their obligations to the national adj
ministration. gave rise to charges of
fraud against the government.
Under the proposed law the mayors
must keep their hands off. Candidates
will conduct their own campaigns and
their representatives will control the
registration lists and count the ballots.
The whole design of the bill is to place
the franchise completely in the hands
of the voters. Fer the benefit of those
ho cannot read. the name of each
candidate viii be printed in an exclus-
i've color on vari-colored ballot sheets.
Thus they scratch off the colors in
which the names of opposed candidates
appear, leaving only the color and
names of the voters choice.
1t is admitted that the first election
under the new system will be a crude
affair but it viii be, according to pop
ular belief. a step in the right direc-
| ton
Doubtless there will be some disord-
ers. but the government hopes that
! these viii be local and comparatively
easy Of suppression.
! al telegraph lines are down north
Of Saltillo, in Coahuila province. 1t is
reported that a rising has occurred al
san Miguel De Allende, in Guanjuato
The municipal palace there has been
burned and the telegraph office robbed
Serious troubles are also reported in
| Monterey.
The prospect of popular elections has
already had the effect of bringing three
political parties into being, the Inde-
pendent Democratic, the National
Catholic and the Progressive. TIT
| Progressive is the name by which the
| Maderists win be known. 1t is be-
lieved that the greatest danger To the
| Maderists lies in the Catholic party
which is considered the capitalization
Of the church element.
Not since the days of Juarez has the
| church had anything to do with the
politics OF Mexico. 1t was effeetuallg
| eliminated when Juarez promulgated
the laws of reform. The program OF
! this party was issued today. 1t was
| signed by four of the wealthy men OF
tie republic which have been intiuen-
tial in its social and commercial life
! They advocate reforms almost identi-
cal with those demanded by Madero.
Tile Independent Democratic party
| has issued a draft of its platform
| which contains plans that also ars
similar to those of Madero. The promot-
crs of this party are not men of a.
! great prominence
It was officially stated tonight that
the condition Of President Diaz wa.
| somewhat improved. The swelling il
the face has been reduced. and only {
trace of the fever remains, The attend.
ing physicians believe they have check
ed the infection.