Ramón Corral
Encyclopedia
Ramón Corral was the Vice President
of Mexico
under Porfirio Díaz
from 1904 until their deposition in 1911.
, on 10 January 1854 to Fulgencio Fabián Corral Rochín (January, 1834–1868) and María Francisca Almada y Verdugo (1836- ). He was Christened on 21 January 1854 at the Purísima Concepción Roman Catholic Church
.
Ramon Corral first gained notoriety in 1872 as the publisher and editor of two local newspapers, “El Fantasma”, and “La Voz de Álamos,” both of which were critical of Sonoran Governor General Don Ignacio Pesqueira. In the years that followed, Corral increasingly became involved in politics.
Corral was married to Amparo V. Escalante on February 25, 1888. Miss Escalante was the daughter of Vicente Escalante, a well known Mexican statesman of the time. The religious element of the twofold marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Father Ortega of Hermosillo
, with a civil ceremony performed by Civil Judge Bonito Mendez, of the Hermosillo District.
that advised President of Mexico
Porfirio Díaz
. He served as Secretary of State from 1891 to 1895. He became Governor of the Federal District of Mexico in 1900, and was sworn in as Minister of the Interior in the cabinet of Porfirio Díaz in 1903. He was elected Vice President in 1904 and re-elected in 1910.
: 1879-1881, 1883–1885, 1885–1887. Federal Deputy of Sonora: 1881-1883. General Secretary of Government of Sonora: 1879-1880, 1883-1887. Vice-Governor of Sonora: 1887-1891. Secretary of State: 1891-1895. Governor of Sonora 1895-1899. Governor of the Federal District: 1900-1903. Secretary of the Interior and Vice-President of the Republic: 1903-1904, 1904–1911, 1910-1911.
for medical care, as he had been earlier diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
. After being operated on, the cancer was found to be incurable. In light of his own deteriorating condition, and the increasing revolutionary opposition
to the Díaz government, Corral submitted his resignation to Francisco León de la Barra
, President Porfirio Díaz
’s foreign secretary, which Barra held until Díaz submitted his own "Renuncia" on May 25, 1911.
On the two occasions that the national convention advanced my candidacy as Vice-President of the republic, to figure in the elections with Gen. Diaz as President, I stated that I was prepared to occupy any office in which compatriots considered that I would be of use, and that if the public vote conferred upon me a position so far above my merits, then my intention would be to second in all respects Gen. Diaz's policy, in order to co-operate with him, as far as it lay in my power, toward the aggrandizement of the nation, which had developed so notably under his administration.
Those who concern themselves with public affairs and have observed their progress during the last few years will be able to say whether I have complied with my intention.
For my part, I can say that I have never endeavored to bring about the least obstacle either in the President's policy or his manner of carrying it out even at the cost of sacrificing my convictions, both because this was the basis of my programme and because this corresponded to my position and my loyalty, as well as that I did not seek any prestige in the office of Vice-President, so useful in the United States and so discredited in Latin countries.
In the events which have shaken the country during these latter months, the President has been brought to consider that it is patriotic to resign from the high office that the almost unanimous vote of Mexicans had conferred upon him in the last election, and that it is advisable at the same time, in the interest of the country, that the Vice-President do likewise, so that new men and new energies should continue forwarding the prosperity of the nation.
Following my programme of seconding Gen. Diaz's policy, I join my resignation with his and in the present note I retire from the office of Vice-President of the republic, begging the chamber to accept the same at the same time as that of the President.
I beg of you gentlemen to inform yourselves of the above, which I submit with the protests of my highest consideration.
Liberty and Constitution, Paris, May 4, 1911.
[Signed] "RAMON CORRAL."
of his illness on 10 November 1912, surrounded by family members.
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
under Porfirio Díaz
Porfirio Díaz
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was a Mexican-American War volunteer and French intervention hero, an accomplished general and the President of Mexico continuously from 1876 to 1911, with the exception of a brief term in 1876 when he left Juan N...
from 1904 until their deposition in 1911.
Early Years
Corral was born Ramón Corral Verdugo on Hacienda Las Mercedes (where his father worked), near the city of Álamos, SonoraSonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, on 10 January 1854 to Fulgencio Fabián Corral Rochín (January, 1834–1868) and María Francisca Almada y Verdugo (1836- ). He was Christened on 21 January 1854 at the Purísima Concepción Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
Ramon Corral first gained notoriety in 1872 as the publisher and editor of two local newspapers, “El Fantasma”, and “La Voz de Álamos,” both of which were critical of Sonoran Governor General Don Ignacio Pesqueira. In the years that followed, Corral increasingly became involved in politics.
Corral was married to Amparo V. Escalante on February 25, 1888. Miss Escalante was the daughter of Vicente Escalante, a well known Mexican statesman of the time. The religious element of the twofold marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Father Ortega of Hermosillo
Hermosillo
Hermosillo is a city and municipality located centrally in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. It is the capital and main economic center for the state and region. It contains almost all of the state's manufacturing and has thirty percent of its population...
, with a civil ceremony performed by Civil Judge Bonito Mendez, of the Hermosillo District.
Activity in the Political Arena
Corral was one of the CientíficosCientífico
The Científicos were a circle of technocratic advisors to President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz....
that advised President of Mexico
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Porfirio Díaz
Porfirio Díaz
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was a Mexican-American War volunteer and French intervention hero, an accomplished general and the President of Mexico continuously from 1876 to 1911, with the exception of a brief term in 1876 when he left Juan N...
. He served as Secretary of State from 1891 to 1895. He became Governor of the Federal District of Mexico in 1900, and was sworn in as Minister of the Interior in the cabinet of Porfirio Díaz in 1903. He was elected Vice President in 1904 and re-elected in 1910.
Offices Held
Local Deputy of SonoraSonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
: 1879-1881, 1883–1885, 1885–1887. Federal Deputy of Sonora: 1881-1883. General Secretary of Government of Sonora: 1879-1880, 1883-1887. Vice-Governor of Sonora: 1887-1891. Secretary of State: 1891-1895. Governor of Sonora 1895-1899. Governor of the Federal District: 1900-1903. Secretary of the Interior and Vice-President of the Republic: 1903-1904, 1904–1911, 1910-1911.
Final Days
Díaz choose Corral as his successor in 1911, but Corral had traveled to ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
for medical care, as he had been earlier diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
. After being operated on, the cancer was found to be incurable. In light of his own deteriorating condition, and the increasing revolutionary opposition
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
to the Díaz government, Corral submitted his resignation to Francisco León de la Barra
Francisco León de la Barra
Francisco León de la Barra y Quijano was a Mexican political figure and diplomat, who served as interim president of Mexico from May 25 to November 6, 1911....
, President Porfirio Díaz
Porfirio Díaz
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was a Mexican-American War volunteer and French intervention hero, an accomplished general and the President of Mexico continuously from 1876 to 1911, with the exception of a brief term in 1876 when he left Juan N...
’s foreign secretary, which Barra held until Díaz submitted his own "Renuncia" on May 25, 1911.
Letter of Resignation
Corral's letter of resignation gave no doubt that he had foreknowledge of President 's intention to resign, and that the course of events would lead to a new government for Mexico:On the two occasions that the national convention advanced my candidacy as Vice-President of the republic, to figure in the elections with Gen. Diaz as President, I stated that I was prepared to occupy any office in which compatriots considered that I would be of use, and that if the public vote conferred upon me a position so far above my merits, then my intention would be to second in all respects Gen. Diaz's policy, in order to co-operate with him, as far as it lay in my power, toward the aggrandizement of the nation, which had developed so notably under his administration.
Those who concern themselves with public affairs and have observed their progress during the last few years will be able to say whether I have complied with my intention.
For my part, I can say that I have never endeavored to bring about the least obstacle either in the President's policy or his manner of carrying it out even at the cost of sacrificing my convictions, both because this was the basis of my programme and because this corresponded to my position and my loyalty, as well as that I did not seek any prestige in the office of Vice-President, so useful in the United States and so discredited in Latin countries.
In the events which have shaken the country during these latter months, the President has been brought to consider that it is patriotic to resign from the high office that the almost unanimous vote of Mexicans had conferred upon him in the last election, and that it is advisable at the same time, in the interest of the country, that the Vice-President do likewise, so that new men and new energies should continue forwarding the prosperity of the nation.
Following my programme of seconding Gen. Diaz's policy, I join my resignation with his and in the present note I retire from the office of Vice-President of the republic, begging the chamber to accept the same at the same time as that of the President.
I beg of you gentlemen to inform yourselves of the above, which I submit with the protests of my highest consideration.
Liberty and Constitution, Paris, May 4, 1911.
[Signed] "RAMON CORRAL."
Death
Corral died in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
of his illness on 10 November 1912, surrounded by family members.
Selected Works by Corral
- Breve Manifestación que la Diputación Permanente del Congreso del Estado, Hace al Pueblo. Ures, Sonora, Mexico: Imprenta del Gobierno. 1878
- El General Ignacio Pesqueira: Reseña Histórica del Estado de Sonora. Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico: Imprenta del Estado. 1900 [1886]. A biography of Ignacio Pesqueira, governor of Sonora for 20 years (1856–1876).
- Informe leido por el C. Ramón Corral vice gobernador constitucional de Sonora ante la legislatura del mismo estado. Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico: Gobierno del Estado. 1889.
- La Mayoría del Congreso del Estado, al Pueblo Sonorense. Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico: Imprenta de Roberto Bernal. 1878
- Memoria de la administración pública del Estado de Sonora, presentada a la Legislatura del mismo por el Gobernador Ramón Corral. 2 vols. Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico: Imprenta de E. Gaxiola. 1891
- Obras históricas. Reseña histórica del Estado de Sonora, 1856-1877. Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico: Imprenta del Estado. 1900. A biography of José María Leiva (CajeméCajeméCajemé / Kahe'eme , born José Maria Bonifacio Leiva Perez was a Yaqui leader who lived in the Mexican state of Sonora from 1835 to 1887....
), the Yaqui leader whom Corral interviewed shortly before Cajemé was executed.