The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-16
RAILROADS IN TIE CLOUDS
ONE or THE MEN VINO LED THH
IRON HORSE UP THE ANDES.
An Es-Mayor Of Wiilinmsburgb's Stupendous
UndrrinkinRs In the Rich md Enterprising
Republic Of Peru-A Land Of silver,

An Ex-MRyor Of Wiilin msburgh's Stupendous
UndrrinkinRs In the Rich md Euterprisins
Republic Of Ptru-A Land of silver.
Mr., John Meggs, brother of Henry
Mciggs, the liking Of Peru" IA the millionaire
contractor Is called In South America. Is lodging
in the Clarendon Hotel. lie Is a tail, large man,
past middle age, aud with a oloar penetrating
nazel eye. He has an important share In tho
management Of his brothers aGairs. "Peru."
he said. ia richer in the precious metals than
any other country in the world. Our engineers
In building the railroad from the coast to Puno
bave come across hundred silver mines any
one Of which might be probably worked, II in
the United States. II these mines are worked,
the railronds we have built will be a blessing TO
Reporter what is the cause OF the existing
financial trOublrsi
Mr. Meigps Ihe contract for guano held by
Dreyfus Go Of Paris, runs out In q toDer, aud
another contract has not vet been made. The
contiato who takes the guano must paw he IN
terest on the ex ernal deOt. Peru has never boz
fore defaultcd IN y vment ~ Interest, an mons
Of her creditors need fear that they wi ioss
ANYTHING. New discoveries of guanO are ing
made, and 1t Il estimated that there are about
ten millions Of tons remaining, worth about 10
lOs sterling per ton. net. 1he annual con sump-
ton Is about 10000 tons, so that Peru Is sure Of
an ample Income from guanO for u quarter 81 a
century Taxes are yer> low, real estate being
almost entirely free from taxation.
PardO's administrations
he could to curtail expenses and u better tho
condition Of tie country. lie has been very
successful. There have been few internal tTOu-
hles during his Presidency and those have been
promptly suppressed.
Repoltcr-lllc ". supposed to be uufricndly
TO Mr. Henry Meiggsf
Mr.. Melggs-No. We have got along pleasant
y with hun, "a we have with every admiuistra-
ton. We do not interfere In politics, but attend
10 our own business. The Government engages
us to perform certain contacts we perform
them, and get our pay
Rrportcr-Ilow do Americans get along In
Pcruf
Mr.. MeirRa-Thosc who are steady and enter
pfising get along well. those VINO become de-
m grdized and fall In loose habits sink. Hut
do not know that there are any Amc lean
paupers IN Peru. We receive perhaps u hundred
letters every day from persons In the United
states who are anxious to 10 to Peru aud DO
employed ~ hr. Mel sgs. When We need men
we select from the applicants, and send for
them.
leporter-Are the natives OF Peru useful as
MIR. Meiges-Thsre are two classes in Peru
the pute-DlOoJed descendants OF the uid SPAN
lards, and the mixed blOOds, ruy spaniard,
partly Indian, and III some cases partly negro.
Iho former are a high minde J, energetic people.
he lat er are inferior, nut make good uorers,
steut, or pecewurk.
Reporter-I understand that there are mar
vels of engineering on some Of your rnilrondsY
MIR. Meiggs Yes. one Of our roads ,r sse,
the mountains at 100 feet above the level OK
the sea. some OF the BRIDGE, too, very
lofty, aud huilt with skill That would do credit
t. any p.rt of the world.
Reporter Your brother Is sud to be worth
several a. illinns Of dollarsY
Mr.. Mriggs-M hateyer he obtained In Peru he
has fullN earned, and whatever ne owed nero
or elsewhere tie has paid. lie has not been 9
seeker Tor contracts. On the contrary, he has
rejected cont cts that tie u Government wished
hiu to take.
Eeportrr-lt Is said that there was much n,ht-
ing ana slaughter at tue recent tl rctinu IN Idmai
Nr. Mti-s, b ne rtpor,s are greatly exagger-
a'cd. There was some shooting, ana several
persons were Killed. The Iersons VINO died
Ncre killed after persuud challenges, and not
IN ofEnniIrd or desultory COM ats. There ara
troubles there ia elections suinetinic as there
are htr..
Notwithstanding his long residence In spanish
America, Mr.. Meisgs stu speaks Engltsn with
nutnCy.