Arizona weekly citizen., 1884-06-28
SONORA MATTERS.
An Interview With Governor Tor,.,
 The Prosperity and Ou,IooL

]
 presentative of the CITIZEN had q,
 opportunity Of calling upon Goverpo
 Torres, ot the State of Sonora. and f
 learning many facts of interest to tb
 general reader. The present oc,,nar O. the gubernatorial chair is n pantl,
 ilah hot past middle age. Of very agree
 "oie manners, and linquist of n
 ordinary ability. He is naturally
 s'a'e' man Of the highest developneni Is progressive in his ideas. and has in
 prosperity of his State constantly upner
 most m bis mind. His constituent
 greatly admire him for the ability h
 has thus far shown as an executiv ohcer, and place perfect reliance in an, efforts be may make to bring tbei country to the level with those which With better facilities, both as regard wealth and industry, have tbus fo made greater advancement. Tn, Governor has only recently returne, from the city of Mexico, where he Ven chleny to urge legislation for the benef or Sonora. While there he eneagef with ex-Governor Ortiz in a duel. T, heretofore published, in which he re ceiVed painful but not serious wonnd Tn the right hand. The sore is fms, heaIing. Upon the cause of inc san. euinary meeting, which was of E | political nature, the Governor was sd. verse to talking. or other matters bs spoke willingly. In reference 10 the aII. important topic now discussed in Sonora-namely, yellow fever-tbe Governor believed that any fever now existing Tn Gnaymas was neither in. iectlous or of the nature of vel. low fever. From the scourge that was brought from Mazatlan to Guaymas last year, hardly 450 died out of a non. ulatlon of from l6,00J t0 Ie.O0O m ina two cities of ilermosiiio and Gusynn,,. Ihls fatality was mainly due to neglect and carelessness, and the Gbseusa Of ne. cessary resources with which to combat the disease. There were means now nt hand to contend with another endemic ot the kInd should one make its aupear. ance ths summer. Regarding the fever ot last summer the gentleman copsid- cred 1t of an infections character. but oplnlons differed as to whether or not if was distinctly yellow. American pbysi- cIans as rule declared it Was not vel low fever, while most Mexican prscti- tloneers decided otherwise.
 Commercially speaking do the effects ot last years Pestilence still remain in Hermoslllo: asked the writer.
 No; business IS much better now than for many months. Of course last fall there was little activity, but now busi- ness men have regailed confidence, and the city can he said to be thriving.
 Do you think the fever will show it. self m HermuslllO this seasong
 Harlly-snswered the Guvernor-I judge from the fact that the heat here is now sufficient to deyelope the disease, If the germs remain, yet there have been no cases. The few eases in Guay- mas have been of very mild character There IS one thing I wish you would make prominent. It Is brought to my mind by learning that En agent of Wells, Fargo < O., caught the fever here, WIS taken tO TucsOn where he died. There arc % chances in loo that a fever patient will die ii Ee leaves for a differ ent climate. the locality where be :s stricken. This has been proven time and again. Ii a person Is taken sick here let him remain. His chances for life are far better.
 What are the opportunities fo- suc- cesslul mining in your State st present? incurred the reporter.
 Well. We be!icve We have as fine mines or prospects as any in the world. Of course capital, experience and energy are needed.
 I understand yCa are ih favor of any legislation that will assist foreigners in successfully investing capital here?
 Yes, sir.-wa5 the reply. That was part of my object in going to the City of Mexico.
 What are the duties on mining sup plIes, production, etc, at present:
 We require tax of 8 per cent. on the production of mines. but let me just here correct a prevailing erroneous opinion. Should mine owJors, in the course of development, wish to send ore. or even several carloads of ore cut of the State for the purpose Of testing its value at convenient reduction works, the shipment can be made free from duty. IL k oniy after the mine has been proven a paying investment that we de maud the duties accOrdlng tO law. Ali mining machinery can bc brought here flee from tax. TEere IS law before our congress authorizing the Governor of State to make contracts with persons who come hero to test ores by shipment to foreign countries. Naturally people are better wiling t0 pay tax on resources than outlay.
 During further conversation regard ing Sonora's mineral resources, the Governor referred to rich discoveries in the Sierra Madres, and believed that such locality would ultimately bring larre wealth both 60 the State and tJ the individual owners of the properties.
 Regarding all political questions the gentleman was Teticelt, simply refer ring to the election for President next Sunday, when Diaz will be voted for. The latter is really the only active can didate. The electors chosen next Sun day will cast their ballots directly for President, ia fifteen weeks from date of election.
 The Governor resides in large but unpretentious dwelling not far from the plaza and new capitol buildings, and. 1t is said, is very fond Of society. Ills home is the scene of many pleasant gatherings during the socla! season, while he and Lis vile can always be found at all the best entertainments, public and prIvate, given Tn HermosIllo. When found by the reporter the Governor was enjoying morning smoke on one of the balconies surround ing the inner court of his residence, and then the weight of official cares seemed to bear lightly upon his broad shoulders.