has changed most of all, over a hundred times during the period 1821-54. The premiership follows, while the war minister, from his greater intimacy with the presidential interests, and his influence with the army, has proved the firmest. The constant change gave no opportunity for introducing or establishing order or reforms, and the confusion naturally affected general interests.[1]
Juarez and Lerdo sought to remedy the abuse, but lacked the necessary energy and thoroughness, hampered as they allowed themselves to be by factions. Diaz, on the other hand, proved true to his promise by a sweeping reorganization of the departments, first by removing the host of useless officials who added to the disorder and swelled the expenses for selfish purposes; next, by introducing system and encouraging zeal and honesty, selecting capable men and rewarding merit. Indeed, peculation and other abuses were rigorously looked after, although allowed, no doubt, under certain circumstances for politic ends. In the matter of spoliation, there is a difference between Mexico and the United States. In the northern republic, the people being the power, and on the watch,
- ↑ The foreign office, depending greatly on international law, had more definite principles. Its fourscore changes between 1821-55 brought in over 40 new men, of whom fully half ranked as lawyers. Some of the offices open in the afternoon as late as 6 p. m. This branch of the govt is divided into four depts, the American, the European, the cancillería, and the national archive office. In the cancillería, foreigners are registered, and their certificates; letters of naturalization are extended; passports issued, and despatches from different branches of the government registered. Signatures are affirmed, and the births, marriages, and deaths of foreigners registered. The expenses of the foreign office for the fiscal year 1883-4 was $335,868, the diplomatic and consular abroad costing $255,583. Mex., Mem. Hac., 1884, p. xxi.; Id., Mem. Relac. Ext., 1881. For earlier times, Mex., Col. Ley., i. 205– -9; iv. 49-51, 72-5, 292-3, 329-31, 342-4; xiii. 52–4; Mex., Legis., 1851, 18-34; 1852, 244-55, 329-41; 1853, 5-7, 13-14, 91-4; 1854, 104-9, 274-5; 1855, 585-9, 621-2; 1856, 349; Archivo Mex., i. 691; v. 63-5, 430-5, 683–96; vi. 230-1, 581-6; Codigo Reforma, 292-5; Mex., Bol. Ley., 1863, 63-6, 79-90; Mex., Col. Ley. Imp., i.-vii., passim; Dublan y Lozano, Leg. Mex., vii. 327, 607-11, 627; viii. 462; ix. 81, 88, 139, 235, 337; x. 28–31, 37, 166, and other volumes and pages of preceding collections. Buenrostro, Secund. Cong., i. 120-1; Diar. Debates, Cong. 10, xiii. 431-9, 876-7; Diaz, Aliscel., nos. 17, 56; Siliceo, Mem. Fom., 119-24; Thompson's Recol., 180-6. Under centralist and imperial régime, the council of state formed an important body, which during federal times has been replaced by the congress diputation of the recess. The occasional junta de notables also acted as such.
