strength every day and that if it receives financial assistance nothing will be able to wreck it. But all, pessimists and optimists alike, agree that the greatest problems facing the government to-day, excepting the financial, are the problem of reconstruction and the existence of the rebels.
Finance is, of course, the greatest problem, and it is the more puzzling because the problems of financing a nation like Mexico are not similar to the problems of financing more civilised and enlightened countries. Selfishness and ignorance play an even greater rôle in Mexico than pork-barrel politics play in Washington!
One day I recall when the Chamber of Deputies was in session a member called the attention of the presiding officer to the lack of a quorum. Those who have seen how well the U.S. House of Representatives is attended during most of the debates will understand such a situation.
The President of the Deputies summoned the Sergeant-at-Arms and ordered him to send the members to their seats. Meanwhile the proceedings waited the arrival of the deputies. After a long interval the Sergeant returned, reporting that he was unable to procure a quorum.
"Where are the members?" inquired the President.
"They are at the Cashier's window awaiting their pay," answered the officer.
"Summon the cashier," ordered the President, and when the latter reached the rostrum he was
