would only open the door for wider encroachments, and refused even to listen to it.
Finding their suggestions unappreciated, and without means to carry out the task intrusted to them, the finance ministers entered office and resigned in rapid succession,[1] and it became difficult to induce any prominent and able man to accept a position so troublesome and thankless. In the ministries of relations and justice there were only four changes during the two years and a half of Herrera's administration, Lacunza, well known as lawyer and writer, holding the former portfolio for nearly two years,[2] while General Arista, of whom the president stood in awe, retained the war department during the whole period, and used its resources with great success and for his own advancement, as will be seen.
In the proposed reorganization, the military department received an attention corresponding to its economic and political importance. At the close of the late war a general outcry rose against the army for its inefficiency, so utterly out of proportion to its enormous cost, its pompous assumption, and its readiness to create local disturbances and revolutions. What a contrast to the body of well-trained soldiers and vet-
- ↑ From June 1848 till January 1851 there were 16 changes, 6 of them prɔvisional, and several made within a few days of the preceding. Among the ablest ministers figure Mariano Riva Palacio; Piña y Cuevas, the bank projector; Arrangoiz, a prominent conservative and later minister under Maximilian, and who, after his resignation in July 1849, accepted the embassy to France; Gutierrez, who had been long trained in the treasury; Manuel Payno, under whom the debts were refunded. He and Pia held the office for over 6 months. For dates and comments, see Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1848, 360, 379, 482; 1849, 54, 92, 177, 324-6; 1850, 158; Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1848, 159, 361, 380, 481-2; 1850, 130-1, 143, 169; Id., Col. Ley., Deс. у Оrd., 1850-1, і. 90; Domenech, list. du Mех., iі. 230-3. 'Se dificulta extraordinariamente encontrar una persona honrada que quiere hacerse cargo del ministerio de hacienda.' Monitor Rep., Nov. 14, 1849. Arrangoiz admits that he did nothing important, and that under direction of Alaman and Peña y Peña. Méj., ii. 298; Universal, July 22, Aug. 2, 1849, Mar. 3, May 15, June 29, July 4-5, 1850; Heraldo, Jan. 1849, etc. For certain unsustained charges against ministry. Castillo, Sentenc. Absol., 1-18; Pap. Var., xii. pt 12.
- ↑ From May 1849 till Jan. 1851, preceded by Luis G. Cuevas and M. Otero, with Monasterio for provisional occupant. The other secretariate was managed successively by J. M. Jimenez and Marcelino Castañeda.
