Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/301

Rh counteract the schemer by displaying in the worst light the evils he had brought upon the country by his despotic, dishonest, and extravagant measures. By seizure and illegal sale of national or corporation property, by outrageous contracts, suspended salaries and payments, by embezzlement of funds and other means, the nation had been defrauded during his last rule of fully thirty millions, and burdened with an enormous taxation that oppressed every industry and checked development. A large part of these extortions was held and displayed by his adherents in the most unblushing manner, partly in estates taken from the nation or from institutes and occupied as grants or under lease or trust, Santa Anna himself having increased his estates in Vera Cruz to princely proportions, and elsewhere by new accessions.

The efforts of the new government were directed for a time wholly to reform, one feature of which consisted in replacing the many inefficient officials introduced in every department either by favor or with a view to serve as tools. Partisanship prevailed even now in many instances over merit, yet the change, involving a reduction of the excessive staffs, proved most acceptable. At the same time the administration sought to secure itself by redistribution of