The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-04
COLUMBIA. 81 G.
Tuesday Morning February 4, 1878.


CRUZ, by the 1st of January of the pre-
sent year. The opening of this first
main line of railroad was; m event Of
grent importance in our sister Republic,
and its inauguration was handsomely
conducted on the Arst day OF the year.
The company done the honors to the
President of the Republic, the Cabinet,
Congress-, foreign representatives, and
many distinguished guests. native and
foreign. Seven hundred seata were
placed at the disposal of the Govern
ment by the company. Starting before
the SUMS rays lit up the snowy peak OF Po.
cocapet', grand and conspicuous object
in the scenery near the Capital. the trains
glided smoothly over mostly level ground
to Boca del Monte, O distance of $50
miles. Here the sumptuous carriage
whioh bore the President was exchanged
for saloon-oar, with two compartments,
the hinder Quo being open, so as to allow
a full view Of the road, track and scene.
ry., The Chief Engineer was present to
explain. every thing. At this point be-
gan The descent -the Fairlie engine, with
steamobrske applied. succeeding admi-
fably i9regulating the downward move
ment OF one in twenty-h five gradient for
sixteen miles. Imagine, says oorres,
pondeht lot.the New York, World, who
accompanied the party, the transition
from M4y mohotonous. tfeeless, dusty,
endless plains, to the most lavish display
OF all the varieties of color, vegetation
and shape Of which q tropical andsospe,
assisted by earthquakes and volcanoes, is
capable, and let the transition be as in
stantaneous as unexpected. and you will
notwonder that the effect was magical
The train, on leaving the upper tableau,
runs through narrow gorge into tun-
mel, and out of the tunnel on to a short
iron bridge, literally hung in mid-air
over an apparently bottomless precipioe.
The effect on the passengoas was electri-
cal.
The Presidents train arrived at Oriza-
be at P. NJ, without accident or diff
Guilty Of any kind. Just as it reached
the bottom OF the incline, two other
trains which followed. one half way
down, and the other just commencing
the descent. appeared to be suspended at
different elevations, and forming a mag
nifcent spectacle. The people andmuni-
cipality OF Orizaba gave the President q
cordial reception. The journey. eighty
miles further to the coast, was resumed
the next afternoon. Skillful engineering
had led sthe road over the "batranca"
or ravineL1, 900 feet wide at the widest
point. and from 800 to 500 feet deep,
through which runs the river Metiao,
not by costly and monumental bridge.
bat by series OF cuttings. tunnels and
successive small bridges. These. wdiks,
succeeding each other with picturesque
rspidity, We'd in the admiration which
they excited with the beautiful scenery
OF the valley itself. Brilliant entertain
ments were given TO the President DUR
ing his stay Of three days in Vera Cruz.
The principal feature in these festivities
was the distinguished reception given to
him on board the Spanish frigate Isabel
- OuSoAAo01 t6bS6lS ~ tu0' TGOu0SL
OF Mr.. Herreros, the Spanish Minister
in Mexico, and through the courtesy Of
the Spanish authorities in Cuba, was
sent from Havana for the occasion. If
we may judge from the illuminations.
banquets and receptions at Vera Oruz,
and at Orizaba and Mexico on his return.
Mr.. Lerdo de 10 Tejada is popular Pre-
sident, and the opening OF the great
highway proceeding as delightful as it
was novel to the Me1icans.
Several rival railroad projects are be.
fore the Mexican Congress. There are
two American companies, represented
respectively by Gen. Rosecranz and Mr..
Edward L. Plumb. The English com.
pany, which has just completed the line
from Vera Cruz to Mexico, is asking for
concessions to extend their road TO the
Pacific. ola Queretaro, Leon and Guada.
lajara. The company represented by
Gen. Rosecranz, and understood to be
backed by the Pennsylvania Railroad