The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-09-23

La Abra claim. which had been pro-
nounced fraudulent, and went on to con-
slider the question of the proposed inter
national dam. remarking
Frontier towns, from Juarez for dis
lance of 113 kilometres down the river,
have suffered damages which amount to
many millions of dollars and have lost a
large number of inhabitants on account
of the frequent foundations of the Rio
Grande and the use of the water of
the river for irrigation purposes on
lands in the United States, which has
greatly reduced the volume of water In
order to remedy as far as possible these
evils, a great international reservoir has
been planned and negotiations opened
at Washington by our minister. 1t is
to be hoped that the government of the
United States, overcoming the difficulties
raised by spectators, will conclude
treaty with Mexico for the execution of
this work. which is of vital Importance to
jewellers on either bank of the river.
"Iitles to new mines issued during the
| past half year number 719, making the
| total number since the law regarding
| mining properties was put in force i've
years ago. 6519 The expectation of
! minerals rose in the past fiscal year to
| $74, 100000 silver remaining. about as in
the previous year. while gold was mil
| lion dollars greater. Nearly Il million
| of acres of national and waste lands
have been transferred to private owner
| ship. their transfers to settlers, sales to
| private individuals, etc.
| "The heavy rams which have been gen
eral all over the country give promise
] of large crops. Haryests in previous
years have amounted in N value to an
this year will show substantial increase.
"The postoffice department shows 4
large increase in amount of correspond
ence and in receipts and the postal money
order system shows nearly double the
former amount of business. The tele-
graphs owned by the government show
also remarkable increase of business
the first half of this year. as compared
with the previous half"
Referring 20 .;ie question of the de,
cline in silver as affecting finances OF
Mexico. the president says:
| unfortunately. the present hscal year
does not begin under as good auspices as
the previous one. for the excessive
weakness and fluctuatiOn of silver, often
sudden and violent in their character
have 80 Influenced economic conditions OF
tile country that it is demanding the seri
Gus attention of the government, and has
caused the adoption of measures of pru
dence all expenses not absolutely neceS
sary being postponed or reduced. Tho
magnitude and sudden character of the
present perturbation in silver certainly dc
not correspond to the known causes
which have produced it. and. therefore
there are wcl-fOunded motives for eX
pecting that the factors. more or les
artificial. which may have had an intu
pncc in the decline of silver will be OF
short duration and may even soon brint
/ about a favorable reaction. There i
not. therefore. for the present any seri
Gus motive of alarm. The nation Wi
be able to pass happily through this dim
! cult period confronting it with the SAM
serenity which it displayed a few years
ago when the same identical causes pro
duced alarm"
This portion of his message ATTRACTED
great attention and was most favorabl,
. received.
T. The finance department has issued con
cessi0ns for several banks of issue il
the interior and has under study sevcra
other proposed banking charters.
Regarding military matters the prcsi
, dent says that it has been decided t.
adopt the Spanish Mauser rife. for TIT
army, and some 1000 have been or
dered. The Remington rifles will b.
kept for Use in the army. reserves.
1t is proposed to Introduce smokelcs
powder while Il number of machine gun
, have been purchased for the artillery.
, In conclusion. the president ASSURED
congress that there was every reason fo
, congratulation on the state of the coun
try. which steadily grows richer. whit
The government revenue is continually in
creasing. There is only one thing to h'
i, regretted and that is that the singh
, cause. entirely outside of the power %
the country to control, threatens to dis
turb the foreign trade of the republic
and the easy financial situation of thu
! government. Up to tile present time tn,
,, recent decline in silver. which. if con
! tinncd and aggravated might occasion
serious consequences. only encourages ma
tional expectation and MANUFACTURES
while the temporary nature of this de
cline. according to reports received b,
the executive permits the indulgence
, of the hope that the situation will soOl
clear up. and in any event. the nationa
treasury is properly prepared to meet it