Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-05-31
CORRESPONDENCE
CHANGE CONCERNING LAREDO.

To the MINING JOURNAL.
The subject is so prolific that in 50 lin
tied an article it is difficult to select at
what pointto begin to unravel its tang
led skein, formed as it is from such an
infinite number and variety Of happen
ings. Still it contains few if any ex-
psriences that could not be recounted
of other places on the Rio Grande, ex-
periences that are peculiar to points
contiguous to and peopled by citizens
of two such widely different powers as
those Of the United States and Mexico.
The Government Of the one all, or
nearly all men can wish, instilling the
principles contained in its constitution
into the minds Of its people through
every available channel, teaching
them what is .tSeedens, in the widest,
and most far reaching construction
possible to apply to that grand, ex-
hilarating word, and by its example
teaching the world lesson it is very
willing to learn; the other-but what
shall say Of Mexico's rulers and their
manner Of dispensing the affairs of
the natione These things have been
widely discussed Of late and the bitter
ness with which her people speak is
sufficient evidence that although nom
inallya republic the country is govern
cd by few whose principal object is
their own elevation even though in at
tanning it, those who support them are
sunk deep in the mud that misrule has
caused to accumulate over the face Of
Mexico. Certainly those who have
been subject to such different con-
ditions as these two governments nee
essarily impose must entertain vastly
different ideas and feelings. in eouse-
quence Of which fact the transforma-
ton OF Laredo from what it was few
years ago to what it is now and ls des-
tined to become, has been almost i'm
pereeptible. At the time Of which I
will start first the town was scarcely
worthy Of being called such, only
few houses huddled together az if land
l guess it wss) for protection, around
the old church, that was more properly
speaking, a fort, and that was removed
to make room for the roomy, we'll
proportioned cathedral then it was
''holy terror" All the Mexican cut
threats were here from the other side
and tho Americans Of that ilk were
here too SO as to be able to skip at short
notice. That was the time the State
Rangers did invaluable service.
Coming in the evening they would, ere
the folks were aware, be out in squads
OF ten ten or twelve, they would pene-
trate to the most secret places where
thieves and murderers most did con-
gregate,' and when they had made
clean sweep of all they wanted
they'd take them away, and those who
gave mo the information say they'd
never be heard Of again. Then the
few Americans had to take all they
got (seme Of 'em kept part of it too, as
is evidenced by their present pros
perity) and say nothing, but as time
rolled on the better class of Mexicans,
those who held the reins and run the
machine to suit themselves, combined
with the Americans to make the place
more desirable as residence and from
that time the improvement has been
rapid, both as regards social and
moral status and the appearance Of
the city. The coming in Of the rail
roads was the signal for gigantic steps
forward, as at this time nearly all Of
the fine buildings were erected that
now serve to beauty our city az we'll
as to provide pleasant homes and
stores and Offices for the occupancy OF
those who transact the business conse-
qusnt advent OF the new enterprise.
Churches were built and supplied with
ministers by missionary societies in
the north and recently the erection OF
the finest market house in the State
Gust think Of it,, the graveling and
grading Of tbs streets, the laying ont
Of the grounds around the fine court
house and Of those on Jarvis Plaza.
the splendid system OF water works,
the new telephone exchange by which
We obtain communication with our
sister city, and that now has sixty
odd Instruments in use, the public
schools, supplied with efficient teach,
ers, the parties and balls Of frequent oc-
currsnce, the many handsome. ele-
gantly dressed ladies who are seen on
the streets, oh l could keep on enum-
Grating until you and | were both
tired (are you tired now p the new
that has displaced the old with so much
that ia beneficial to our people, changes
that are scarcely noticed by us except
in an article like this or when some
stranger visitor reminds us that our
city possesses these attractive features.
OF course we know the place has
changed for the better, but the climate
I1e al