The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-25
ROCA IS A STRONG MAN.
Concluded from Ninth Page.

tinuous stream of water is filtering through
them, so that they contain much more than
this amount in a day. 1t was charged
that there was big job in this building,
and that the government officials who Sc
cured tho contract were able to put in the
neighborhood of $1,O00,0OO into their own
pockets.
There has also been considerable jobbery
in government railroads, am told, and, in
deed. the government finds that it cannot
afford to hold on to it's railroad property.
There are annually deficits where there
should be dividends The lines are rapidly
passing into the hands of the English.
Those which are still controlled by the gov
eminent have such poor rolling stock that
the private companies will not allow gov
eminent cars to pass over their rails They
prefer to transship. Appointments on the
government railways are commonly made
without regard to efficiency or previous ex-
perience. Politicians after a job apply for
the places. One prominent man recently
asked to be made assistant manager of the
Central Argentine system He was ques-
toned as to his experience. He replied
that he knew all about the railroad, for he
had travelled over it as a passenger several
times.
The government lines are generally in bad
condition. All sorts of jokes are made
concerning them, a common charge being
that they should put cow catchers on the
rear of the trains to keep cattle from run
ming over them. The private lines, on the
other hand. make, money. They are well
managed and economically run
THE MATTER OF JUSTICE.
Theoretically the judicial system of the
Argentine Republic is a beautiful one. There
is a Supreme Court of five judges, which
is also Court of Appeal. There is an at
torney general, who is supposed to bring
criminals to the bar, and there are a num-
Der of inferior and local courts. According
to the Constitution trial by jury must be
given in criminal cases. and each State
has it's own judicial system. In 1895 1850
criminal cases were tried in Buenos Ayres,
and there were during this year fourteen
thousand arrests for breaches of the peace.
You find policemen on every corner in the
Argentine capital. They are well-dressed,
carrying swords. with which they are ready
to cut down any one who resists them. On
opera nights a company of mounted police
upon prancing steeds guards the streets
leading to the opera house, and generally
you will find that order in Buenos Ayres is
well kept as in any city of the world.
The matter of police appointment. how
ever. is one of political influence,
and the police are very careful whom they
arrest One of the distinguidos, or upper
class of young men, may get as drunk as
he pleases and it is rare that he will be
arrested. while a poor Italian or Spaniard
will be quickly taken to Jail. In the courts
the rich stand a much better chance than
10 of,
judges. but the man who will accept bride
is in the majority. Prominent Argentines
are awarded the preference in the courts
where the matter of right is at all equally
balanced, and as rule the man who sees
the judge first has the best chance of a de-
cision in his favor. There is no lack of
lawyers. for the young Argentnes of good
families as a rule adopt the law as a pro-
fession. many of them not expecting to
practice, but only to have the title Of doctor
before their names. There are some that
are very good at the law and many have
large incomes from this source
Speaking of the morality of high Argen-
tine officials 1 heard the other day story
of President Celman in connection with the
national bank, of which have already writ
ten. The influence of the President was
such that a note from him would usually
result in the holder getting the loan. The
President was overwhelmed with such re-
quests. some coming from men whose ILL
will he could not afford to have. He never
refused to grant such favors. He would re-
ceive the men cordially. and tell them they
could have the money. He would even write
a letter to the directors of the bank saw
ing: y know this man is all right. and
wish you would grant him the loan" He
would sign such letter, and the man would