BarbarousMexico JOHN KENNETH TURNER

EIGHTH UNANIMOUS ELECTION OF DIAZ 177
try be permitted freely to choose a vice-president, so
that in case Diaz should die during his next term his
successor might be more or less in line with the desires
and ambitions of the people.
The silence with which President Diaz received the
publication of this plan was taken for consent, whereupon
there began a widespread agitation, an organization
of clubs, the holding of public discussions, newspaper
debates, all of which might very well be taken
as proof that President Diaz was right when he declared
the Mexican people fit at last to enjoy the blessings of a
real republic.
According to Mr. Barron, in an interview published
in the New York World, within a short time no fewer
than five hundred clubs were organized in Mexico. In
January, 1909, these clubs held a convention in the capital,
formed a central organization known as the Central
Democratic Club, elected officers and adopted a
platform, the main points of which were as follows:
Abolition of the jefes politicos and the transference of their
power to municipal boards of aldermen.
The extension of primary education.
Suffrage laws to be enacted and enforced placing the franchise
on a mixed cducational and property basis.
Greater freedom for the press.
Stricter enforcement of the laws of reform (against monastic
orders, etc.).
Greater respect for human life and liberty and a more effective
administration of justice.
Legislation making it possible for workingmen to secure
financial indemnity from their employers in case of accidents
and to enable the public to sue transportation companies and
other like corporations on the same ground.
Agrarian laws for the encouragement of agriculture.
The officers elected to head the new party were four
bright young congressmen: Benito Juarez, Jr., presi-