The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-26
Railroad Contracting in Mexico.

this city and county at one time had in |
view the project Of building railroad
10 Mexico, and as the subject has been
recently revived, though not the same
project, it may be interesting to give some
of the prominent features concerning the
contract alleged to have been lately made
between the Mexican government and
Messrs. Palmer, Sullivan Il Co., Of New
York. The World gives the following from
its correspondent at the City of Mexico.
Messrs. Palmer, Sullivan & Co. are
authorized to construct a railway and
telegraph line from the city of Mexico to
the Pacific ocean and to the Rio Grande;
the respective routes and termini Of the
two branches to be selected after the sur
veYs snail have been made. Surveys will
be commenced Immediately, but before
commencing work the plans and pro6les
must be approved By the department of
public works. Within four months from
the time security is furnished $50 kilome-
tres shall have been surveyed aud the
plans presented to the department Of
public works. and all surveys to be com
pleted within three years. Work shall
commence as soon as the plans for the
first Kilometres shall have been approved
and the first section shall be completed
within eighteen months from its CON-
mencement; after which at least $50 kilO-
metres shall be completed every year.
Work shall be commenced on the Pacific
coast so soon as the terminus shall be
selected. The line to the Rio Grande
cannot be commenced until that to the
Pacific shall have been concluded Both
lines saall be finished within eight years
from the commencement of the work; if
they are concluded in seven years the
government will pay the company bonus
Of 100000; if in six years 100000, if in
FIVE years 100000 for each line; and If
both should be completed in four years
the bonus shall be 100000 for each. The
guAge shall be three feet, the company
having the privilege to lay double track
should it be considered necessary. The
rights aud privileges conceded to VIM. j.
Palmer, James Sullivan Il Co. will be
extended to the company or companies
they may organize. The Union Con
tract Company (which it appears is the
name of the company to be organized by
Messrs. Palmer Il Sullivan, the companies
it may organize, as well as all the persons
who may be connected with the road, vii
be considered as possessing the Mexican
nationality, and having no right to foreign
protection. The company will prove within
three months from the filing and acceptance
Of the bond that at least the sum of 81,
100000 has been subscribed and 10 pc
cent of the amount paid up. The subscrip
ton books shall be opened in this city at tn
same time that they are opened abroad, bu
no subscriptions shall be received before th
amounts referred to above shall have bee
subscribed and paid up by the charter mem
bers.
The Status of the Company
accompanies to be organized shall be subjeC
to the approval of the Minister of Publ
Works and each company shall have il
principal Office in this capital; after tn
conclusion of the Pacific branch the com
panies shall have, their boards of director
in this city, twO-6fths of the members (
which shall be appointed by the Executive
All questions between the government an
the company will be decided by the FEEDER
courts. The capital of the enterpril
will be fixed after the surveys and est
mates shall have been made. In case th
company shall forfeit its concession, it vi
still hold its property and the sections
railway or telegraph that may be col
structed, and also retain its right to Il
subvention due for the work completes
The company will have the right to NAL
connection with or include any other raj
road already constructed, or to be Col
structed in the republic Neither the roi
nor its bonds can ever be hypothetical
foreign government. The governme
will pay the company out of the gener
treasury subvention of $1,000 for eat
kilometre approved by the department
public works, but which will not be dup
Gated in case double track should be lai
The first payment Of this subYention W
not be made until the company shall ha
constructed aud commenced to run u
kilometres of the line after which Il
subvention for each twenty kilometres W
be paid. The property of the compal
shall be exempt from the payment Of I
duties, taxes or contributions except &
stamp tax The employees of the con
pany will be exempt from military serviC
The company will be held responsible
the liabilities of sub.contractors, T.
first line of steamers connecting with t
railroad on the Pacific, as well as vesst
bringing material to Vera Cruz for L
road, will be exempt from all port dutit
No imposts nor contributions will be levi
for the term Of five years on passengers
goods passing over the road through Me-
can territory. The company will not
held responsible for noncompliance wi
its obligations when prevented by fuer
mayor, or superior force" The compa
cannot transport troops of foreign &C
eminent without due permission FRI
Mexico, nor can it transport munitiC
belonging to hostile power or contraba
Of war. Within six months from [
PRONUNCIATION of this law the company '