New-York tribune., 1891-05-03
MEXICAN RAILWAYS.
PROGRESS DURING THE LAST DECADE.

CONSERVATIVE T0WN-RECIPROCITf NhHD'
ED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE
SUCCESS OF THE NEW RAILWAYS.
FROM srAvF CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
Acambaro, February 25.
Tnere was the promise of great progress wheh
this struggling, but not unatuacuve, larasc"n
town was invested with the facttlous olghiT VI
the chief railway junction OF the MEXICAN Natio""
curious stone bridge built across the hein'"
was an antiquated reminder OF the ilpor'"n0o
of the village in earlier times when IL comniahueu
the approaches to Mexico from the Pacific coast
AS the town had once been centre Oh VrahsiO
trade and industrial activity there was ground 1or
oxnectino that its fortunes would revive IN the
new era of railway progress. Acambaro may have
disapponted the hopes of railway projectors, pu0
il is n Quaint and picturesque halting place 1or
the traveller who sees here not only hudoies VI
Indian huts and dilapidated adobe nouses' puo
also one of the Oldest churches IN Mexico. ino
parish church of San Francisco oates oacA ~
1882, and has an interior which mas escapeu Vne
reformatory ravages OF restoration uecoi""',''
The miniature plaza, the churchyard, WIN i'S
noble trees n series Of little chapels marking tho
stations of the cross, and the historic priuge
offer characteristic elimpSes Of that old'tme MEX
leo which the American tourist is eager 10 eee'
| Acambaro has also representative populauon
that occupies middle ground between the oesr"-
| dation of Indian villages and the soclai progress
| NJ tbe nrosperous cities of Mexico. 1t Is con-
vcnient place for striking an average estllna'e
Of the real condition of the country. 1t Is con-
servotive almost to the point Of suggishness, but
| II is not q stationary population. There are
| sicrs Of nrocress even In the shabby and neg
looted strccts. There are artistic touches In the
| eurroundinps of the adobe houses. There Is d
| charm of manner and grace OF movement Ill
the women which favorably impresses the vlsioor'
The conventional Mexican house follows closely
the Moorish type. 1t is a rectangular STRUCTURE
of stone or adobe with an interior courtyard
| approached from an archway There are mario"
u,ndovrs GRATED with iron bars and protected by
u,ooden shutters. which are closed at night ana
IN tbe heat Of the day. The more pretentiouS
| houses in the cities have two hoors' the iowei
| one being occupied for business purposes ouo
ordinarily there is one story without attic or
| cellar and the roof Is never pltcheu' ine'o
| ore niazzas and balconies fronting upon the IN
tor,or court-vard which is either paved or tiled,
and ornamented with shrubbery and vines Inc
evterior is less attractive than the interior New'
exoent in rare instances when china tiles OF danny
| ooIors arc used In less ambitious towns, Ike
| Acambaro. the archway is replaced by gaze
ot rho side of the house, and the court is gIueh
with flowers trees and paved walks. nankeu oy
sleepinC rooms and kitchen and STABLE MeAioan
conventionalities imprison women OF tne oeV'si
o,oss az home and their lives are passed mainly
IN these enclosed courts and gardens. lhey nave
tho art of making their homes beauuiui ny ne.,i'
of simple touches and eNqulsites neachess' Ano
tiled marble or brick floors are spotiessiy ci"n
the potted plants, parterres OF ho"ers anu iuA
uriont vines are watered morning and evening
a6oH. and Is
comfort and domestic peace pervading MEXICAN
hore oven If the furniture be rude and clnmsliy
| fashioned and the high colored prints anu
fantastic images of the Virgin unduy conspicuous
well-born women here IL not remarRaole ior
beauty. are quick-witted and vlvacious' pao'i'i' ,
ately fond Of music dancing ana recrea'i'i,' "''
unaffected In their manners. Ihey are Je",ou'lS
excluded from social attentions untlI huspanu'
are chosen for them by matchmaking nioOie.', ,, ,
Sometimes they revolt against these u"@iuon,''' -
arrangements. and when they are OIL age '"o
law gives them the right 20 marry "ho" 'iey
| nIease. Docility is the badge OF tne racc %nu ~
ordinarily Mexican senorita suomissiSeS UNe'
the husband who is assigned to her ny 'n0 i"''''
of the household. III. ,,,
Acambaro lies in beautiful valley, with noun
+oirs sloung toward Lake Cuitzeo, on the railway
limo to Morelia and Patzcuar0. This Is proau
: eboat Of water. inferior only to Lake fa'zcu'ro
IN +ranouil beauty and its bold settlng ol sur
rorndinc highlands The railway rue Is
) charming one all the way from Patzcuaro, WIFI
! limnses of one Of the handsomest haclehdas 10
be seen in Mexico. one or two VIiateS u sie"'
antiquity foaming watercourses anu way '. COS
oodos and ,vide vistos of Lake Cuitzeo. Al Acam'
baro the main line leading from MEXICO 10 iareu'
3 is Intercepted and the returning traveller ooAe'
his comnass and Gets his face in the direction o.
home
The Mexican railway system has been virtually
@ established during the last decade III 10" '
B. | were only 372 miles Of railway III operation Il
il 1886 there were 3.725 miles, and to-day then
| are 5555 miles with ,740 miles under cohstruc
ton All these railway lines are sunSiolzeu wioi
+ the exception Of the International halfway iron
Torreon TO Pedras Negras-3S5 miles, for ohir''
g years charters were granted for the construction
& railways, but little was done lheh America'
= corporations captal and energy were employed
y and great results were accomplished under an en-
: lightened Government policy. In the course OF
few years charters were granted for the construc
=. ton Of over 10000 miles, carrying subsldie
:, amounting to 100000, 900; but many OF tn
concessions lapsed, and the Government is nov
under financial obligations to the extent OF les
= than 81 90, 900, 900. The suspension OF subsldie
" in 1884, caused by the financial embarrassments o
:" the Government, threw several of the railway en-
III terprises into bankruptcy With the funding o
ne obligations in longterm bonds and the resumption
IN of subsidy payments the fortunes Of the railway
e' have greatly improved. Unlike the American cor
"a tinental railways, which were aided by the rapi
~ settlement of the country traversed by the lines
g. the Mexican corporations have not prohted b
40 immigration. Cities am towns have been COZ
nected BY rapid linon Il communication, but tn