592
WAR OF RACES.
tion, was evidently the favorite among the people; and as his decided control of the government gave him an advantage, the opposition turned their efforts chiefly against him. The conservatives had special cause for dislike in his arbitrary interference with the municipal elections in the capital, resulting in the removal of the conservative monarchical ayuntamiento of 1849, the introduction of a law whereby the longstanding control of the local authorities in the elections was taken from them, and the consequent installation for 1851 of a strongly liberal body.[1] They did not hesitate to bring forward the most absurd charges to create prejudice, even to accuse him of instigating the murder of a prominent citizen.[2] All
- ↑ By decree of Nov. 6, 1850. Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1850, 214-15. The ayuntamiento elected for July 1849 included such men as Alaman, the aged minister, now favoring a stable monarchy, Vasquez de Leon, and Arrangoiz, later strong pillars of Maximilian. The proceedings of Arista at the close of 1849, to stay their control of the ensuing election, created some disorder and mobbing, and led to the resignation of the body, after a protest against the meddling of the government. The minister of justice also retired, and was replaced by Senator Castañeda on Dec. 7th. The preceding ayuntamientos of 1847 and 1848 successively declined the invitation to assume the management, and petitions poured in against it, as well as abuse from journals. Instance, Universal, Aug. 30, 1849, and subsequent dates; Globo, Dec. 2, 1849, etc.; La Muerte, Tio Nonilla, and others. The editor of the latter sheet, a Spaniard, was banished as obnoxious to peace. The rest were protected by the existing liberty of press. The electors chosen by the government commissioners failed to reach the necessary numbers, and Anaya, the governor of the district, resigning, Col Azcárate succeeded him, to assume also control of municipal affairs. Finally congress decreed the installation of the body ruling in 1848, which held possession from Sept. till Jan. 1, 1851, when the newly elected liberal regidores entered. Decrees concerning the successive elections and changes are in Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1849, 113-15, 131-3; Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1850, 5, 206–-8, 213-14, 243-4. For charges against ministry for meddling, see Arango y Escandon, Acusacion, 1-12; Mex. Pamphlets, iii. pt vi. Review of district affairs in Méx., Mem. Min. Rel., 1851, 36-43, ap. no. 7. Observations by Governor of State Arizcorreta in Respuesta, 3; Dispos. Varias, v. 67; Pap. Var., cciii. pt v. 4. Riva Palacio succeeded Arizcorreta in 1849 as governor of the state of Mexico. Alaman, Apunt. Biog., 40-1.
- ↑ Cañedo, deputy from Jalisco, although the thieves who, assisted by a servant, had done the deed were quickly caught and convicted, yet the execution was delayed for a time. See charges in Universal, Mar. 31, 1850, and Huracan, based on a supposed fear by Arista of documents in Cañedo's possession. On July 27, 1850, the Universal headed a number of journals in a formal protest against Arista's candidature, as the outcome of intrigue, not of party nomination, urged merely by organs of the minister, who paid them from the public treasury. He had failed to aid in defending Mexico against the late invaders, and broken faith with all parties, surrounded himself with adventurers, and disturbed public peace to gain his own ends. His election would only produce revolution. See also Garay, Defensa, 1-64; Miscel., xii. pt 4.
