Page:Mexico and its reconstruction.djvu/63

Rh that would have made them capable of solving by peaceful methods the very problems that peace and material development left at their door!

The election of 1882 illustrates the conditions at the beginning of the new regime. There were no true party organizations, practically no public gatherings, and little discussion of candidates or issues in the press. There were no nominating conventions. The candidates were chosen in private juntas of very select character. High flown editorials appeared concerning the solemnity of the electoral function but even the date of the election passed almost unnoticed and the announcement of the result was not of sufficient public interest to receive more than casual mention. Even the solemn public show of compliance with constitutional formulas, which characterized the later "elections," was not observed. Mexican leaders seemed to have tired of factional struggles and were willing to let the government in power rule—if it could assure peace.

By its organization the electoral system in force contributed to make it easy to impose the will of the party in power. It was so complicated that it obscured the