The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-10-28
TExAs AND MEXICO.

An official copy of the railway
concession made by the Mexican
government TO the Palmer-Sullivan
party has been received. and a con-
struetiOn company has already been
formed at Denver to work the line:
Tire contract Is for the construc-
ton in eight wears of thirteen hun
drcd miles of narrow gauge rail-
road. with a telegraph. from the
City of Mexico to the frontier OF the
United States. and TO the Pacific
ocean. In consideration of money
subsidy averaging $4,000 per mile.
the total subsidy payable in railroad
construction certificates TO be issued
on the completion of the first 80
miles. and thereafter as each IL
miles are built. 1t amounts to up
wards of S14.000.000 absolute bonus.
The payment is assured BY a pro-
vision. applicable to all custom
houses. maritime and frontier, that
no payments shall be made in coin
or otherwise than i'll these railroad
construction certificates of 81 in
every 800 of duties due, under a
penalty of second payment. The
obligation Of the government is linn
tied 10 I per cent. of the import du-
ties in any year. The certificates
can be bought only of the company.
which is compelled to keep agencies
for their sale, and is prohibited from
eXacting more than par for them.
The government binds itself for the
whole contract period of ninety-nine
years not to grant any subsidy to
parallel roads within sixty-five miles
on either side, and permits the com
pany to accept additional subsidies
from state governments.
1t eXempts for fifty years after the
road is completed from national or
municipal duties or taxes all mate
rial for the construction, operation
or maintenance, excepting only
stamp dues. 1t requires mails and
messengers to be carried free, and
that federal troops and immigrants
arriving under government assign
ment to be carried 60 per cent. less
than the regular tariff. 1t stipulates
that the tariff shall not, without the
company's consent, be changed for
ninety-nine years. 1t classifies the
passenger tariffs as follows: First
class, 6-10 cents; second class, 81
cents: third class, l 1-16 cents per
mile. Merchandise, first class, 81
cents per ton; second class, 9-10
cents per ton; third class, 81 cents
per ton per mile.
A right of way of two hundred
feet viii be granted through all pub
lie lands and the use oftimber, stone,
water, ETC., thereon, free. The right
of condemnation of private lands
will be under the same regulations
rs the government taking private
property for public service. Yes
sells laden with railway or telegraph
supplies will be exempted from all
dues, for fifteen years after The lines
are completed except pilotage. Pas
sengers, mails and merchandise will
be exempted for twenty-five years
after the completion of the road
from all dues except transit duty,
not exceeding 81 per passenger or
per top.
The International line must be
completed from the City of Mexico
to the Texas border at Laredo or
some point between Laredo and Ea-
gle Pass within eight years. The Pa
cific line must be completed to Man
Zanillo or any point between that
and Novidad within five years. Two
hundred and seventy-seven miles
divided in any desired proportion
between the two miles must be COM
pleted every two years. but there is
a prohibition against beginning the
construction at the United States
frontier until the completion of the
last division is announced. The
company expects to finish the Inter
line to the Rio Grande,
under eight hundred miles to effect
communication with the
railway system of the United States
within three years.
The first section of the line is al
ready accepted. and one thousand
men and five thousand tons of steel
rails have been ordered for the
work. The company has one of its
officers at Colorado Springs and one
at the City of Mexico. The princi-
pal office will be in New York. Its
of four million dollars,
made up last summer by General
Palmer upon condition of securing
the grant, will now be called up by
the Union Construction Company
by instalments as required to do the
work.