The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
A GREAT ENTERPRISE.
Americans Secure Valuable Concessions
from venezuela.


One OF the greatest enterprises OF the
day is the American Deveiopment com
pany OF the United States, recently cnar-
tered by the Virginia Legislature, among
the incorporators Of which are many OF
our own citizens.
This company, through the Efforts or
Colonel Tazewell Elicit, OF TINS city, OF
Hon. Augustin Hillmond, OF Caracas, ana
others. has obtained from the Government
of Venezuela three most valuable con-
cessiOns. or franchises
The first is the exclusive privilege OF
electrifying and operating IN the city OF
Caracas. the capitai. and city. together
with its suburbs. OF 10000 population,
a system of street railways, which iran
chise is TO continue for ninety-nne years.
Second. A cattle concession. This con-
cessiOn grants To the cOncesslOnalres lhe
right for twenty-five years 10 cohuuSe
such a business in Venezuela as Is now
done bv the Chicago packing houses, ana
exempts from all duties of the republic
sucn materials and mfcnahulse 10 niaS
be imported into tho country by the cum
many i'm furtherance of its business. VEN
ezueIa IS a great cattle-growing country,
there heiuay some Il 10000 cattle, accord
ing to the last statistics. mi l.
Third 4 warehouse concession. rms ~
the exclusive privilege for twenty-five
Years Of establishing bonded warehouses
in the seven ports of entry OF the re-
public and is esteemed 10 be the most
Valuable of the concessions.
Americans have also obtained from the
Venezuelan Government concession los
tho United States Distilling Company, OF
which +. NJ. Rice. president OF the Amer
lean Spirits Manufacturing Company OF
New York. is president. and Hon. TaZe-
we'll Elicit. of this city, Is counsel. Inc
latter gentleman has already, SEVERN
times Visited Venezuela as counsel FOR
This company. 1t has the privilege 10
manufacture alcohol and all alcohoiic
products, and Is also exempted from the
pavment Of all imposts and other taxes;
besides having many other Naluaole anu
lished in various portions OF the repuDhc.
The company has paid up STOCK OF
S. 100000 and has already begun snip
ming machines to Venezuela LOT the pur-
pose OF beginning work - once:
Venezuela comprises within its Dorders
,-O ono square miles. or an area greater
than the states of Ohio, Indiana, LIMOS
Kentucky Pennsylvania. New YORK. MIS-
souri, Kansas. Michigan. ana MlIneSota
combined and has population OF aoous
2 COO coo people. The larger proportion OF
these people are within two hundred miles
~ the coast the country back OF this
being cattle-grazing territory anu
therefore, but sparsely populated.
THE Venezuelan people are comprised
NJ two distinct classes-the Peon, or Ia
boring class. which constitutes ABOUT
threa-fnurfhs Of the population. Is COM
posed OF civilized Indians. negroes. and q
mixture OF the two. They are the most
amiable and docle race 10 be met with
anywhere. and. under proper DIRECTION
make fine laborers.
Tho other class Is composed or the edu-
Gated and wealthy portion of the popula-
ZION They are. az rule highly edu-
Gated. and peculiarly polite and anahle.
especially go 10 FOREIGNERS, ana. AZ thls
.imo they are excessively demonstr0tlVe
a., .boir fondness FOR and attention 20
Americans. General Joaquin Crespo; the
President. and all Of his Cabinet have
oxnreseod their earnest solictude n enter
into and foster more intimate and close
,an,r,ercfoI relations with the United
c c,n,ns ~ America ana its citizens.