Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1900-03-24
THE LEADING CITY.
A, [. ChamberIin Visits Albuquer-
que and Gives His Views,
NE WRITES AN INTERESTING LETTER

\. l.. Chamberlin, who visited AL
buquerque, has written a very inter-
esung letter to his home paper, the
Lebanon, New Hampshire, Free
Press. The letter IL here published
in full:
The territory Of New Mexico is Of
great extent when compared with our
New England states. 1t extends from
Colorado on the north to old Mexico
and Texas on the south, a vast region
OF lofty mountains and broad plains.
The altitude varies from 1000 to h.OVO
feet, the general average being about
5000 above sea level. The southern
line OF the territory is very nearly in
the same latitude as the northern line
OF Florida. 1t Is rather sparsely set
tied, except along the lines of railroad,
and the population consists mostly OF
Mexicans.
To those afflicted with lung and
throat diseases, New Mexico offers
very favorable climatic conditions.
Dry, asceptic air, light atmospheric
pressure, "a minimum Of sunshine and
minimum of cloud, the soil of a dry,
porous nature and the variations Of
temperature slight. There Is very lit
tie rainfall during the year, slight hu-
mildly In the atmosphere, and fogs
are entirely unknown.
Albuquerque Is the leading city and
commercial center Of the southwest.
IL is located In the Rio Grande val
ley, on the main line of the Atchison,
Topeka Il Santa Fe railway, at its
junction with the Santa Fe Pacific
railroad, is built on the sunny slope OF
a broad plain, with high mountain
ranges ON the east and south, at a dis
lance OF about 10 miles. 1t contains
about 1900 inhabitants, one-half or
more being Mexlcans.
The altitude OF the city Is 1895 feet.
Its location, neal the center OF the
vast rainless districts and it's remote
ness from any large body OF water,
gives il an atmosphere almost totally
devoid OF moisture. and Its altitude,
latitude, and other favorable conditions
| cause It to have about the purest ali
/ N the world. Fresh meat may be
hung up IN the sun here without fear OF
becoming tainted, but will be cured
and preserved sound and sweet.
The city Is divided into two sections
or parts. the "old town" and the new
town" The old town was settled soon
after the Spanish invasion OF Mexico,
or centuries ago. II has many ancient
buildings, among them the church OF
san Felipe, nearly as old as the town
Itself.
The inhabitants there are nearly all
Mexicans. and their dwellings, places
Of business. etc, are all built of"adobe'
or brick made of a mixture OF clay and
straw dried In the sun. 1t is a very
quaint old place to visit n Is built
near the banks OF the Rio Grande
river.
The new town had lts beginning
with the advent of the Atchlson. To-
peka 4 Santa Fe railroad. and was
"staked out in 1880. IL is situated q
mile and a half from the river and
the old settlement, but Is connected
by a long street leading from one &c
the other. and by a street railway
The new town Ii well built, with broad
streets and many fine buildings. among
the finest being the University OF New
Mexico. and the Commercial club build
ing. The latter was erected a year oI
two ago at a cost Of 100000. II hat
many fine rooms, a large library, and
the traveller and stranger In town re-
ceives a cordial welcome.
one could write chapters about th'
fine scenery and points of interes'
here, but as I have already taken al
much OF your space as l ought, VII
bring my letter to a close.
Very truly yours,
A. l.. CHAMBERLAIN.