San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-05-28

many Dan AutOuldu5. Ills Qe-
partureI is regretted not only by
his company but by the travelling
public generally because he was
q most genial and accommodating
and a competent Official.
Bicyclomsnia-if / may use q
coin word-has struck this city
bad and nearly every one seems
to have q wheel. Not only this,
but there are many tandems and
some sextuple wheels are ordered.
There are bicycle agencies with.
out number, the cyclists have
their own grounds and there are
usually races every Sunday.
Wheels are licensed here, each
wheel bearing numbered license
plate, the riders are under certain
strict police regulations and are
compelled to have q light after
dark. They have to be careful for
IL they run over any one, do
other damage or violate the regu-
lstion they are arrested, taken to
comiseria police headquarters
and have q heap of trouble on
their hands. There are many
good lady riders but these are all
foreigners. No Mexican lady
would think Of riding a wheel.
To her it is immodest and I'm
womsnly and she is content to fill
the place that nature assigned to
her which she does with modesty
and grace that is most pleasing.
Mr.. F. E. Young has retired
from the position eff business man.
ager of the Mexican Herald and
has been succeeded by Mr.. Parker
H. Sercombe, formerly associate
editor Of the Laredo Times and
latterly editor of the Laredo News.
Mr.. w. Bradley, formerly editor
of the Monterey Mercury, now de.
funct, has succeeded Mr.. J. H.
Graves as reporter on the same
paper.
Mr.. Robert Ransom, son Of the
American minister, the Hon. Matt
Ransom, who has been his fathers
private secretary, has been nomi-
mated by President Cleveland as
second secretary of the legation.
Mr.. Ransom Is very popular here
and like his father is very court
eous and accommodating to visit
ing Americans. He is being
warmly congratulated by his
friends on his deserved promotion.
The rainy season, peculiarto Mex
leo, is opening and lasts about two
months. 1t rains every day in the
afternoon or evening. Sometimes
1t is only light shower, at other
times 1t is q considerable storm.
This has the effect of laying the
dust and of ooling the atmosphere.
That is one main reason why the
climate Of Mexico Is so enjoyable
in the summer. 1t is really de-
lightful here. In the midday 1t is
rather hot in the sun but not near
so hot as in San Antonio, and the
mornings till 10 q. m. and even
ings after 5 p. m. are pleasantly
cool. 1 sleep nightly under q
sheet, blanket and heavy quilt
and feel just comfortable.
The new system Of taxation
which is more direct than before
don't seem to please generally
though it is a better and fairer
way. In some parts there has
been open opposition to 1t but the
government soon stopped that as
they do all opposition TO the law.
By the way 1t is worthy of remark
that the City OF Mexico has no
back taxes and has not got to
stand Its employees off for months
as in the case Of poor old San An
tonic. When taxes are due the
proper officer calls for them and
II he don't get them there is
trouble for the taxpayer. And there
is no monkeying with the taxes
or rendering fraudulent assess
ment. Taxes here are mainly of
direct character. Every merchant
has to keep his books in Spanish
and keep them accurate. IL not then
he is punished by fine, imprison-
ment or both. The tax collectors
call monthly and assess merchants
according to the business done.
To attempt to evade taxation is
a serious offence.
Formerly empty houses in this
city were exempt from taxation.
The landlord put up his rent to the
highest notch and could afford to
wait till he got it. But q new
law has just been promulgated
taxing empty houses. 1t Is
thought that this will make the
landlords more anxious to rent
their houses and have tendency
to reduce rents which are admitted
by far too high.
1t will be remembered that Mr..
n