The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-06

Jimenez has said nothing upon the subject,
1t is believed that be has gone away to be
out OF the strife, feeling that the ques-
tion OF union is likely 10 result in
a muddle that cannot be cleared away by
patriotism Of even the most disinterested
sort, but which must he left TO time for its
strengthening out. IL Is peaceful enough
in Costa Rica. President Roderiguez and
his ministers are being loudly applauded
by the newspapers and the public in general
for their recent excellent measures TO pro-
tect home industries. Such, for instance,
as the step TO reduce the price Of corn.
the principal food Of the poorer classes.
The government now undertakes 10 pur-
chase this article in large quantities and
sell il to the people at a much lower price
than formally it could be obtained.
Another step is the important one that
predicted in previous letter, Of abolishing
the tobacco monopoly. That Is, OF declaring
the culture Of tobacco on the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts and ON the lands toward the
Nicaragua and the Colombia frontiers free To
all, and, what is more, stimulating and en-
cOuraging its production with prizes to the
most successful planter, the prizes to be
supplied BY the public treasury. This looks
as if President Rodriguez were going to
make the very best kind OF an executive.
The legislative power has followed suit IN
proposing 10 abolish the ''stamp" duty. Up
TO the present time everything in the way Of
a business transaction on paper has had to
be stamped with 'timbres" OF various de-
nominations from one cent upward. This
has been felt by the poorer classes, and re-
garded as a serious impediment on the
whole 20 business. SenOr vargas Is the
leader in this movement 1t is thought that
these new measures will prove Of great ben
hit in opening the lOng-clOsed valves OF in
dustry.
Don FREDERICK Tinoco, one Of the richest
and most important men the country, has
created quite sensation by a speech in
Congress in which he attacked the standing
army, calling them "A set Of lazy yagab0nds.
The military are highly indignant, and
many Of them have replied to him through
the columns of the daily papers with good
deal Of force. President Rodriguez and
Secretary of War Iglesias have just paid
visit of inspection 10 Port Lim0n, where IT
is hoped the necessary town improvements
are very shortly 10 be made.
There is talk of rigid quarantine mea-
sures being adopted i'm Puntas Arenas, the
Pacific port, against vessels arriving from
Mexico, where, il is reported. double
plague Of measles and smallpox is raging.
Considerable talk has been OccasiOned by
the fact that Bishop Thie did not take part
in the procession occurring eight days after
that Of Corpus Christi, called the procession
Of the OctayariO of Corpus. There are
rumors that his Holiness will soon leave for
Rome.
A vast extent Of public lands has just been
declared ''undenOunceabe' until after the
Biyer Plate Company shall have measured
aud chosen such as il cares to take. BY
"undenOunceable" is meant that these
lands cannot be taken up as can those in
other localities by persons agreeing to I'M
prove them.
The only steam brewery in Central
America is i'm the city Of Carriage, the
former capital Of Costa Rica. The proprie-
tor Is German, Of course; 1900 bottles OF
beer are the daily production. great
deal of beer is drunk in the country, and IT
would be better. perhaps. if more of il were
drunk instead Of agquardiente and guaro.
A movement is gong on in all the five Re
publics to close the shops and stores on
Sundays. The markets and establishments
where provisions are sold Will be open dur
Ing q certain part Of the day.
Much amusement has been created by
the suggestion OF some simple and over
piOus souls that the terrible accident during
the Corpus Christi procession was pun
shment imDOsed upon the people because
tue IL Ndr bDl iONfifn
IN the street for the Bishop and his follow
ers tO walk over.
Don Frutos Pamagua has been named
Minister Of GubernaciOn and War in Mica
ragua, in place Of Don Modesto BarriOs.
The confusion i'm Salvador is likely to con-
tue for some weeks. While il lasts 1t will
be hard 10 tell from one day to another just
VINO is i'm power or likely to be for the next
twenty-four hours. The outbreak was not
surprising to those acquainted with the po-
itcal condition of the five republics. SINH
lar upheayals may take place at any mo
ment in either Guatemala or Nicaragua. !
doubt their possibility in Honduras and
Costa Rica. One thing may be said, how
eyer-foreigners purposing 10 visit Central
America need never remain away through
tear of these possible revolutions. For the
reputable foreigner his property and all per-
tanning to him are sacred in the eyes Of the
natives. What is more, people are seldom
killed, no matter how fierce the fighting.
The firing is high in the air usually, for
there seems to be an aversion to taking hu-
lmaupif