The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-09-25
SCENE ON rEHvAsrErEc RAILROAD.

.. 6CENE ON
which proposes to expend SIS, 200, 900
in improving the harbors at the two
terminals. and it is believed that after
these harbors have been deepened and
fitted with proper docks and other facil-
tiles for loading and d~ischarging car
goes, the new interoccanio route will be
sought by a large portion Of the COM
mcrce between Europe and California,
between Atlantic aud Pacific ports Of
tho United States and between most
Atlantic and gulf ports and ports CD
tho western coast Of Mexico. In addi-
ton to this there is every probability
that much Of the commerce between
Europe and the far east which now goes
by way Of the Suez canal will also be
diverted to this route, and that practi-
cally all European trade with Chile,
Peru and Ecuador will follow along the
same line.
1t ia feared that this will prove Of
serious damage to the Panama railroad,
since, although the Panama railroad is
less than one-ifth as long as the Te-
h%auntepec line. the use Of the latter will
shorten the distance between New York
and San Francisco, for instance, by
about 1900 miles, and between most
important European ports and China by
about 700 miles. While probably it can-
not DO said that it viii shorten the
transportation to most South American
ports, yet the superior depth Of the har-
bors at the Tehauntepeo terminals, en-
abling ships to unload directly to the
railroad cars and dispensing with light
erage, as already explained, will no
doubt make it O more desirable line Of
commerce to the south Of the equator.
The territory through which the Te-
hauntepeo railroad runs is Of . highly
interesting character. At the southern
terminus, Salina Cruz, the greatest al
titude is about 700 feet, and the line
reaches north from there, nowhere en-
oountering very severe grades. through
q natural breaking down Of the noun
tains to the waters Of the Uspanapa,
which flows into the Coatzacoaltcos.
The country through which these rivers
flow is level and low lying, it's soil is
exceedingly fertile. and it is covered
with q luxurianoe Of tropical vegetation
that is nowhere surpassed. All through
this territory there are extensive plan
tations Of cacao, from which chocolate
is made, and Of coffee trees, which are
cultivated and cared for by copper col.
ored descendants Of the Aztecs, whom
Cortez found in possession when he
landed upon Mexico's shores. Much cap.
ital from the United States has already
been invested in the coffee industry,
and upon plantation, owned by an
American company, over 400 native la
borers work during the entire year. The
temperature Of the region is singularly
equable and delightful everywhere. save
close to the shores, the thermometer
never rising above 90 degrees and never
falling below 60.
It requires five years to bring a coffee
plantation into bearing, and after that
the average yield Of each tree is between
three and four pounds annually, or from
1900 to 5000 pounds an acre, since
from 600 to 800 trees are planted upon
each acre. The wages paid to laborers
are not high, the head Of . family earn.
ing from IS to 81 so a month, while
the children work for from Is to So
cents a day through the picking season
Of December and January.
These natives are q remarkably prim.
tive but not at all savage lot. They
live upon bananas and other native
fruits, and they are satisfied with cloth
ing made Of coffee plants, but they are
good natured, obliging, honest and
courteous, and o stranger is invariably
safe in their hands. The men are vel,
built and strong and many Of the WON.
en- are comely, with features chiseled
after Caucasian types.
It cost about $40, 900, 600 to build the
Tehauntepeo railroad and occupied
about IA years, and there is no doubt
that it's proprietor, the Mexican govern
ment, will reap a profit from its opera
tions, since it must acquire a consider
able local traffic as we'll az the heav,
through freight mentioned at the begin
nirv If +hir article