Page:Mexico and its reconstruction.djvu/68

50. The statements of the papers presented the most amazing contradictions. The work of the reporter and of the newspaper in the elections too often were interpreted not as involving a duty to report the facts but as an opportunity to damage the candidate opposed by misstatement and invective.

The degree to which popular government did not exist in Mexico in the old régime may be judged by the number of votes actually cast for the Presidential candidate. Going back before the Diaz régime we find the votes at the second election of Juarez to number 12,361 in a reported population of 8,836,000. Lerdo was chosen in 1872 by 10,465 votes with less than 1,000 in opposition. The control of the government in 1876 was determined by revolution. In 1880, 11,528 votes were cast for Gonzalez with a scattering opposition. Popular interest did not rise even with the establishment of peace. Throughout the Diaz régime there continued the apathy on the part of the general electorate which must be shaken off before Mexico can lay any claim to being a representative or popular government.

Since the passing of the old régime no issue has been presented to the people under conditions that would encourage a free expression of popular opinion. The private instructions sent out for the Huerta election in 1913, which was the veriest farce, showed on their face the desire to preserve an apparent respect for popular will and to assure that it should be defeated.

Political parties and citizens were to be "given full freedom in the polls which may operate, allowing them