mean time issue, at an early day, an organic statute to have provisionally the force of law.
The ministry promised some special laws; namely, one on personal rights, others on the press,[1] police, and national guard; and still another, recognizing the independence of the municipalities, but without allowing them any action in political affairs.[2] The ecclesiastical question being one that demanded much circumspection in its treatment, the government reserved the expression of an opinion upon it till after it had received the cabinet's careful study and consideration.[3] It must be confessed that if President Comonfort could firmly establish all these measures, the promises of the last revolution would be realized. The defeat of a filibustering expedition in Lower California was an auspicious event, but the country was still destined to see dark horizons betokening changes in her political life. The day succeeding that on which Comonfort assumed the executive office occurred in Puebla the first revolt, one of the many that were to distract the government's attention from carrying out its intended measures of reform. It was reported in that city that the bishop was to be exiled. Soon after the hour of prayers on the 12th the bell of the cathedral tolled alarm, and some men of the poorest class tried to capture the barracks by surprise, joining the dragoons that came from Amozoc, belonging to General Güitian's brigade; but being repulsed, they intrenched themselves around the episcopal palace, and on the morning of the 13th dispersed, Güitian's men return-
- ↑ A provisional law granting ample freedom to the press was published on the 28th of Dec. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., i. 203-22.
- ↑ Other matters embraced in the programme were: abolition of taxes, judicial costs, and monopolies; building penitentiaries and improvement of jails; a new tariff law reconciling free-trade, where possible, with protection to home industry; an honest budget; acquisition of national property by foreigners; reformation of the mining laws; and facilitating public industrial exhibitions. Id., 141-2, 223-6.
- ↑ As a mark of reverence for the church, the archbishop and his clergy were invited to join the government and people in prayers to God to grant wisdom to the authorities in their measures to insure the welfare of the nation. Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1855, 633; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., vii. 631.
