Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-04
MEXICAN REFORMS,
ASKED BY REBELS.
ARE URGED BY D|AZ
Principle of No Reelection for
the President and ctiler Ex-
eCutive FunCtionarieS Are
Conceded in Message
(Ry Associated Press.

MEXICO CITY, April Committing
himself to the advocacy of many of the
reforms demanded by the revolutionists,
although professedly bowling only to
the influence of public opinion, General
Diaz answered his critics through his
semi-annual message at the opening to-
day of the national congress.
The principle of no reelection of the
chief executive and incumbents of
other elective offices and the reform of
the electoral laws so that the privilege
of the ballot may be enjoyed by those
citizens who are considered capable of
voting" were advocated.
The message refers specifically to
the application of the no reelection
principle, to the naming of state gov
ernors, sone of the chief contentious of
the discontinued ,elemen throughout
the republic, the president stating that
if a bill providing for the periodical
renovation" of the officials in ques-
ton should come before congress it
would have his earnest support.
Abuse of power by pefen politico, an
other of the crying evils complained of
by residents in the rural districts
throughout Mexico, is to be abated, ac-
president.
IMPROVE THE JUDICIARY.
The president proposes to improve
the efficiency of the judiciary through
a more careful selection of it's person
mel and lengthening of the tenure of
office. Efficacious punishment of Ju-
dicial functinaries for malfeasance is
to be brought about through the enact
ment more stringent measures.
fe-fr NF he
great private estates, first preached by
Minister Limantour in his Paris inter
view, the chief executive declared his
determination to find efficient means
for bringing about the innovation
In no previous message of the pres
ident has there ever been anything in
tho nature of a recommendation. Until
tonight his messages have been mere
resumes of things accomplished.
The public, knowing the president in
this message to the 18th congress, would
depart from the ordinary course and sug-
gest special legislation, has shown the
most intense interest. This feeling of ex-
pectancy found expression in the mem
bers of congress and from the minute the
chief executive entered the chamber of
deputies until the last word of his mes
sage every man on the floor as we'll as
those persons in the galleries listened in
tently. Every available seat in the gal
leries was occupied, either by diplomats.
public officials, or by those fortunate
enough to have obtained cards Of admis-
sion.
APPEARED NO MORE Al.
President Diaz appeared no more aged
tonight than he did when he read his
message in September, and in spite of the
fact that the reading today required more
more than an hour, his voice was as
strong at the conclusion as at the be-
ginning.
Only once was the president interrupt
ed by applause. At the mention of re-
forms there was a spontaneous clapping
of hands for one brief minute and then
no more was heard until the close when
the big auditorium resounded to hand
clapping and cries of Viva" This ap-
peared to be due not so much to a lack
of appreciation as to the keennees with
which the audience followed the reader.
Now and then some one would cough or
a shuffling of feet would be heard and
Instantly scores frowning faces were
turned toward the origin of the sound and
a low chorus of Kisses, the signal for 81
lence would arise.