Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-16

A correspondent writes to the ST.
Louis GlObe-DemOcrat from Mexico
When 1 say think the system of tram
ways, or street railroads, in the City of
Mexico is the most perfect system of
transportation have seen in the repub-
lic-I probably owe the jackass, or burro,
system an apology. This meek, long
suffering, Over-burdened, unfed, and
much-abused animal is utilized on all
occasions and for all purposes. At any
time of day and on all roads leading
from the country to the city may be seen
in countless numbers this jack rabbit
family, with every variety of market
ing, including fruit, milk, poultry in
coops, lumber, charcoal tied in bundles
OF weeds or long grass, building stone,
everything that is movable is piled on
these forelorn, friendless animals and
carried to and from tthe country. 1t is
said before the introduction of railroads
that as many as $4,000 were in use in
and around the City of Mexico alone,
and the same system OF transportation
prevails throughout the republic.
The most amusing thing l have seen
in the natives is the ingenuity they dis
play in packing these burrOs with any
thing they want to transport. Lumber
that is too long to balance they attach
to both sides of the donkey and let one
end drag on the ground, and in that
way haul it fifty miles or more from the
mountains to the city, or the mines, as
the case may be.
There is another class OF transporta-
tion in mexico, which should not be
overlooked, as it enters largely into
competition with all others, viz: that
by which the heads and backs of men
and women are used. 1t is surprising
to see what heavy burdens are carried
on both sexes, to and from the country,
the women, generally with a papOOse on
her back, and frequently with one or
two more children a shade larger, fol-
lowing close behind her, and she be-
hind man, who is driving n herd of
burros, all alike loaded to their fullest
capacity, and making slow railroad
time. There is another class known as
cargadoers, licensed by the govern
ment, and usually employed in
cities. They are entrusted with
handling all valuable packages, moving
household goods, carrying messages,
across the streets that are so often over
flowed in the rainy season, etc, etc.
They are, in short, a kind OF confiden-
tial transportation company, and the
only one | have ever heard of IN Mexico.
AS there are few navigable lakes or
rivers of Importance in the interior OF
Mexico, transportation by water cuts
but little figure, OF course. Still the
native Indian continues to utilize what
there is. The famous Lake Tezcuco,
upon which Cortez launched his little
feet in his attack upon the City of Mex
leo in 1920 and into which the drainage
of the city is emptied, still affords navi-
cation for small craft not drawing more
than two feet of water, and is accessible
to the city through canals which are
utilized by the Indians for transporting
passengers and every variety OF market
ing, of which they raise large Quantities
along the canals and on the borders Of
the lake.
1t is upon one OF these canals that the
far-famed floating gardens, cultivated
in the time Of the Aztccs are located,
and are still utilized by the natives for
the production of fruits, flowers and veg
etables. They are often visited by
strangers and citizens who are attracted
there to see the native Mexican in his
aboriginal style OF living. Each family
and there is great number OF them liy-
ing along the line of-the canal, which is