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John Noble Goodwin

President Arthur Conroy.

The Presidential Election Amendment was a reform of the Mexico City Constitution promoted by Mexican President Arthur Conroy. Under the amendment, the president would be chosen by popular vote rather than selected by the Senate.

Conroy proposed the amendment in a special address to Congress on 10 November 1863, three months after winning a second term in the 1863 Mexican elections. Conroy said, "We must modernize our basic law. We will not change its spirit, for to do so would be both rash and unwise. Instead, we shall broaden its scope while retaining its focus.

"Therefore, I recommend two basic changes in the method by which we select our leaders. The first involves the president. At the present time he is selected by a senatorial vote. This cumbersome apparatus, so useful in the past, should be altered so as to make the president more the selection of all the people, and not just the choice of a small group. What I would recommend, then, is that the president in the future be selected by a majority vote of all the qualified citizens of our nation. Should no candidate receive a majority, then the Senate may select the president among the leading two contenders for the post." Conroy's second proposal was that Senators be elected by popular vote rather than being chosen by the state legislators. Since this second reform would have to be adopted by the states themselves, it would not be accomplished by federal legislation, but Conroy urged the states to adopt the reform.

Conroy had been careful to lay the groundwork for his proposed reform, advising his fellow Continentalist Party supporters among the Congress in advance. After his speech, these supporters spoke with their fellow legislators to help persuade them to add their support. They pointed out that direct presidential elections would not overturn control of the government by the country's Anglo and Hispano elites. Jefferson and California, the two most populous states, had Anglo majorities, and would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Hispano majorities in Durango and Mexico del Norte would also retain control of those states, while the Indians of Arizona could also be counted on to support the Anglo-dominated power structure. Only in Chiapas, the third most populous state, would Mexicanos constitute a majority of the voters.

Conroy's supporters also pointed out that there was growing agitation among states with Anglo minorities for "a more democratic method" of choosing government officials. Conroy's reforms would head off this agitation, ensuring domestic tranquility in the nation.

Although Conroy was unable to gain support from a majority of his own party, he was able to rely on votes from the opposition Liberty Party to gain passage of the amendment in 1864. Former President Hector Niles in particular praised Conroy's reforms, and his voice served to persuade the Libertarians to vote for Conroy's amendment.

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