Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-11
MExuCO,s PROspERtTy.
What the Railroads arc Doing for our
Sister ReDublfc

/
The State department will publish in few
days tie annual eport Of Consul General Strot-
her OF Mexico. In he says in substance; "The
close OF the year 1882 finds the Mexican re-
public In the enjoyment of continued peace
and degree Of national prosperity hereto
fore unknown in her history The extensive
system OF railroad communication which will
connect her capital city with those of all tie
different States Of the Union, the PRINCIPAL
seaport Of the Pacific ocean and the gulf
and the whole at several different points with
the railroad system of the United States, il
advancing rapidly 10 completion. The sue
cessfu Initiation OF these important enter.
pilsc' has given stimulus to all branches of
INDUSTRY, to the government and to society,
the result Of which it would be difficult to
estimate. Mining, which has hitherto leen
inc chlei productive industry of the country,
IS now increasing 10 an extraordinary
degree, both In extent and variety.
while the old established works
| generally OF silver ard gold, are IN.
PRODUCING new methods and machinery.
ana actively developing their capac.
tiles for production. We hear of the disrov.
cry OF new veins, the icopening of old and
abandoned mines, the discovery of lion, coal
and petroleum, and all the elements of ma
ttrlhl wealth, with rap dlly that battles sta
tistlcs. The Stimulus given to the agricultu.
raj interest has been equally notable. The
| culture of the ccrcals-COru, wheat and bar
lcy-has been greatly increased as has been
| likewise the planting of sugar cane cotton.
| tobacco and cpilcc. In those districts adam
ted 10 their culture companies have been
formed and charters grautcd by the govern
lment to promote the cultivation of the
Magucy hemp and other OF the valuable tex
Tile plants which flourish peculiarly in MeXi-
can soil. The government is also actively
eNering itself t. extend the cultivation of the
vine, the olive and the silk mulberry. intro.
ducins large quantities of those plants from
Europe aud elsewhere, and distributing them
among the most intelligent native planters.
and Italian, French, Swiss and German col
onisls now locating in different sections of
the republic The increased demand for
American agricultural implements and ma
chuery is the natural result Of the re-
viva IN agriculture throughout the couu
try. With new seeds and plants, i'm.
proved methods and machinery, steps are
also being taken TO Introduce better breeds
oil cattle, horses, sheep and poultry
from all parts OF the world where they may
be obtained. The government is also ,spc.
cialy solicitous and liberal in its efforts toes
lablish AMI cherish home manufactures OF all
MINIS, anu tue laclillleS oil transportation at.
iofdcd Oy the new railroad lines and new
lines Of steamships recently statc, hayo
Sieally encouraged the investment of Gomes-
Tic aud foreign capital in new manufacturing
enterprises a number of patents have a..
ready been granted by the government to
American CITIZENS Tor new machines ahd I'M
proved methods for making avail able tie
numerous and varied natural prDIu of the
sol and climate, which have hitherto grown
useless and neglected for lack of knowle ige
and scientific methods for their treatment. In
brief, there ia NJ branch Of the natural
wealth OF this country which is not at this
period attracting more or lss interest and
practical attention. Il m,y be noted, how
ever, that cotton aud wooleu factories, which
are the most numerous and important mana.
featuring establishments in the country. are
Yet obliged 10 import from foreign countries
the greater portion OF tine raw mater
ial used. As a significant illustration
Oh inc present drift OF public senti-
ihen' was told by an extensive.
dealer in American grna and agricultural
Implements that, while formerly he sold
500 worth of warlike arms and ammuni.
ton to $40 of agricultural tools, the prIpor-
| tons were now reversed; and long before. a
certain local notoriety Of ,ae mountain dis
trlcts, who had acquired u formidable repu-
tation as an Independent guerilla leader ia
| past wars, and As frank hshwayman 10
The intervals OF peace. had made a descent
upon the city unarmed ami unattended. and
purchased two ploughs, An examination of
the custom house returns, from both coasts
aud recent railroad reports, will show that
both the internal ani external commerce Is
Mexico is developing re,pcns ely aul liz
Due proportions 10 lis industrial activity. To
provide Tor the requirements Of this incroll
ed commercial activity. notable change is
taking place in the currency \ number Of
banks have been chartered In the CAPITAL
which are locating their branches in the sea
ports and different commercial centres issu.
ing notes of denominations from : to $1,000.
watch paper currency is rapidly supp'antin,
the time honored, bu, cumbersome and en-,
blrras3lns silver DO "a.