New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-04
CONDITION Of MEXICO.
The Mexican and Vera Cruz Railroad
American and English systems-The

Mail Contracts.
The Trait IL Union of the fifteenth OF De
cember gives interesting details OF proceed
iDps IN the Mexican Congress. The pressure
Of business has been so great that, contrary
to expectation, an extra session had been
voted the government members uneypect-
eGly siding with the opposition. Inc session
ought to have closed on the fifteenth OF this
:. month, but now it was to be kept open until
the fifteenth Of January. Among the mat
tiers on hand the railroad from Mexico to
Vera Cruz occupies a prominent place.
There is, besides, proposal Tor re-estao-
fishing order lin the State of Coahuila, the
International and interoceanic railroad pro-
feots internal improvements, and lastly, a
new electoral law.
TT was proposed to make these questions
special orders to take precedence OF all
other business, but this was voted down,
especially as there were other topics not In
cluded in this list and which were held to
be OF equal Importance The paramount
,tOpic has, however, proved to be the freight
tariff for the Vera Cruz and Mexico rail
road. This subject is one of vital import
ance to both native and foreigner, and has
led to the liveiest debate and to something
very nearly approaching otense AID quar-
rel.
On the fifteenth of March last contract
was executed between the minister OF pub
lie works and the company. This was duly
submitted for legislative action, sent to COM
~mittee and received a BILE report. The
committee report came up for consideration
and adoption. The government is. OF course,
in favor of the contract, and desires to see
it ratified. but the opposition is very power
, full, and includes many of the mem oers who
have usually been found in the government
ranks. The opposition adduce the example
of the United States as cogent Illustration
of freight tariffs pressing unfairly Oh the
agricultural interest. They insist on more
liberal arrangements which will, in their
opinion, favor the traffic. On the other
hand the company, backed by the
government insist on the contract pure and
simple, and refuse to submit TO demands
that may seriously compromise their future
profits. Ii is question of material interests
in opposition which ought to be III unison.
The railroad company has every reason TO
desire the farmers prosperity and easy
transit for agricultural products. If they
desire to have heavy freights and a success
full traffic business; the people, on their side,
can not but look anxiously TO the success
of this very important line, for any disaster
or Acknowledgement must lead to prejudices
and unfavorahle opinions; in this sense the
end in view is commoS, and II is a pity that
differences should have arisen as 10 the
mode by which it can he obtained.
Party feeling ran high, and the opposi-
ton at last called for the terms and condi-
lions of the original concession. A resoiu-
ton was passed for instant inqulry into the
moneys paid or due on the work without
taking into account the capital OF the enter
prise They also required a statement of
the shares issued and their nominal value,
with a similar statement OF the nominal
value and real product Of the bonds issued.
Tlsse accounts, when rendered, would
show at glance the sacrifice made by the
country TO carry out the work; but the fear
is that despite the earnest wish of tie gov
eminent this contract OF the fifteenth of
March runs a risk of not being ratified.
The Trait d Union argues that this debate
and its uncertain issues must serve as a |
lesson to government in relation TO the |
great railroad lines now competing for |
public support. To insure low treights |
there should be moderate cost Of construc-
ton and economical working expenses. The |
English and the American systems are be- |
fore them. The one dear, the other rela- !
lively cheap. The Intervention of third |
company, 1.-The Mexican limited, is illusory; |
this, if successful, must be supported hy |
English or German apital-probably the |
only object of this third company is 10 pre-
vent the success OF the North American |
enterprise.
The concession for mail service be-
tween Vera Cruz and New Orleans, held by |
Il. G. Ritter Il Co. should have gone into |
operation in the month of November. The |
contractors, however, had asked for an ex-
tension on the ground Of the financial crisis, |
and had offered to pay the penalty, $4,000. |
Their proposal had been accepted and the |
extension granted, so that the service would |
not be inaugurated until May. 1871. At the |
same time Messrs. Ritter &, Co. obtained an |
extension for Sour years of the mail con-
tract between New York and Vera Cruz |
by way of Havana. The steamship line be- |
tween Vera Cruz and Havana direct would |
probably commence work on the fifteenth |
of january. next.