The Washington times., 1902-01-04
Railroad Construction.

[ part.
| Railroad Construction,
at may be first noted that the great
est change in the face of the country
OF geographic character has been the
construction of an extensive system OF
| railroads. The first thing which strikes
a visitor TO-DAY who knew Mexico a quar-
ter OF a century ago is the facility and
comfort with which the journey to the
| City of Mexico is now made.
In 1873 the only regular means of COM
| muhIcatlon was by steamer from New
| York, which departed every three weeks,
and which occupied twelve TO fourteen
| days to reach Vera Cruz. From that port
| TO the City of Mexico railroad had then
Just been finished. which, although but
/ 26f miles long, had been nineteen years
| in building
| To-day four lines OF railroad enter the
Mexican Republic from the United States,
| and one can make the journey in five
| days from Washington to the City OF
| Mexico. The era of extensive railroad
| building did not begin until after General
Diaz had been firmly seated in the presi-
dency. There are now completed and in
operation approximately 10000 miles of
/ railroad, and by these lines the City Of
Mexico is connected with all the import
ant cities of the country
Public Peace and Order.
The establishment of railroad com
munlcation and the ramification of the
telegraph throughout the length ard
breadth of the country have not only
brought new life and activity to the com
merce and industries, but they have had
a most salutary effect upon public order.
Before this new epoch it was very
possible not only for bandits and outlaws
TO maintain themselves in the mountain
businesses and remote regions, but for
revolutions to be hatcted and grow into
formidable proportions. owing to the in
ability of the Government to concentrate
troops. Now every part of the Republic
IS within easy reach OF the Federal au-
thority-
improvements of the Capital,
THE evidences of progress and prosper
ity are to be seen on every hand in the
City Of Mexico. The streets are more
crowded than formerly the foreigners are
more numerous, and among these Amer
leans predominant.
In the central part of the city the
shops have been enlarged and multiplied.
constructed Of steel and marble. with
electric elevators and all modern appli-
ances. new and expensive general hos
pitai has been built and new penften-
tiary as perfect as the advance in humapc |
study can make it.
The foundations of Hall of Congress, |
which promises to be an imposing edi- |
flee, are now being laid, and appropria- |
tinns have been made for a new depart |
ment pCstotice and other public buildings !
The Government has taken the lead in |
the era Of reconstruction.
Diaz's Good management.
"Thc most conspicuous evidence OF the |
good effects of the management Of affairs |
by General Diaz is seen in the financial |
condition Of the country. both official and
private. The rigid enforcement of peace |
and security sOon began to bear fruit in |
a marked improvement in financial af-
fairs ana an increase cf revenue. This |
increase in the revenue also enabled the
Cove rnmcnt to take another important
step to wit. the adoption of complete
revision of the system of taxation
The protective system prevails in
Mexico, the tariff on imports being regu-
lated with a view to securing reye-
nue. and to stimulate and protect domes-
tic industries. Under this system manu- |
features have shared largely in the gen
eral prosperity Of the country, and have
greatly Increased in production and yari-
ETY.. the chief attention being given to the
manufacture of cotton fabrics"