The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-01
Notes from Washington.
Railway Communication with Mexico
Sketches of Roads Under Construction
Concerning Tariff Reform-Svestward
Cenventis ms Take Their Way.
Il Correspondence Of the Press.)

Special Corresp ondence of the Press.)
WASHINGTON. Feb. %.
Information received here indicates that
Washington, New York, and the whole coun-
try in fact will within thirty days be in direct
and quick communication with the City of
Mexico. Two railroads which have been
building within the past two years are to be
completed, it is said, by the end OF the present
month The Mexican National Railroad Com
pany, whose line runs from Laredo at the
Texas border to the City of Mexico, and
the Mexican Central Company. which is build
ing from point opposite El Paso. Texas, to
the City of Mexico, have promised to have
their line completed and trains running by
the dats mentioned. Few people realize the
fact that over two thousand miles of railway
have been actually built in Mexico by Ameri.
can capital within the last two years. The
Mexican Central Company's line has over one
thousand miles compile tad, aud the Mexican
National has seven hundred more. Hunting.
tone line, the Mexican International, which
runs from Eagle Pass, Texas, southwesterly to
the City OF Mexico, has been completed for
distance of one hundred and fifty miles. The
Sonora rail way, which runs from Benson on
the Southern Pacific road to Guaymas, on the
Gulf OF California, has been Com peted dis
tance OF two hondred aud seventy miles. On
General Grants road, the Mexican Southern,
about one hundred miles have been completed
ready for the rails. Senator Windows, the
Texas, Topoiobampo & Pacific road, which il
to cross Northern Mexico from Topolobampo
on the Gulf of California to Eagle Pass, Texas,
seven hundred and fifty miles, has not yet
been begun.
Central, which two companies are now strug-
CLING for the honor of opening the direct COM
muuication with the City of Mexico are couu-
ted the most important, for the present at
least. of these enterprises. The Mexican Ma
tioual is a narrow gauge road aud will be WHEN
completed S55 miles in length from Laredo to
the City of Mexico. 1t passes through a dozep
towns whose population ranges from 35 900 TO
lot, ,O0O lJ climbs the grade from Laredo
south nearly 200 miles until il reaches the high
tsbe-ands Ut ar Saltillo, after which its entire
route is upon the elevated plateaus. Work on
this road was begun at each end and pushed
toward the centre and now the two construct
ion parties are within less than 100 miles OF
each other. The Mexican Central which runs
from point opposite Ell Paso, Texas, to the
City of Mexico, has standard gauge road and
will be when completed, next month, 1214
miles In length. This is beiug also built from
both ends and has less than 100 miles yet to
complete to close the gap. The population of
the ities through which it passes is set down
$500 900 aud the agricultural products per an
num nearly Sl00,000,000. With these lines
completed 1t is estimated that New York city
will be between four aud five days ride from
the City OF Mexico and other points proper
tionately nearer as their location and railroad
facilities bring them.
TARIFF REFORM.
The almost unanimous action of the New
Jersey Legislature in opposition to tariff legis-
islation aud reduction by this Congress, and
the same action by manufacturers and busi-
ness men of other cities North and South,
somewhat dsturLs the advocates of tariff re-
form, while on the other Land it ebtbuses the
protection wing of the Democracy. Mr.. Ram
dall's followers "point with pride" especially
to the New Jersey resolutions and say uDhesi-
tatiDgly that the Democracy must make up its
mind to turn that State over TO the 2epubli-
cans in case tariff reform is made Ia plank in
the platform this year and they say that il will
be the Case In many other States. In the South,
they predict that tue Republicans will il Mr..
Morrison has his way III regard to the tariff
carry Louisiana and North Carolina and per-
haps South Carolina.
PHIL THOMPSON.
Information reaches here from Kentucky,
that Phil Thompson's personal enemies are
making dead set fight against him in his dis.
trict. Whatever may have been the facts ia
the unfortunate affair of last summer, there
are many in his district, especially among the
friends of his victim who do not forget or for
give aud they are making determined effort
to prevent his return to Congress- The fight
against him is said to be Very vigorous and
most of those familiar with the situation say
his chances are very slender.
Thompson evidently leels keenly the result
of the tragedy for he has seldom been on his
feet in the House this session. He rs alwa,
there, his boy ish face and neatly dressed fig
ure appearing regularly there at his seat or on
the sofas in the rear of the desks, but he sell
dom takes p,rt in debate though watching
with bic usual care the proceedings of the
House, as the days pass.
CONVENTION CHAT.
The location OF two national conventions in
one city for the year 1884 has developed some
interesting facts in regard to locations OF con-
ventions. 1t is thirty-two years since both
nominating conventions of one year were held
in the same city. The Democrats nominated
Pierce in Baltimore in 1852, and the Wings
nominated Scott in the same city. In 1s40
Polk and Clay were both nominated in Bslti-
more. For more than quarter of a century
there has been dispo itiuu to go West. and
siuce the Democrats started the fashion Nv go-
ing tb Cinenu ii and nominate Bucba1ana
majority of The conventions have been hald In
the West. Out of seventeen conveutiona sinc..
1850, counting the two Of his year Chicago
has had six, Cincinnati thrse, b fillmore thres.
Phlladelphia Two and New York, Charleston
and st, Louis one each,