The Republican journal., 1897-08-12
Guatemala's Capital.
al Winter Resort for North Americans
Curiosities of Prison.Life.

~re2al correspondence of The Journal
ATEMALA LA NUEvA, June II, 1897.
d. Jnger one remains in this paris of
.tlal America the more he appreciates
manifold beauties and the less inclined
SIS 10 leave it. The wonder grows why
-.4e Americans do not come down here
lend the winters-or the summers for
50 matter, as there is little change of
..uperature between the wet season and
lry and it is hard to say which is most
,rable, The few days journey from
N.a ork or New orleans to Guatemala S
tai is not an expensive one. The eli
t.t lit this elevation in the semi tropics,
near perfection as can be found on
mundane sphere. and the healthful-
the region remarkable. \ gu may
tne spanish casa, with its big
and tlowery patio, its fountain and
and ng trees. literally for song
impaired to house hire in our North
lies. Servants wages are absurdly
and since Guatemala la Nueva is now
rect communication with the outer
by rail to the port Of san Jose, pro
rs are cheap and abundant. The
arain views, the charming rides and
enades, and the novelty OF daily life
-g the foreigner make a short resi-
full of delight But let nobody i'm
that in coming to Guatemala he is
g civilization behind The Paris of
nal America well deserves its title.
.z millionaire coffee planters live here
men who spend their money freely,
nave lived in European capitals long
9Th to know how to spend it. As be-
mentioned, the city is lighted by
Icity; tramway lines run in all direc-
as and the telephone, mail and tele-
systems are equal to those Of any
Re-. country. Public instruction is
ed within reach of the poorest, with
distinction OF race or previous con-
ms. in numerous schools where
Aing is advanced to the highest de-
Among many notable institutions
yet described in these letters are TWO
Ks. the International and Colon
.uo, number Of asylums and charit-
retreats, both native and foreign,
Vic and private; the Custom House
Revenue buildings; the Liquor and
I1
ST and Telegraph Office; the new peni-
larry and score of interesting
tches. la every ward are handsome
-5ans, with baths and public reser-
for laundry purposes. All the water
-i in the capital is brought by two
4ducts. from rivers eight or ten miles
~ Inside the city limits are twenty
reservoirs, whence running water is
Nn by whoever will. They were con
ted by Dictator Barrios, and being
ulal in form. with stone steps. fuun-
IS and payilions. are as ornamental As
.sul Around these reservoirs are small
k. for washing clothes. First come
served is the laYanders motto, and
m dawn till dark they are wreaking
ageance on somebody's clothes. The
Gunner in the hotel, having given out
washing. IS likely to be astonished by
t.4 Of it in course of his perambula-
a tie streets, being scrubbed 10
-=l~ ia the STONE tubs. OF spread to dry
the curb q fall view Of passers by;
ten tn one. he turns his head away
refuses 10 recognize his most intimate
lantances in the line of undergar-
ITS Great wateI-lovers are these Guate-
ms. Large, open-air swimming tanks
.nd: also public bath houses, with
and cold water and other modern I'M
gemenJs livery private patio has its
tain, OF huge circular stone basin,
.tcA serves the double purpose of fam
aundry and bathing place. The
men, particularly the servants, seem to
.e perfect craze for washing the hair,
d is always long and heavy and re-
..es hours to dry; custom permits them
20 about the streets hatless, and at any
OF day you may meet them with
tltiful, glossy black hair hanging down
backs in wild disorder, drying in the
1. \ noticeable air of neatness per-
les everything in Guatemala city, from
well-swept streets to the freshly stuc-
"a walls. Even the huts of the poorest
remarkably clean, and in no back al
ean you find such filth and squalor as
evails in certain quarters of New Y Ork
y. Tramps are unknown, and beggars
seldom seen, except around the
urch doors. 1t seems as if nine tenths
The people are servants of the govern
ent, in one capacity or another, and all
them in spick and span uniform with
le shiniest of buttons. Many public
forks are in progress, employing at least
thousand native laborers-who consid
20 cents day munifcent wages. There
alc number of young Americans here
aiming good wages as mechanics-and a
rew others who are out of a job and
longing on the employed Among the
liter are some reckless fellows whom the
l0lice regularly ''hold up when they are
lirfa1 nj ub and search for arms