The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-07

of the precious metals, or twoninths
of the whole. OF late years, however,
the tables have been turning in favor, and
in 1883 we sold Mexico $l6,58T, 623, which
brought the amount of our exports to that
country to within So 600. 600 of what the united
imports from Great Britain and Ireland and
France were in 1882. Trifing as these sums
may appear III comparison with the larger de
mands of older and more enlightened countries,
they are still of great Importance as indicating
the possibilities of the future. There can be no
doubt that with the completion of the extensive
system of American railroads now projected IN
Mexico, and most of which are largely subsidized
by the Mexican government, the great buik
of Mexican purchases will be made in this
country, and that our farmers and manufacturers
will reap the benefits But the greatest results
will flow from the awakening of the ten million
people of Mexico to the spirit of the age. They
Will want fabrics, machines implements. furnl-
ture, books, paintings, ornaments-everything
that civilized taste and workmanship and
skill produces-and the want will beget spirit
of enterprise that will gradually overcome the
old idleness and turbulence. and make them pro
ducers as well as consumers.
At the close of the fiscal year there had been
completed within the limits of Mexico some
thing near 1923 miles of railroad in which
american capital is interested, and which are
designed to connect the principle trade centerS
of the two countries. 1t is somewhat difficult
to determine from the published tables of Stats
tics the actual mileage and 1t may be that por~
tions of this estimate of finished mileage have
been counted twice as portions of different rail
road systems The amount Of subventions voted
by the Mexican government to these varied rail
roads is, in round numbers 500, 600, 900, and the
proposed mileage will away up into the
thousands, and make very extensive network
of communication TO and from all parts OF the
country Besides these there are several lines
projected without government aid, and some are
being constructed by British companies Ore of
these latter 800 miles in length, and connecting
ft,a( hoe an ann
pleted and in operation for some time past.
The subventions of the Mexican government
have not been voted upon the basis OF present
ability to pay them. but in the confidence that
the future growth and increase brought
about by the development of the country will
furnish the resources. Thus far the installments
due from the government upon the completion OF
portions of the subsidized roads have been
promptly paid. 1t is impossible to predict with
any degree of certainty. how many of these pro
jectcd lines will fall through and fail
of completion in the near future But
with continued peace in the country and stability
in the government the major portion of them
will be ultimately built. Mexico has, by reason
of its varied inhabitable attitudes, which run
from the sea-level up 70 table-lands having an
elevation of from s. 000to 10 900 feet, a wonderful
variety of climate, from that of tropic heat to
almost frigid cold. A glance at the map will re
veal the fact that the great masses of the inhab
itants are to be found in the more elevated re-
gions, and while populous cities abound in the
table-lands, those upon the sea or gulf-coast or
elsewhere in the low country. are comparatively
small and mean. Vera Cruz, the largest on the
Gulf of Mexico has only 5000 people, and Ma
zatlan the largest on the Pacific but TO- 000 while
there are at least twenty five interior
cities having populations varying from
10000 to 300, 600. 1t is TO the
reclamation and cultivation Of the lowlands
which produce oriental fruits, coffee sugar-eane,
etc, that the future Mexico win, in all human
probability be mostly indebted for increased
Importance and wealth. AS an indication ofthis
fact it may be stated that the State or district
of Vera Cruz produced, in the year ending June
80, 1873, no less than 1856, 400 pounds of coffee
and AL the remainder of the country but 4, $50
1856 pounds. There is country, then, with
vorable trade regulations, A country that IS
never likely to become a rival IN the markets of
the world and nearly all of whose surplus
products are such require. With the III
creased trade that the opening of active com
mercial intercourse will bring about, we will
naturally draw largely increased amounts from
the products of the Mexican gold
and silver mines. The time is probably far
off when it would be either wise or
practicable to look to the absorption of the
Mexican States into our governmental system
but the day is at hand when wise and liberal
policy viii insure to us a wonderful growing and
valuable trade with chat country which can but
to advance the interests of the two peoples
and ultimately lead to the establishment of a
new, happy and prosperous country in the
place of the unhappy Mexico of the past, torn by
revolutions, oppressed By corrupt priesthood
and impoverished by the idIeness and faw1ess-
ness that these things have begotten.