Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1875, Volume II
No. 449.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, September 22, 1875. (Received Oct. 12.)
Sir: The eighth national Congress convened in this capital on the 16th instant, and was opened with the customary address by the President of the Republic. I inclose herewith a copy and translation of the address.
I am, &c.,
Address of President Lerdo at the opening of the Eighth Congress, September 16, 1875.
Citizen Deputies and Senators:
For the first time under the political regimen established in 1857 the legislative power of the union comes to exercise its functions composed of two chambers. The institution of the senate completes our constitutional system, offering new hopes of prosperity, both because the equal representation of the States is now combined with the proportionate representation of the population, as also because the greater concentration of intelligence and the double discussion of the laws will make of the Federal Congress a fruitful center of prosperity for the republic.
This reform, initiated eight years ago, is now realized, after being considered by various Congresses, approved by the legislatures of the States, and sanctioned by all the requisites of the fundamental code. We may congratulate ourselves on this eloquent proof of the regular course of our institutions in which this highly important modification has been introduced, not as the result of an impassioned agency, nor still less by violence, but as the result of tranquil discussion and the enlightened conviction that the measure was for the public good.
Our relations with the friendly powers continue to be cordially and happily cultivated.
The necessary data are now collected upon which to base the project of a treaty of limits between Mexico and Guatemala, the conclusion of which will be sought with zeal, it being desirous to hasten to a satisfactory termination this subject, which, during half a century, has occupied the attention of both countries.
The re-establishment of the monarchy in Spain having been communicated to the executive, the representative of Mexico in Madrid has been newly accredited.
The work of the mixed commission established in Washington is nearly, terminated, the decision in a few cases only being wanting, as also the resolution of the [Page 949] arbiter on several cases in which the commissioners were not agreed. At the early conclusion of this important business, it will be presented to Congress for its information.
The investigating commission in the States of Chihuahua and Sonora has terminated its labors satisfactorily, of which result the report has recently been made, which will soon be published.
Elections for magistrates of the supreme court of justice having been held in all the republic, the final declaration of Congress is only wanting to constitute that high tribunal complete.
Exercising the authorization conferred by Congress upon the executive, a law has been formed for the re-organization of the tribunals of the federal district. Its publication will be made in a short time, having been delayed because the code of proceedings in criminal matters should be issued at the same time, which project has been the object of certain amendments which were thought necessary in its careful revision.
The project of reform of the respective commission appointed in compliance with the law which ordered the revision of the code of civil proceedings will be sent to Congress at once.
Public instruction has continued to merit particular attention. Both in the primary and in the professional schools efforts have constantly been made to increase the elements of instruction, by establishing new professorships as well as providing all the instruments and other useful apparatus for practical teaching. With the same desire of obtaining the most perfect practical instruction, various pupils of the national schools have continued to be sent abroad when they have successfully concluded their studies.
The executive sent an initiative to Congress at its last session for the establishment of a normal school of teachers. This subject is very worthy to be recommended in order to meet the growing wants of primary instruction.
In the conservatory of music and declamation practical instruction in this last branch has been inaugurated, in order to encourage advancement in national art and dramatic literature. The executive has ordered a dramatic company to be subventioned, which is intrusted with the instruction and with placing on the stage the plays of Mexican dramatic authors, giving to these a part of the pecuniary benefits.
Notwithstanding certain difficulties, care has been taken to continue with regularity the ordinary payment of the civil and military lists.
On account of the imperious necessity of obtaining some increase in the receipts of the national treasury, in order not to neglect improvements of great interest and to meet the obligations of the administration, the executive, in the exercise of the authorizations of Congress, has ordered a time to be fixed when the reduction of ten per cent. in the tariff shall cease and the entire collection of the import-duties shall be made. In the last session of Congress the propriety of this measure had already been indicated, which has not been repugnant to public opinion, considering it as the most equitable and least onerous mode of obtaining additional resources.
According to the direction of Congress, more than $200,000, which represents almost the total of the copper money in circulation in Sinaloa, has already been withdrawn from circulation. It is expected soon to be able to withdraw the rest of this money, which, on account of its depreciation in that State, occasioned serious injury to commerce and to all social interests.
The insurrectionary bands in the State of Michoacan, although they have not been entirely suppressed, having been favored by the rugged character of the country, have very notably diminished. A competent federal force constantly pursues them and frequently defeats them, it being expected that very soon order will be entirely restored in that State. It is also to be believed that the disturbances which have occurred in Nuevo Leon, on account of local questions, will soon disappear, with a happy termination to those difficulties.
The insurrection against the local government of Chiapas has been effectually resisted by that government. As a sufficient federal force was also sent immediately, it is certain that no element of disorder in that State can maintain itself.
In the rest of the republic the benefits of peace are enjoyed, solidly supported by public opinion, which, with the experience of former revolutions, condemns all disturbances of legal order.
It is gratifying to the executive to state to Congress that it has hardly made any use of the extraordinary faculties which were conceded to it. It has sought to duly reciprocate the confidence of Congress by abstaining from the use of them in so far as its own faculties were sufficient. Nevertheless, the concession of these extraordinary powers has not been fruitless, as it has prevented the revolts from being extended, and also because the simple fact of investing the government with all necessary power has restrained those who wished to create public disorder.
Without neglecting the other branches of the administration, the development of public improvements has been zealously sought, under the conviction that these will assure the peace, being the most efficacious element of social progress.
[Page 950]The contract has been renewed with the steamship company which is engaged in the traffic between certain of our ports on the Pacific, for the benefit of their commerce.
The new telegraph-lines are already finished from San Luis Potosi to Tampico, from Mexico to Vera Cruz, from Cuernavaca to Cuautla, and from Tepeji to Tula, in the State of Hidalgo. At the same time there is being actively prosecuted the construction of the telegraph-lines of Chihuahua, from Tabasco to Chiapas, and from San Luis to Durango.
The works of the ports of Frontera and Tabasco being well advanced, their conclusion should not long be delayed. The works on the mole at Mazatlan are also already commenced.
The construction of the railroad from Vera Cruz to Zamorana is completed, as likewise that of the railroad from Vera Cruz to Jalapa, which has been in operation since June. The construction of the railroad from Merida to Progreso is being actively continued, as also that of the wagon-road from Tehuacan to the capital of Oaxaca, so useful for communication with that important State.
For the Central Railroad the reconnaissance and the plans of more than two hundred kilometers have been finished, that which embraces the entire route from Mexico to Queretaro. It is to be expected, within the time fixed by the law of the concession, this work, so beneficial to the States of the interior, will be realized.
“Citizen deputies and senators: You come to devote your enlightened attention to many subjects of real social importance. The patriotism and wisdom of the Eighth Constitutional Congress will be such that the period of its high mission will be fruitful for the well-being and prosperity of the republic.