Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-29
MEXICAN METHODS.
Telegraph Line Destroyed TO Stop
the News.


ports have been meager regarding the
Morelas accident. The telegraph was
destroyed by the managers for the
purpose of suppressing the details.
The official announcement of the
killed was one hundred and ninety
two soldiers and thirteen officers; of
the wounded, twenty eight. Later
reports, as expected, somewhat in
crease the number. Heavy rains
fell Thursday, with hail Thursday
night. BY order of the Secretary of
War the Third battalion of soldiers
took the train from Cuantly to come
to the City of Mexico. The road had
been inaugurated week before by
President Gonzales, and the Third
battalion was one Of the regimen IS
taking part in the Inauguration.
The train passed Haissand two
miles beyond where the bridge was
washed away. The train at full
speed plunged into the chasm. The
engineer and fireman were killed in
stantly. A large cargo of whisky aud
alcohol which was aboard caught fire.
The car containing the ID officers fell
beneath the blazing spirits and was
burned with its contents. The car
containing the soldiers was partly
burned. A heavy food was rushing
through the chasm, and many were
drowned and others burned beyond
recognition. The night was dark and
misty, and no help could be obtained.
The news was one day in reaching the
City of Mexico, 80 miles off.
President Gonzales has ordered a
commission to investigate the matter
Immediately, though nothing can come
OF the investigation. The government
is somewhat interested in the road.
Great sorrow is prevalent in the city.
Concession for the Morelas road was
given to Del6n Sanchez, Mexican
contractor, from Mexico to Cirantala
with a subsidy of $4,000 per kilo-
meter. The line is narrow gauge
and was built entirely with this one
subvention, and had no other financial
backing. 1t was built by Mexican
engineers, and was a first attempt at
railroading. The road was cheaply
and hurriedly constructed, and an ac-
cident was prophesied by competent
engineers Public opinion blames
Manager Sanchez, who has left the
city. The train conductors defense
is that there were no trackmen to
warn him Of danger. 1t was the in
tentiOn OF the promoter to extend the
line to the Pacific at Zely, by means
ofa government subsidy. The Lunes,
the only city paper without govern
ment subsidy, attacks the government
and the administration. 1t says some
one is to blame, and assails Diaz and
calls Sanchez to account.
The Diario, the official government
organ, considers the accident beyond
human foresight. The road has SO far
cost the government $4,000 in sub
sides, and 60 miles have been built.
Pacheco to-day becomes Minister of
Public Works, vice Diaz, and Fer
uandez assumes Pacheco's position as
Governor of the District. The
changes are significant Pacheco and
Fernandez are reported to be inter
ested in the road and will oversee
the investigation. 1t is alleged that
the government gave the Morelo
road $4,000 to reach Cuantala before
July. 1t appears that the road was
condemned by the public Inspector
on the day of its Inauguration. There
is general indignation and the papers
demand that the blame be fixed on
him. A dispatch received to-day re-
ports that Governor Guerrero is miss
ing. 1t is not known if he was on the
train. Over one hundred bodies have
been recovered in a charred and mutt
lated condition. The wounded are in
H. L.;lI Al.Cn d. "a nun4.l