The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-11-07
RAILROADS TO MEXICO


leo is attracting no little attention in this
country nov. Several companies are striy-
ine for concessions from tho Mexican gov
ernment, embracing right of way, immuni-
ties, privileges and subsidies, and some OF
them seen to be in n fair way of success.
In fact, One company has entered into con-
tract villa the Mexican government, whereof
il undertakes to build in the course Of le"
years series of narrow gauge roads through
the republic, connecting tho Pacific ocean
with the railroad system of Texas, and tor
which it is to recey most valuable consider
alton, 7alua5 le enough indeed to defray the
expense; of this enterprise. All this Is to the
advantage of Texas, for whatever railroads are
built into Mexico must also so through
Texas, a1d they will put our great state in
direct communication, commercially, with
the noiglboring republic. The International
g. Great Northern and Houston Il Ssh Ar
tonic railroads are both heading for the Rio
Grande and have engineers in the field sur
yeying the best routes west of San Antonio.
Both these roads hope for right
of way and other advantages
from the Mexican government, with the view
of continuing their lines on into the interior
Of the country, if not entirely across it.
Guaymss, in the state of Sonora, Mexico, on
the Gulf of California and Mszatlan, in the
state Of Sinaloa, on the Pacific coast, are both
sesports that, with railroad connection with
tho system of Texas, and through their
connections with the entire railroad
system Of the United States, can be
made ~ important as any on the Pacihc
slope. With two trunk lines of.road running
from the Rio Grand', across Mexico to these
two points, having branches rndiating out
into the country no-,h and south of them,
will not only develop Mexico and awaken
the numbering resources of that wonderful
land, but they will be to Texas great high.
ways OF wealth along which will course
ceaselols A)w OF commerce TO aid in our own
progress and development, 1t ia but just to
General Grant to say that no sees the beno-
fits to result to our country from railroad con
neotion with Mexico, aud the cultivation Of
friendly and commercial relations with that
power and seeing, that no is interesting him
self to this end, and bringing his great inau-
ence to bear to bring about tho accomplish
ment of such purpose. There can be no
question but that the American
congress will, If not during the COM
ing session, at the next which
meets on the 4th of March, 1881, take steps
looking toward closer and more ample com.
mercial rola ions.with Mexico than have ex
listed heretofore in so far rs treaties are con-
cerned The encouragement OF commercial
amity and warmer feeling of national
friendship is not only engaging tho attention
of the mercantile classes of our country, bu.
of our government rs we'll. Mexico is COM
pSrlively terra incognita to our people, and
the marvellous capabilities OF that country
arc but little more than conjecture 1t has
an area of 760000 square miles, the greater
portion of the country being Il mountain
plateau four thousand to eight
thousaud feet in altitude and en-
bracing what is known "a
the temperate region. Ga each side Of this
temperate region Is q bolt of l0wlaols vary
ing in wild h from few miles to one hun
drod niles. The climate Of these lowlauds
is very hot, and the productions Of tho soil
are sugar cane coffee, indigo and tropical
fruit.. The table lands embraced in tho tem.
perate region produces wheat, corn, olives,
and other grain and fruits Of the temperate
zone. The climate Is that of perpetual
spring, md q healthier country is not to be
found on The globe. There are wide prairie
reaches: 90, similar to those of Illinois and
Texas On which great herds of horses, cat
tie, sheep and goats feed and
thrive While the people of that coun,
try aye civilized, they are lamantably
behiud tho ago in progress and enlighten-
ment, and in cons 9quenco every branch of
INDUSTRY Is NJ u lOW tuus halilOdus anu NlltlI
energizing developing influences, will mako
the Mcxicans a new people; will burst asuR-
der the mapacles that lethsrgy aad an cilete
civilization have forged; will carry a brighter
day to that country than ever it has known
since Cortez with ais freobooters raz the
temples and affairs of the Az'ecs, aud do
bauohad q people shat ut least were happy
and progressive enough for their generation
The chief exports of Mexico arc gold silver
lead, vanilla, sstsapatilla, cotfeo,sugar cotton
oochiaeal, lumber, jalapine and tropical
fruits. Every one of these imports, save SUI
gar and cotton and possibly lead, are Of in
finite value to us. While Mexico has it
table lands and lowands exceedingly fertile
II has also two mountain ranges, and in thu
bowels of these mountains there is miner
al wealth, gold and silver, fabulous in guam.
dty, that needs only the forces of industr.
and Of enterprise to exhume II from its silen
resting place, where for centuries and cen
turies II has been boarded BY the bountifu