Page:Margaret Shipman - Mexico's Struggle Towards Democracy (1927).pdf/39

 eral political parties were organized, two of which nominated Madero for president. The administration attempted to allay popular dissatisfaction by establishing a bank for promotion of irrigation and other agricultural improvements, but loans were given to only a few rich favorites and made matters worse.

The elements that were against the revolution were the bureauracy, supported by most of the foreign interests, the creole aristocracy and the church. Those for the revolution were a considerable section of the middle class, a large portion of the laboring class, and probably certain of the foreign interests.

The cientificos, who headed the bureaucracy, were a small group, perhaps a score, of astute business manipulators, who obtained huge graft from all large enterprises, public and private. Contracts, monopolies, concessions, adjustment of the public debt, all brought them wealth, and their example was emulated by most public office holders and employees to the extent of their opportunity. Owing to the small amount of middle class business in Mexico, educated workers and professionals depend very largely upon the government for employment. Diaz, who is described by business men as "honest" and was proud of the fact that he left several millions in the public treasury, grew old in office and it is generally supposed that the cientificos carried things with a high hand towards the last.

General Reyes, long an important adherent of Diaz, conceived a desire to supplant him and for