The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-09-03
SPAINS 0REA TEST ENGINEER.
his Work on the Harber Of vies-Ch aptsrs
from . Weli-spent Life.

TUY ION the Minho) Aug. IL, 1882.--Tuy is
becoming one OF the great links OF communica-
ton between the port of Vigo. on the one hand
and Orense and Madrid to tho east. and Oporto
and Lisbon to the south. They are pushing on
the railroad beyond Orense. which will DO the
great commercial highway between the west
ern coast Of Spain and her interior provinces
OF the line connecting vigo with Portugal moth
ing remains to DO finished but q fow miles near
Tuy. and the great railroad bridge between that
city and VALENCIA. Both Of these portions are
now pushed forward actively and will be open
for travel within the next twelve months.
The inhabitants OF all northern Portugal are
looking forward to the completion Of these
great works. and to those contemplated by the
Spanish Government In vigo harbor. with the
livelest interest. Already there Is question OF
shipping the Porto wines from Vigo. instead OF
mourning the risks and delays attendant on
the uncertainties OF the bar Of the Douro out
side Of Oporto. The completion Of the railroad
bridge between Tuy and valenca would thus DO
a great boon to Oporto merchants.
The mission Of Don Melton Martin to vigo.
and his photographed survey Of tho old
and now harbors. have created the liveliest in
terest throughout all Galicia and northern
Portugal. Even the farmers. far and wide. I'M
derstand that with revival Of agriculture. in
anu COHluloICo. tnoiI iutooIhDio Dui-
dens would be lightened. their farm produce
increased four or five fold. and their sons and
daughters. instead OF being forced to emigrate
to South America, would find profitable oocu-
patton at home. In Vigo itself moneyed men.
who knew not what to do with their capital. and
made 1t one OF tho chief arts OF life to conceal
their riches and their revenues from Govern
ment inspectors. have been electrified by
the tidings OF Don Melton Martins mission.
The English Consul, Mr.. Barcena. one OF the
most wealthy Intelligent. and enterprising
men in oil Galicia. is already building blocks
Of magnificent granite houses. which would
be an ornament to any city. and which may
now serve as o model and nucleus to the new
city which Is sure to spring up beneath the
shadow OF the ancient Notifications high up on
the hilltop above us. The new harbor will ex-
tend to the south of the promontory to whose
abrupt sides old vigo is cinGing 1t will cover
with its piers and wharves its storehouses and
streets. a vast semicrcle Of gently sloping
beach, we'll protected from the storms and the
swell Of the Atlantic. twenty miles to the west
and south.
Whatever change for the better the opening
OF these great lines of communication and
traffic. and the creation Of tirst-class COM
mercial seaport on the Bay of vigo. may effect
for all SPAIN for Galicia and the north Of
Portugal in particular will be due to the mi
tative the far seeing sagacity. and the indom-
table energy OF Don Melton Martin.
Melton Martin was born at Segovla. In old
Castle in 1920. He is consequently in his ed
year. He is tall. rs straight as an arrow. his
naturally fair complexion Drowned by constant
exposure to all kinds of weather; and his
health not little impaired by this continual
exposure and the hardships attendant on the
immense engineering labors planned By
him and carried out under his direc-
ton in the face OF incredible difficulties.
10 look at that erect and proud figure. at the
step. as light and elastic rs that OF youth OF
fire and intelligence. you feol that this man
must have much work in him yet. and many
kim again .S and again and for hours POURING
forth the treasures of mind full Of original
ideas and stored with all the varied knowledge
you his views of social institutions. their
needs and their dangers: his judgment on mon
of all classes. from Emperors and Kings to
manufacturers. miners. and peasanats;Iyou
would wish he could live forever; you feel that
you are listening to one who Is III to adorn ana
of the most learned and the enlightener OF the
His father her; wasa loading mo nber of the Span
ish Cnrtos in the reign OF Ferdinand VII, and.
liz .,s son one whom no fear could deter itr
t r"mSc lon u IN the Senate hall or turn
aside from the periSrmance OF the public
d;ss by thss1 M ba an
aseous statesMnE condemned to death for his
opinions or his acts. In 1922. when French
army under the Duke d Anyoulome. entered
spain and marched on Madrid, to compel the
Spiniards to accept as law the VIII OF ferdl-
Marlin n" senior mi had 10 iy to Seville with the
members of the refractory Cortes. His property
was con!iscated. his house seized, his precious
h" ok I' plate melted t" coin money to pay
the invaders. Nine. Martin with her young
children was mt first allowed the protection OF
her own roof, although she thus beheld It
desecrated and piliaged. One day French
officer with guard oil soldiers presented HIM
Tho outer doors were locked and barred, but
these were soon forced. and the assailants
assembled the stairway leading to the rooms
where the deienccless young mother was wait
ing with her babes the issue OF this new trial.
The spirit which animated the Maid Of Sara
army OF 100000 men. was throbbing in the
bosom of the, heroic young lady, The French
door with the hilt OF his sword when, it opened.
and the mistress Of the house, with flashing
and this pnseemly intrusion. He had not half
finished his answer when he felt himself i'm
pelled. as If shot from catnpuit. down the
to the bottom, where his men picked him up.
sword and all. and carried him back to those
Presently came "A summons, from the Gen
era commanding. and Nine. Martin perforce
had to present herself at headquarters, She,
story that the old soldiers heart was moved by
the tae and she was dismissed with the as
surunce that she had don" but her duty. Her
home. nevertheless was no longer II protection
for her. and accompanied by one OF those old
and faithful servants whose devotion may he
trusted TO tho uttcrmost. the brave lady fled
with her children into the wids of the Guadar-
rama Mountains. There. hiding in n shep-
herds hut provided for by her devoted old SER
want she remained for some time. till provi-
dental chance enabled her to reach Andalusia.
But already the French army WAS in pursuit of
the refractory CorteS. which. in self defence.
had TO transfer its sessions TO Nadl, whence. in
1923 after the victory OF the Trocadero Canal.
the Senators had to take refuge in Gibraltar
In Seville MEANWHILE Nine. Martin had TO
encounter new and more terrible dangers. The
fanatica leaders of the spanish party Tor whom
the Duke d'Angouleme was lighting, unable to
reach tho rcbellious Cortcs. which fled before
the advance OF tho French troops. Sc aed upon
the families Of the obnoxious membcrs, col
lected and imprisoned thom in the Seville am
phitheatrc for bull fights. and sent word TO tho
Cortes in Cadlz that. unless the members at
once submitted. their families should be mas
sacred. 1t was no tdle throat The amphithe-
atre was surrounded by troops battery OF
artillery was planted in tho bull ring tho
wretched women and children were compelled.
at the point of tho bayonet, to mass themselves
together in the centre. and the cannoneers
with lighted matches. stood by their loaded
pieces. awaiting the answer from Cadiz. But