[XXIII-46] Chamorro, Discurso en el acto de entrega, March 1, 1879.
[XXIII-47] He based his conclusion on this ground: 'La trasmision legal y tranquila del Mando Supremo, que viene repitiéndose desde tantos años en Nicaragua.' Nic., Discurso Inaug. del Presid. Zavala, March 1, 1879; Salv., Diario Ofic., Sept. 28, Nov. 12, Dec. 12, 22, 1878; Jan. 22, March 13, 1879; Voz de Méj., May 6, 1879.
[XXIII-48] The following measures were passed: law of civil registration; penal code; mode of procedure in criminal cases; creation of justices of the peace, and military courts of first resort, to take the place of the governors of departments, where for greater economy it has been deemed expedient to suppress these officers, as well as the respective military garrisons; restoration of the universities; and the appropriations for the current fiscal biennial term. It also sanctioned the treaty concluded with Guat. and Salv. in 1877, and the treaties and conventions lately entered into with Hond.; namely, amity, commerce, extradition, exportation of cattle, postal, and telegraphic.
[XXIII-49] Those on the railway decreed by the assembly of 1876, and begun by the former administration, were progressing. Two important contracts were made, one for navigation on the lake by fair-sized steam vessels, and another for the construction of a railroad from Chinandega to Moábita or Leon Viejo, and thence to Granada. The section between Corinto and Chinandega went into operation Jan. 1st. Telegraphic lines were in working order. A contract had also been concluded to lay a submarine cable to connect with the Mexican telegraphs.
[XXIII-50] Excise tax on real estates, export duties, and certain monopolies were abolished.
[XXIII-51] Pan. Star and Herald, March 5, 1881.
[XXIII-52] Among them were one for amending the constitution, and for abolishing judicial fees, in order to have gratuitous administration of justice. An act to seize private lands, by paying for it, for facilitating the construction of railroads, was passed. Id., Apr. 1, 1881.
[XXIII-53] It was proved beyond a doubt. El Porvenir de Nic., May 28, 1881.
[XXIII-54] In exhorting the young to avail themselves of the advantages the institute would afford them, he said that christianity was the true basis of education, and added that liberty of conscience and of speech was necessary for the perfect education of free men.
[XXIII-55] Several prominent citizens, among whom were Ex-president Chamorro, and Ex-minister Rivas, urged the govt to let the jesuits remain; but their arguments could not stand against Zavala's determination to rid his country of a dangerous religious and political body. Nic., Mem. Min. Gobern., 1883, 5-6, annexes A and B; Costa R., June 9, 1885; Pan. Star and Herald, May 21, June 16-18, 1883; S. F. Bulletin, July 6, 16, 1881.