New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-10
TWO MEXICAN CITIES.
A COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND A DECLINING
WATERING-PLACE.


WATERING-PLACE.
SAN LUIS PoTos1 UNDER MODERN INFLUENCES
-AGUAs CALIENTEs IN ITS DECADENCE--
WHAT RECIPROCITY WILL ACCOMPLISH
ORION STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBUYr.)
Aguas Calentes. February &C..
San Luis Potosi and Aguas Calientes are IN the
centre of the Mexican plateau, and are connected
by as undressing and dull railway line as can
be found on the continent The genial superln-
tendent Of the Mexican National Mr. Milan, has
told me of device which he has under cOntem.
plation for reminding travellers of the equatorial
belt. Near Catorce he thinks Of putting up
long fence and displaying in large black letters
the words Tropic of Cancer at the point Of passage
from the temperate into the torrid zone. That
expedent would be q mockery on the branch line
Of the Mexican Central, over which have come
from San Luis. 1t is within the equatorial belt,
but there is nothing to be seen in long after
Moons ride of 1870 miles that suggests tropical
scenery. There are few trees and only the coars-
est of cactus vegetation. While the elevation is
high, it is O fat tablelnnd with hard, dry soil
and very little verdure. few stations with
huddles of fat-roofed adobe huts passed, but
there is naugnb else 10 Cducl Iue eye III uuAi
stretch of country Like many other portions of
the Mexican plateau it disappoints the tourist,
whose expectations have been unduly excited by
glowing descriptions in guide-books So difficult
is it for the stranger 10 realize that ninetenths
of the area Of the Republic is q tableland from
1000 TO 1000 feet above the sea-level, and APP
preached from the north so gradually that there
are neither hills nor mountains to remind him
that there may be temperate zones within the
tropics
San Luis Potosi and Aguas Calientes are cities
10 be seen in succession in order that the contrast
between what is progressive and what is stagnant
in Mexican civilization may be drawn Each
was founded in the century of the Spanish Con-
quest and is situated in the vicinity of mining
camps; but one has received the impulse OF the
modern industrial movement and is making raplo
nrocress. while the other languishes with de-
clininr population and fantastic and spurious
reputation as q Mexican waterng-pace
San Luis Potosi has been considered in revolt
tionary times the most important strategical CEN
ire for military operations in Mexico. Inc rail-.
WAYS have converted it into commercial captal
NJ the first rank The Mexican National made IL
the centre of its trunk system from Laredo I'd
Mexico. building here the handSomest stone rail-
WAY station to be seen in the country Inc Mex
lean Central in opening new port at lahpico
has constructed branch line from Aguas Cahen-
tes TO the coast San Luis Potosi Is the core OF
this branch system, and will profit largely by the
commercial development OF Iampico which WIN
follow the successful completion of the jettics
II is q city with q population of 10000, that Is
growing rapidly and is already pulsating with
business activity. Substantially built and well
laid ont with a spacious alameda and three hand
some plazas close together, it has an imposing
cathedral and many fine churches State Capitol,
= nublic library, museum mint. college, nos
ritols and many other notable structures. Adobe
il already giving place to an excellent building
etone which is found in the valley outside the
city and the newer structures are mainly of this
material There are buildings in course OF con-
struction in every quarter Of the town, and there
is an unmistakable air Of life, activity and en-
terprise in the streets. The stores are stocked
| with many classes Of merchandise not seen In
cities further south. There are fine assortments
of American manufactures, and especially OF agri-
| cultural implements and machinery. The new
| smelling works, now in process OF construction,
will create an important industry and largely In
crease the business of the town. With facilities
for the reduction of all grades Of ore, these fur
noccs will draw upon the resources of all the
northern and central mines in Mexico Other
manufacturing enterprises are already established
and the material prosperity Of the town is appar-
ont Consu-General Sutton has recently de-
scribed the city as the second commercial city OF
the Republic. with great future distributing
point There is large American colony here,
and il is exerting great influence in directing the
industrial development of the city. There Is a
United States Consular agent but the office ought
| IN ne restored to its former rank as Consulate.
The growing Importance of the town Will justify
this change, and the present popular Official, Mr.
Turnbull, deserves promotion.
The Tampco route is described by Americans
here who have been over it as one OF great scenic
beauty. The descent to the coast is made through
deem canons by very heavy grades, where the run
ming time will always he slow and the cost of
onerating the railway very high. The scenery is
! admitted TO be somewhat inferior 10 that Oh the
Vera Cruz Railway, but it is bold and impressive
and will undoubtedly attract throngs of tourists
when there are adequate steamship communica-
tions and hotel accommodations at Tampico. At
Choa there is beautiful cascade, and the passage
IN the tropical belt is made through luxuriant
forests. alive with monkeys and parrots. The
mountain slopes can be converted into one Of the
hest coffee belts in Mexico. This is one OF many
agricultural industries which will be promoted
bv the opening Of this railway. On the other
hand. coal, lumber cotton and iron will be ex-
ported from the United States on a large scale
when there is a harbor for shipping. and will be
brought by railway TO San Luis Potosi as a smelt-
ing and manufacturing centre. lie must be n
very dull observer who remain in that city
forty-eight hours and not be able TO forecast it,