The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-28

healthy financial condition to the country.
Mexican Railway Concession-Its Con.
fession Of Mexican Insolvency.
Our Mexican news yesterday was strange
combination of financial work. While our
correspondent tells us that they were Obliged
to pledge the duties on prospective ship
ment Of silver to pay the army and civil list,
he at the same time entertains us with an ac-
count of new concession for the Vera Cruz
and Mexico Railroad, which is terrible sui
cdal thrust on the part of the Mexican govern
ment terrible confession Of financial dis
honor; a fearful lowering of the pride pulled
into such inordinate Importance under the idea
that they drove the French from Mexico.
After agreeing to pay five hundred and sixty
thousand dollars annually for twenty-five sue
cessive years, the government, as if certain
that no sensible man would ever trust them to
the amount of one hundred dollars without a
double oath, says
ARTICLE 2o.-The supreme government solemnly
promises that the payment Of the five hundred and
sixty thousand dollars shall he made faithfully and
completely, without sublecting said amount any
suspension, reduction or other amendment decreed
Four other articles treat at length upon the
same question of the five hundred and sixty
thousand dollars annual subsidy. The already
overburdened Custom Houses Of Matamoros,
Tampico and others are now probably to
amuse those who present Custom House bonds
representing part Of this sum with the infor-
nation that some three or four hundred per
cent Of their income is already pledged in the
same way for numberless other purposes in
support of ''God and independence. Thus
the Mexicans themselves confess before the
world their absolute imbecility in financial af-
fairs. Another thing: In the face Of their
cherished constitution Of 1857, about which
they make such grandiloquent boasts, they
grant to this same railroad company an ex-
elusive privilege as witness =
ARTICLE 2-The company shah complete the con.
struction OF the road mentioned. between Vera
Cruz and the city OF Mexico. and the branch from
Apizaco TO Pueba the government binding itself not
TO subvention during the period OF sixty-dve years.
commencing from this date, any other corporation
Ing any other railroad between Vera Cruz and Mex
leo or points the \, snpyenon conceded
Jalapa Is not included in this promise.
This is plain violation of their fundamental
laws. It is, however, not surprising when we
see, contrary to this same constitution, the
feudal system Of internal custom houses still
existing in some ofthe States which compose the
republic. Their Congress has refused to ratify
the treaty for the settlement OF American
claims. This is not surprising, as anything that
savors of gratitude or justice is not generally
hurried through Mexican legislative assem-
bly,. The longer Mexico defers its ratification
Of this treaty the better 1t will be for Ameri
can claimants, who will be paid by the United
States next year when we take possession Of a
few Of the Northern Mexican States, which
are constantly pctitioning to be admitted to
the enjoyment Of settled government. Much
Is said In Mexico about the return Of Mr.. Ro-
nero to Washington as Minister, under the
idea that he can count largely upon General
Grant. II any man can count largely upon
another whose confidence he has betrayed,
then Mr. Romero would do well to return.
The truth is the Mexican liberals have had
their little experiment in self-government, and
are every day getting deeper and deeper into q
condition of national bankruptcy out Of which
they have no native brains sufficiently power
wi q extricste them