The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-18
THE GREAT MEXICAN JOB
To Get Sonora, chihuahua, Coahuila and
Lower California.

Washington Special.
Three interests representing tens of millions
OF dollars, are organizing plans for the acquisi-
ton of Mexican territory. Covetous eyes have
long been cast on the northern States of Sonora,
Chihuahua and Coahuila, and on Lower Cali
forna.
The subsidized railroads, the subventions of
which have suddenly been repudiated; the
claimants who failed before the joint commits
sion, and the spectators in mines and in lands,
form the basis of this combination.
Managers of the scheme in the United States
and in Mexico regard the present time as oppor-
tune for the prosecution of their project. First,
it is claimed that the acquisition of territory has
always been popular in this country. The re-
suits Of the purchase of Louisiana and Florida,
the annexation of Texas, and the addition of
California are all cited as examples to encourage
this policy, although they encountered a fierce
opposition at the outset.
The financial condition of Mexico is desperate,
and almost hopeless without relief It was
hardly possible for practical men engaged in
vast enterprises not TO have foreseen this col
lapse, when that government accepted obga-
tons which her involved resources could not
redeem How the railroad concessions were
procured need not now be discussed The fact
stands that the bubble has burst with ruin to
thousands of innocent shareholders
These industrious schemers contend that
800, GOO, 600 would not seriously affect Treas
urv, in view Of the surplus and that, if this in
vestment made III the States already sug-
gested, large part of the purchase money
would return to citizens of the United States,
under conditions which they would propose to
have inserted in any treaty of acquisition.
They also claim that if the administration
1s1A
all existing discords, draw off attention from
questions of patronage, and fix the public mind
on subject which could not fail to attract sup
port from the Republicans in the West particu-
lary and also in the great cities
An argument addressed to the South is, that
this territory is needed as an offset to the com
ing States of the Territories of Washington,
Montana, Wyoming, Dakota and Idaho against
which Arizona and New Mexico may be claimed
possibly as sympathZing with Southern senti-
ment There is no present probability that
Texas viii avail herself of the right of subdivid-
ing into four States, as provided in the act of an
nexation Therefore, without change of poll
tics, not much expected under present conditions,
the Senate will, for years to come, be likely to
have Republican majority.
This sectional aspect of the case is more OBJ
Jectionable than the managers seem to suppose,
and If pressed in public as it is in private, would
put an end to the project however favora-
BILE the surroundings might appear to be.
AT this time of depression in business, adven-
turers, jobbers and schemers of every descrip-
ton seek chances to better their impecunious
condition. This project of acquiring Mexican
territory has enlisted in its support large inter
ests that could we'll afford to pay literally in the
event of success for aid and comfort, as was
done in the Texas case, when large fortunes
were acquired by public men, in connection with
private bankers at Washington.
The administration has given sign of favor
to this huge job, and if it acts wisely the con-
trivers and the hackers of it will get cold comfort
at the White House. With the negroes, the Nor
mons, and the mixed blood in the Territories of
New Mexico and Arizona, we have a sufficient
load to carry without adding to its weight any
acquisition from Mexico