New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-13
THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA.
PRESENT ASPECT OF PANAMA.


PANAMA, Jan. 2.-Tho old City Of Panama is not
bad place in which to make Winter sojourn. The
sckly months of rain having ended, we have .
tropical climate in its perfection. Cool trade-wnds
cross the mountains from the Caribbean Sea, and
bathe the town; the days are fresh and full of glory
from sunrise to sunset tho nights are
Strengthening and healthful Besides, q stranger
now finds comforts and Injuries here,
which render tho town very different from tho
Panama Of a few years ago. Two excellent hotels
have been established within short time. Many Of
the foreign residents, such the merchants whose
shops surround the Plaza and the officials
of tho Transit and Steamship Companies, board at
the Grand Hotel-a house that has not its equal
south of New Orleans. 1t is a new, large, imposing
edfce. fronting the Plaza high between floors with
cool and clean bed-chambers. and caisine adapted
to the latitude and luxurious in comparison with
that which prevails in the West Indies or on tho
Spanish Main.
In enjoyment Of the climate, and Of the beauties
Of the town, the old churches and Notifications,
the bay, the suburban gardens, the mountains, one
readily forgets that there is more refined amuse-
ment than the cock-fght, that he has theater no
daily mail. We re-read The Star and Herald Ia very
important paper along this coast, walk on the Bat
terry morning and evening look at the very peak
from which the first explorer stared at the Pacic'
Political affairs quiet. Gen. Correoso's revolu-
ton Of last Summer having placed lis brother,
Senor Azpuro in the Presidency, the simple people
have greater matter in hand than their holiday
and inaugural festivities, and the restoration of tho
grand cathedral-a work well under way. But
there always is restless feeling this little State
of Panama. and desire to effect lasting escape
from the rule and fellowship Of the Colombian Gov
crnment at BOgota. Nor is this without reason.
The Isthmus is of far value to the
Colombian federation than the latter can be to the
Isthmus The transit belongs to foreign world.
with which the Panamanians are in utilization.
1t is the source Of an immense income to the Colum
ban Union, of which this state gets but paltry
share OF the enormous annual subsidy paid by the
Panama Railroad into the treasury at Bogots--
$3.50, O0O gold about one-third of the present net
earnings-only one-tenth goes to the State Of
Panama Again. at this distance from the capital,
the Government of a Spanish-American province is
not likely to be either just wise. In my opinion
the time is not far off when this transit will be dis
turbed by more serious political action than any
recently experienced.
The visitor who now returns to the Isthmus after
an absence of two years is at once struck by the
radical and unpromsing change which has vitality
affected its one great enterprise. The Panama Rail
road certainly is not the lucrative road OF David
Hoadley's time, with thorough organization and
efficient local management. An outspoken discon-
tent prevails here among all classes at the disorder
and decentralization which have overtaken this
pincely work. and bid fair to ruin it if not instantly
corrected. Such is the main topic OF dis
cussion at Aspinwall and Panama. So ex-
tended are the interests Of American investors in
this property that need no excuse for writing Of ID
at some length. A state Of affairs exists which
ho md. dat nrna ia
Persons who are content, 50 long regular diVi-
dends are forthcoming will soon, fear have prao-
teal and unpleasant reasons for learning the condi
ton to which some Of your Wall-st. men have
brought their source of income Ii would be Dis
graceful addition to the woes of the last few years.
Should stock which has been with rare intermls-
sious) foremost among stable investments,
sink to the level Of brokers' football" But this
is precisely what seems to me very close at hand.
A railway across this isthmus, built at heroic
expense of life and treasure though only AZ miles IN
length is under conditions and has business dIder-
ing from any road in the United States other por-
tions of the civilized world. Holding its tenure
upon foreign soil, it is by its charter under moss
rigid obligations to regard local interests. 1t 10
bound not only from policy but by the severess
penalties to deal literally with the natives of this
country develop resources, and nurse business along
the route But again. the main portion of its trafe
depends steamships and other vessels TO and from
every part of the lobe. The Panama Railroad at
present receives freight and travel from SIX portans
steamship lines on the Atlantic side |, the Pacihc
Nail, running two steamers monthly, besides the
Henry Cbauncey, extra, via Kingston; = the Ncss
India and Pacific (LyerpooD, two or three steamers
monthly g. the Royal Mail Southampton, three
steamers monthly; 4, the General Transatlantic
bordeaux, Havre. etc.,; D, the Hamburg and
American Packet; 6, the Atlas tNew-iork); each OK
tho three last-named companies dspatching two
steamers monthly to and from Aspinwall. On the
Pacific side the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
has fortnightly line with san Francisco. and sends
two steamers per month To the various Cen
trail American ports, besides one TO those
of Mexico. The Pacific Steam Navigation
Company has fortnghty communication with VAL
paraiso, and two vessels plying each month along the
intermediate coast. The South American Company
also has fortnightly line. In all, then, in addition
to local traffic and freghts received from sailing
vessels the cargoes and passengers of from 10 TO ID
steamships have to be received at each end Of the
transit every month, taken across and reshipped at
the other. In fact, it may almost be said that tho
freight of o steamer has to DO handled and trans
ported each day, and redstrbuted TO all portions OF
the world. The business Is cosmopolitan ~ regards
language, invoices flags, and general accounts; and
the payment for most of this service is not made
here, but in foreign cities " the companys foreign
agents.
You perceive that this service requires the moss
anX ous CONFERENCE.-The greatest SIKH, hteIisehce'
aud e experience the part OF empioyes-ahd a sys-
tenn derived from practice and thorough IN combina-
ton There can be no doubt that such system dur
ing tho long and wise management between 1860
.J nd To iOh