Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1884-03-27
Mexican Railroads,

of the Central railroad marks an epoch |
in Mexico's history. This is the first
railroad to place her in direct commu-
nication with foreign country, The
results to follow such connection will |
be watched with interest. The cry of
American absorption which has been
so constantly and persistcntly raised
will be rcdoubled. The foreign mer-
chants now see that the manufactures
of the United States can come by rail
into the country and be cheaply and
cXpcditiously distributed over the
whole republic. 1t looks as if the day
of the Mexico and Vera Cruz road had
passed. American merchants will
hardly ship their goods by sea and sub
icct themselves to the heavy tariff inn
posed by the English road connecting
the port of Vera Cruz with the capi-
tai. The Central road will offer them
direct communication ut much lower
rates. If the manufacturers of the
United States do not push their ad-
vantage, now that facilities are offered,
it will be the shortest kind of blind
ness. Competition from England or
Germany is almost out of the question.
Mexico is at thcirvery door, and wants
| lust such articles as the United States
can supply,
The work of construction on the Cen
tral road was pushed radidly from the
| beginning. 1t is but little over three
years since work was first commenced.
The driving of Yesterdays spike COM
plctcd system of l,22j miles, which
docsnot include the work doneonbranch
lines, The subsidies on the main line
when paid will amount to about Sl9,-
600, 900, but the company has wisely
pushed ahead independent of the sub
Sidy granted, and has completed the
system with Il large percentage of the
subsidy still due. The great mistake
made by the officers of the road was
in attempting to build branch lines
from Tampico, on the gulf, and from
San Bias, on the Pacific, to connect
with the main tablc-and road. On
the rampicO division some 100 miles OF
road had been built. which connects
with nowhere, and will be of no earth.
| ly use until pushed through to San
Luis POtoSi Some of the work was
exceedingly costly. Bonds have beer
issued on this division, and the mana
gers will be forced to meet the inter
est charges out of the receipts of the
main line; for, rs there is but one trair
Il week run on the completed 100 mile,
from Tampico. it is hardly probabl,
that this train will pay interest orcvcr
operating expenses.
1t is stated that through traffic will
commence about the 18th. Pullman
cars for the road are completed, ant
the first one is expected to arrive her,
= in a few days. The company propose
to attract tourists in every poSSibl,
way. The Pullman ears will hav,
every convenience, and dining ear
will also be attached. Good rcstaur
ants will be opened at the principa
stations along the road. At the begin
ming it will probably take lifty-tw,
, hours from FL PaSo on the Rio Grand
to tl.c City of Mexico. 1t is hoped t,
reduce this time to two days whcl
! travel is Systcmatizcd. There will b
one through train daily. which vii
, also bring the mails.
There was Il time when the McXica
National railroad was talked about
Wagcrs were made, when work wa
+ begun on the respective lines, that tn
4 National would he finished to tn
United States first. The compan
9 pitched in regardless Of expense. A
# one time an army Of fifteen thausan
Il men were working on constructio
II from this city toward Morcla, FL
ginccrs Hooked to the National for en-
= ployment General managers and sui
J. managers, chief engineers and sui
Is engineers, We're us numerous ON tn
road rs army generals are in the Me,
b, lean army. There was Il sudden 60
ct lapse, and the glorious days of I'll
g National departed, The greatest t,
. trayagancc, il is said, prevailed, I'll
Il road is now operating from this city
+ Morclia, the capital of the state
'c Mcchoacan, and from Laredo on Il
northern division TO Saltillo.
~ The Oriental, or more familiar
- known as the Gould road, if bull
M would follow the gulf far enough i
~ land 10 traverse the richest parts
yo Mexico, and probably save Il dstan,
of two hundred miles over the n
,f tional. Jay Gould has. however, gol
i. back on Mexico, so there is little pro
IN. ability Of this road being built at pre-
,ri cnt. The small distance construct,
in into Mexico has been seized. and
or now in the hands of Il receiver to 5;
oti isfy claims Of S220,OOO owing to go
he tractors. lluntingtoniS the other ri
road magnatc in Mexico. His conc,
nj sion for a road along the Pacific COS
as from Fort Yuma to the frontier
Guatemala has been declared forfcitc
lrr His tahlc-and concession is still vail
mt and he is even building under it. lii
February some l2j miles of road ru
re. ming from Picdras Ncgras, on the 4
= it Grandc, to MOnclora was inaugural
with Il great celebration. What HUI
vas ingtOn'S intentions are is not cle;
lew Some say that he will keep on buildi
toward this city until he forces t
on, Central to come TO his terms. HUI
by ington, it will be. remembered, is t
man who would build Mexican roa
0t without SubvcntiOnS. Credit must
= given to his farsightcdncSs in so eal
has putting himself on record rs oppoS
to government subvcntiOnS. cdou
oi less saw the government inability
4 Il