of war and finance. After some deliberation a decree was passed, May 26th, to that effect.[1]
On the 18th of May, a decree was passed declaring that the electoral colleges only could decide upon the legitimacy of popular elections. This was a direct blow at the supreme court. The design was obvious. Lerdo feared that that tribunal, with its existing powers, would counteract his electoral intrigues, and restricted its faculties by this measure, which his majority in congress enabled him to push through. José María Iglesias, the president of the court,[2] immediately resigned, considering that the constitutional prerogatives of the supreme court were assailed.[3] Lerdo, however, was unwilling that Iglesias should retire under such circumstances, and declined to accept his resignation. He had several interviews with him, and Iglesias finally withdrew his resignation; but entered a strong protest against the new law, and declared that he would not submit to it.[4]
At the time of Lerdo's elevation to the presidency, it would not have been a difficult matter for him to break down the barrier of differences between the rival parties, who were then in a mood to coalesce on broad principles. Had he effected this, he would have surrounded himself with a large circle of stanch supporters, to which only the feeblest opposition could have been offered. But his popularity, as we have
- ↑ This decree, which declared those of December 2, 1871, and May 14, 1872, to be in force, authorized the executive to proclaim martial law in the disaffected districts; to apprehend suspected persons; to search private dwellings; to raise forces and incur all necessary expenses. Diario Debates, 7ᵒ Cong., iv. 418-25, 551-86; Méx., Inic. Ejec., in Doc. Hist. Mex., nᵒ 9. These powers were to last till one month after the reassembling of congress, that is, till Oct. 17th.
- ↑ When the presidency became vacant in 1872 by the elevation of Lerdo to the chief magistracy, the most popular candidates for the position were Iglesias and Riva Palacio. The former was elected and proclaimed by congressional decree of May 15, 1873. Diario Debates, 6ᵒ Cong., iv. 432-4, 444-63; El Federalista, Nov. 28, 1872, May 17, 1873; Estado de Sin., May 15, 1873; El Monitor Rep., May 17, 20, 1873.
- ↑ 'Atacaba á mi juicio, de una manera incuestionable, las facultades constitucionales de la corte.' Iglesias, Recuerdos Polit., MS., 1.
- ↑ 'Convine en sustituir á la renuncia una enérgica protesta oficial contra la ley de 18 de Mayo de 1875, á la que declaré que no me someteria.' Id., 2.
