The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-08-17
Col. shannon,s Qualifications

Col. Richard c. Shannon, who has been
appointed United States Minister In Central
America. obtained his experience of Latin
American peoples In a very pleasant and
profitable way. He was one Of the pioneers
in the development Of the street railway sys-
tenn Of Rio De Janeiro, and for some time
President Of the Botanic Gardens Railway
Company of that city, while previously he
had been Secretary of the United States
Legation and Charge D'Affaires. The in
PRODUCTION of street railway into Rio De
Janeiro was an enterprise requiring consid-
cradle courage on the part of the promoters,
although in the end 1t proved very profitable.
The circumstances attending the beginnings
OF the enterprise were highly interesting and
often humorous. The Americans began op-
erations by buying up an old concession that
had been granted but never improved.
When they began locating their right Of way
there was stir among the conservative
Dons. The ablest native engineers were
consulted, and those WORTHLESS declared that
street cars never could be made to 20 In
some of the narrow streets of Rio De janet
70, and that the turning Of corners would be
impossible. For the cars were eighteen feet
long, the wheels would be at each end, and
therefore 1t would be an impossiblity for
such vehicles to turn the sharp corners In
the narrow streets. This reasoning was
sound, supposiDg the premises to be correct.
But the Americans finally managed t, ex-
plain that the wheels Of an American horse
car were put near together under the middle
OF the car, thus allowing an easy swing
around the sharpest corner. The wise men
OF Rio were considerably surprised at such
device, and doubtingly withdrew their OBJ
1ections. When the railroad was put in OPP
GRAFTON. 1t had an amusing effect upon Gus
toms and manners in the CITY, Like all the
peoples OF the Spanish Peninsula the Portu-
guese of Brazil are very ceremonious
affecting an ancient statleiness of man.
ner When Portuguese senior enters
room he always bows tremendously and
shakes hands wilt each person, whether he
may be acquainted or not. Again when he
leaves, even If he have not remained more
than two minutes, he goes the rounds, shak-
Ing hands and bowling. When the street cars
were introduced, this custom was found to
be fraught with difficulties. The ceremoni-
Gus old senior would signal the car to stop,
and when 1t had stopped would begin his
ceremonious round Of the car, bowling and
shaking hands with each of the passengers.
Meanwhile the driver, impatiently holding
his horses or mules, would cry in despair,
For the love Of God, Senior, hurry" And
finally, when the old senior had shaken hands
with all and seemed about 10 step to the
ground, the driver would shout to his ami
mails and the car would speed IN t. make up
for lost time. Gradually the d. Ivers became
more impatient, and they w"ud not wait
for the senior to be safely off before starting
up. AS result the long ceremond began to
involve the danger that the senior would be
thrown into the mud by the premature start
ing Of the car. So the old custom became
uncomfortable, and then obsolete, so far as
the street cars were concerned. Still more
marked was the influence of the cars upon
still another cherished custom of the Portu-
gese. The women Of Rio Janeiro, as of all
Latin American cities. were very rigidly
guarded and enjoyed few such liberties of
going about, as American women do.
But when the nicely upholstered cars began
to run there was great ferment in society.
The ladies wished to ride In them; and grad
ually one and then another ventured out.
Soon riding on the cars became the thing for
the beauty of lRio. The effect was marvel
lows Getting out into the air and the taking
of the exercise had an appreciable effect
upon the health OF the women. They became
more beautiful. Moreover, their presence
on the cars was an attraction to the young
men. Finally it is said that the marriage
rate increased peIceptibly; and the people
of Rio became healthier, happier and more
numerous, all on account Of Mr.. Shannon's
American street railway. Soon thel govern
ment noticed the prosperity of this road, and
of the other roads that had followed 1t; and
decided to levy tax amounting to about
cent Of our money, on every passenger. The
other companies collected the extra cent out
of every passenger as the fare was paid; but
Mr.. Shannon and his associates, with true
American perspicacity. concluded that it
would be better for them to forego portion
Of their profits, keep fares at The old rate,
and assume the payment Of the tax on each
passenger carried. The government did not
approve this. They said their tax was not
taking effect on the people. Col. Shannon
asked them what they cared for this so long
as they got the money. But they were not
satisfied, and only ceased their complaints
"nen the Americans declared that they were
aoIe'gn company and could not legally be
maue collectors Of Brazilian tax. This
eoso' was effective, and they were not
haa aeu iatther. But the companies that
tarad 'onec'eo the tax of their passengers
oandno "o .'is. The people compared their
oOnSo ~s WIN mat Of the American road.
cOlu .a II, and proceeded to have a ,Iot
anu year up the tracks. A serious embar.
rassment OF the ministry resulted; but Col
Shannon's road went on making mona, 81 ~.