Heureaux's first term as president is not…

Heureaux's first term as president is not particularly noteworthy.

The administrations of Luperón and Merino had achieved some financial stability for the country; political conditions have settled down to the point where Heureaux needs to suppress only one major uprising during his two-year tenure.

By 1884, however, no single successor enjoys widespread suport among the various caciques who constitute the republic's ruling group.

Luperón, still the leader of the ruling Blue Party, supports General Segundo Imbert for the post, while Heureaux backs the candidacy of General Francisco Gregorio Billini.

A consummate dissembler, Heureaux assures Luperón that he will support Imbert should he win the election, but Heureaux also has ballot boxes in critical precincts stuffed in order to assure Billini's election.