St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-04-29

tax also on all products brought into
them from other states. And as if this
was not "protectioD" enough, towns
and cities levy a tax on all goods en-
tering them. This aggregated ''pro-
tectionn amounts many times to pro-
hibition. 1t is claimed that wheat
paws 81 distinct taxes before the -four
is made into bread. Mexico can give
American statesmen and politicians
points on protection which will aston
ish them.
1t is but a short step from states
men, politicians and taxes to ward
caucusses and electiOns-and this
brings out the fact-at least published
as a fact-that the total number of
votes cast in this city at the last cleo
ton was 1I6 The city is credited
with 100000 people. This shows the
interest taken in the choice of rulers
in this sister republic. But what bet
ter could be expected ? 1t is said that
seven tenths of the population of Mex
leo are Indians who can neither read
nor write; have neither bed, chair,
shoe nor stocking, and barely clothing
enough to cover their nakedness and
that of the poorest quality. What
care they for elections-their great
fight is for existence. The land-Own-
ers are satisfied so long as there is
no revolution and their estates
are not taxed. The only class who
seem to care fig for politics are those
known as the Liberals-a mixed race
of Spanish and Indian, who have some
progress and little sand in their
makeup.
Congress sits twice a year, spring
and fall. The form of government is
patterned after the United States, but
it is really more of monarchy. There
are $50 members of the lower house
one for 10000 inhabitants-and 30 SEN
atOrs-twO from each state. 1t was
the fortune of your correspondent to
be at the opening of Congress on April
LIST. This is fine looking body OF
men. They have good heads, good
physique, are we'll dressed, and be-
have in a dignified manner. L am not
sure but the American Congress would
suffer in comparison. When Presl-
dent Diaz walked in at $50 (they be-
gin their sessions at 6 o'clock in the
EVENING" every member arose to his
feet and stood until the president had
taken his seat. He was preceded by
one man and followed by a dozen or
more dignitaries, including several Of
ficers of rank. These all took seats
upon the floor as the president ascend
ed the platform and began to read his
message. President Diaz is a good
| looking man, above medium hight,
and is credited with being pretty
good man every way, which is quite
in contrast with his predecessor.
The approaches to the hall of repre-
sentatives were closely guarded by a
file of soldiers. In fact there are SOL
diers everywhere, and though this is a
republic in name, there is arbitrary
rule, and everything indicates that
force is a "military necessity" which
will be used on the slightest provoca-
ton. And probably this kind of a
rule is the best for this kind of people.
The very police of the cities go armed
with heavy pistols which they wear in
plain view and though they are not
supposed to use their weapons, some
thing about them commands respect
not accorded to Scoops" in the states.
Another popularity of these guardians
of the peace is their position in the
centre of the streets where they inter-
sect. so they can look four ways. At
night each policeman has a lantern
which he generally places in the cen
tire of the street, while he fingers about
in the Immediate vicinity and no mat
ter how crowded the streets or how
great the haste of the drivers, no one
was ever known to drive over these
lanterns. 1t is refreshing sometimes
to see respect paid to the powers that
be.
In the ten Mexican cities thus far
visited but two drunken men have
been seen, and no rOwdyism whatever.
1t may not be a fact, but there is a
sense of security in the streets of the
city of Mexico, day or evening, that
one hardly feels in any large city in
the States.
This city is said to be without prop
per drainage, and filthy and unhealthy
to an alarming degree. Some visitors
make more or less ado about the
smells. Where smells have been in
stock several hundred years it is but
natural that they should be ancient.
But people who can endure tobacco
fumes, musk and limburger cheese, can
stand two weeks of Mexican Odors.
The city is scOurged by disease.
Smallpox, typhoid fever and pneu-
monia are all too common. The man
ager of the Raymond excursion of one
year ago-Mr. Bolton-sickened and
died here of smallpox in a Mexican
hospital. American residents are now
raising funds to build an American
hospital, the fund having been started
by the party whose leader was thus
stricken down. The Raymond party
of one month ago added $500 to the
fund which is now about $23, 200.
Rev. John w. Butler, resident MethO-
dist ma tar and DIR Parsons of Con-