The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-12-02
GENERAL PRESS REVIEW,
The Resources Of Mexico
New York World,

General O. II. LaGrange, VINO WAS s"'o'-
intendent OF the San Francisco min' i0f
eight wears, is stopping at the St. james
hetel. He spoke enthusiastically last nigh'
of the prospect of developing the resources
os Mexico by building railroads in that
country with American capital In speaking
ola recent trip to Mexico no said /; "The
climate is the most delightful on this hemis-
rhore and has this advantage over southern |
california. that the table lands are protected
from the cold winds of the Pacific by lower
California, which acts as o "breakwater," so
10 sneak. The mountains in Mexico differ
from thosein Npyads in finishing in abrupt
and detached ridges. There is a lack OF tim,
Der, although the mesquite shrub would
probably be amply sufficient for railroad
tics. The soil on the table lands is dry and
affords but poor pasture, but the valleys,
which are naturally irrigated, are
very fertile. They are good for
grain growing II ID o mistake TO
suppos 50 that there is no coal in Mexico.
saw some sampes closely resembling the
anthracite in character at the office OF MIR.
Charles McDermott, ut San Francisco. They
were taken from the Baranca mine, about
ninety miles from Hermosillo, and there Is
every reason to suppose that rich coal mines
are waiting TO be opened by American enter
prise. Little riyulets abound on the noun
tain sides, and when they are not lost IN their
parent slopes, fow into the rivers in the
cenons below or give abundant water for
stock. Northern Sonora and southern Ari
IONA border upon the limits OF the buffalo
range, which has long been regarded as the
great pasturage ground of this continent. |
am told that on this side of this range thou
sands of cattle will die this year because the
plains are ovorstocked. On the Mexican side
there ia plenty of pssurage, and have seen
felds of grass knee deep, which could be cat
with a machine. The experiment wouli
Weld at least one to two tons Of hay to the
acre"
"Will not this natural grazing country he
brought into use by the building Of rail
roads ?"
"Most undoubtedly and when the opening
up of new railroads demonstrate the facility
with which thu seaboards can be reached, rs
well as the interior cities of the west, such
as st. Louis, beef will be shipped to The
latter point direct, rs well as to England
by way of Galveston"
"How about the mines?"
da. The low grade ore is of such differ
eut Formation, that very little encouragement
= has been given to the establishment o
stamp mills. There are great many bsst
metal mines, and although the production o
bullion does not exceed ST. 100000 annually
! believe that the introduction of the eco
nomicAl methods now in use for milling
would increase that amount twenty. fold il
few Yeas with the help of the railroads
"What is the feeling in Mexico with re-
ference TO the prospect of init oducing rail
roads 7"
"The leading men in Mexico ar9 mon 0
intelligence and appreciate their responsible
ity. Many ofthem arc highly educated, aud
was brought in contact with several officials
among VIII III we're the master Of the mint
governor and member of tho house. W.
were at dinner at the Hermossillo ard
sounded them to see If there was not G nativ
prejudice in favor Of English capitalists
They agield in saying that Americ assist
- ance would be more acceptable. Some @
the more intelligent merchants told me tina
IN etfNrt wta making to struggle against th
obstacle of poverty which was supposed I
have been lie tho way heretofor Of inducin
American capital to build railroads, ope
mines and boro artesian wells. They msR
what they Say, and promfe ia good feit
every protection. l believe that an Ameri
can citizen would be safer in Mexico no
than in d sdwood or Tombstone"
"Are any inducements held out TO Unfit
ence American capital?"
swell, ths mining laws, which are base
upon tho old Spanish grants are very libo a
There Is no tax up>n material for mimi
agricultural implements, and, 10 Sonors,nol
on land. The railroad grants distinct
specify that all equipments can be introdr c.
free oftax, | understand that the Guaym
and I'll Paso railroad will be completed
next July ninety miles, and this will be
pretty good preliminary test whether or n
railroads will develop the country. Wi
regard TO Subsidies, the promoters ofallra
road enterprises must bear in mind that thu
original OUTLAWS can only be returned as I
commerce OF the country increases, Gene
Gran. explained this very correctly when
infoimed those gentlemen who listened 10
talk ur Mexico that any railroad buildi
must be considered a commercial and no
political enterprise"
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