The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-11
PROGRESS DOWN IN MEXICO.
OLD Ell DORADAN GOVERNOR
OF TEPIC.
He and His Private Secretary Now
Whiting Their Old Home,
Placervi1le.

Lieutenant Governor King OF the Ier-
ritory of Topic, Jalisco, Mexico, and his
Private Secretary, w. e. Dodge, were
visiting friends in this city yesterday
and last evening left for Placerville,
their old home
Governor King left Ell Dorado County
for Mexico eighteen years ago, and the
years have been kind to him, owing to
his superior push and energy. His wlfe
is a daughter of the Governor Of Jallsco
and "a niece OF President Diaz.
Mr. Dodge, in conversation with
Record Union" reporter, said that
Governor King has 10000 acres OF
land in Topic, which, among other
things, is rich in broad veins Of low
grade silver ore. One of the reasons
for making the trip to this State was
to purchase the necessary machinery
for opening the mines, and this has
been bought in San Francisco at cost
Of 100000.
American prospectors, Mr.. Dodge said,
are beginning to realize that the ore
deposits of JaliscO promise handsome
return for labor expended, and many
are going there. When he first went
to the State the poems were hostile TO
Americans, whose lives were not safe,
but at the present time life and prop
erty are as safe as in California. Inc
laws of the country are very strict, anu
to that cause is due the rapid advance
ment of the Territory of Topic, as we'll
as the whole Mexican. republic.
Governor King, Mr.. Dodge said, has
a rubber plantation which is the source
of a vast income, and he estimates that
the yield of rubber this season will be
100 tons, and as pure rubber is worth
from 40 to go cents per pound the in
come from the plantation may be easily
calculated The popular opinion that
marsh land is the only place where the
rubber tree thrives is, Mr.. Dodge says,
a mistake. The tree grows at attitudes
as high as 5000 feet, but does better
at lower levels Plenty Of water is
necessary for the trees, but as from
100 to 40 inches of rain fall in Topic
annually, there is no need of irr1ga-
ton.
The country, Mr.. Dodge says, is
healthy, except along the lowlands OF
the coast, where in the hot seasons
there is considerable fever. Yellow fever
sometimes appears, but in the mount
ain districts such visitations are I'M
known. While the Territory of Topic
has at present no railway communica-
ton with other sections of the republic,
it is expected that a line will shortly
be put through, which will insure prof
liable returns for working the low
grade ore bodies and from other indus
tries.
The schools of Topic, Mr.. Dodge says.
are on par with those of the United
States. The republic is progressive,
and in the schools English, as we'll as
Spanish, is taught by provision Of law.
It is nothing unusual to meet children
on the streets who speak English.
Touching on the political complexion
of Mexico, Mr.. Dodge said that, regard
less of the general demand that Presi-
dent Diaz continue in office, he is much
averse to doing so on account of his
age. In case he should decide to lay
down the reins of Office, the honor will
probably fall to Mariscal who has for
many years been a pupil of the Presi-
dent. and who will, if elected, continue
his policy. Mariscal is we'll known, not
only in Mexico but in the United States,
and has on many occasions represented
his country at Washington.
Governor King will remain in Placer
vile some time before returning to his
Mexican home.