been accomplished partly by the tribunal reforms already noticed, together with an improved penitentiary system,[1] and a more unflinching enforcement of penalty, especially upon highway robbers, whom local judges and military commanders were instructed to shoot on sight or execute without delay. At the same time a more judicious gradation of punishments was recommended to the courts, and the intention is to speedily abolish executions.[2] No confiscation, lash, or mutilation is permitted.[3] The police force has been greatly improved,[4] and the admirable security of the country roads is mainly due to the rural guard,[5] a select body of men, assisted by converted robbers, on the principle of setting a thief to catch a thief.
The republic has not stood on the best footing with foreign powers, owing to the anarchic state of affairs, and her disregard for obligations and international usages. At first Europe held aloof out of respect for Spain, Colombia being the first to establish official relations, although no intimacy resulted. Indeed, Mexico was a main cause for the failure of the pro-
- ↑ Slowly being adopted. It was advocated by Bustamante, Ensayo, 1846, and was partly introduced at Guanajuato during he last decade. Guan., Mem. Gob., 1873, 33-9; Mex., Mem. Gob., 1873, 177-81. Report on new European system for adoption. Bárcena, Estud. Cres. 306; Medina, Projecto Penitenc., 1-186; Diaz' Informe Guadalajara has so far the most complete system Cal., Mem. Ejec., 1875-9, 1-44. See also S. Luis Pot., Penitenc., 1-1. Lenient treatment of prisoners is still excessive.
- ↑ As expressed already in art. 23 of the constitution, which prohibits them for poltical offences, etc. For efforts in states to that end see Tovar Hist. Parl., ii. 189 387, 394, 456, 536, et sec.; Diar. Debates, Cong. 5, iii. 151-290, passim, 707; Monitor, June 10, Nov. 25, 1869; Estrella Occid. Sept. 2, 1870. It has been the custom to enroll criminals in the army s recommended even by law. Colima, Leyes, no. 35.
- ↑ According to the constitution. The administrative power can impose only a correction not exceeding a month's imprisonment or a fine of $500.
- ↑ They carry lanterns, which, placed in the middle of the street, often forms the only illumination. Electric lights are being introduced. Regulations of the force. Chavez, Cod. Penal, 19-24; Mex., Mem. Gob., 1873, 9-85, and later dates; Policia, Regla., 1-8.
- ↑ 'Al principio esta guardia era compuesta de bandidos que se arrepentian.' Diaz, Biog., MS., 485. Its beginning lies in Juarez decree of 1857, Mex., Ley. Guardia Seguridad, 1-27, which lacked due enforcement. Report on later efficient steps. Mex., Mem. Gob., 1877-8 29-31 and later dates. The police signal and assist at fires. Regular fire departments are forming, the neglect thereof so far being due to the rarity of large fires owing to the general use of adobe and stone for buildings. Groso, MS., 2–3.
