II. STATISTICS. 



I do not know of any publication in which the latest statistical in- 

 formation about Mexico is compiled in a concise and complete form. 

 One which perhaps is the fullest, published in Berlin by Messrs. 

 Puttkammer & Muhlbrecht, entitled Les Finances des Etats-Unis Mexi- 

 cains, written by Mr. Prosper Gloner, contains a great deal more 

 statistical information than others, and is of later date. 



It has requii^fa great deal of work, energy, and time on my part 

 to collect the data contained in this paper, most of which is of an 



rial character, and I am sure it is the most complete ever published, 

 I having tried to make it very concise, so as to take the smallest 

 space possible. 



REVENUES AND EXPENSES. 



The financial question was for many years the leading and the 

 most difficult one in Mexico, because the urgent needs of the Treasury, 

 especially on account of the disturbed condition of the country, made 

 public expenses considerably exceed the revenue, and this condition 

 did not allow of a thorough overhauling and settlement of the finances, 

 nor did it contribute to establish the credit of the Government ; but 

 peace having prevailed since 1877, a great improvement has taken place 

 in the financial condition of Mexico ; the revenue has increased con- 

 siderably, and it has finally reached an amount amply sufficient to pay 

 all our expenses. In fact, at the end of the fiscal year, ended June 

 30, 1896, we had for the first time in the history of Mexico since its 

 independence, a surplus which amounted to $6,000,000. The obnoxious 

 tax which we inherited from the Spanish, called alcabalas, or interstate 

 duties on domestic and foreign commerce, was a great drawback to 

 internal trade, was finally abolished on July i, 1896 ; and the country 

 being now in a condition when radical reforms can be introduced 

 without serious disturbances. 



Our expenses as an independent nation are necessarily large, and 

 as a comparatively small portion of our population are really producers 



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