MEXICO. 



655 



systems of Mexico and the United States, urg- 

 ing Hint Midi ii .-tcp would bo likely to facilitate 

 another invasion from the latter; but Seflor 

 Cafledo, a deputy of considerable distinct inn, 

 and well acquainted with Aincricau atlairs, 

 commended American skill and enterprise, and 

 tliu policy nf pivfi rrinir Airiericans as con- 

 structors of Mexican railways. The Mexican 

 company, however, having failed to file at the 

 time ti\.'.l therefor April 80, 1874 a bond 

 l\>r the faithful execution of their contract, the 

 lent declared the concession forfeited; 

 the organization of the company was formally 

 - >'tl ; and the Congress was adjourned on 

 May 31st, without granting any new ctmces- 

 aion. So the subject of new railways in the 

 republic was once more, and indefinitely, post- 

 poned. 



The reason assigned for the non-complinnco 

 of the company with the terms of the conces- 

 sion was the impossibility to negotiate the 

 requisite loans in Europe. 



There are twenty-four regular lines of dili- 

 gences established between the principal towns 

 of the republic. Merchandise is mostly carried 

 by mules at an immense expenditure of time 

 and money. The lack of good roads in a 

 country whose topographical structure de- 

 prives it of navigable rivers, seriously retards 

 its material development and prosperity. Largo 

 sums were appropriated in 1878 for new high- 

 ways, and for repairs on such as already exist. 

 A net-work of telegraph-wires, 4,345 miles in 

 length, in 1874 embraced all the States but 

 Chihuahua, Sonora, and Chiapas, and 655 miles 

 more were in process of construction. The 

 Central Government owns 1,575 miles of the 

 line, and State governments 605 miles. 



The army comprises 22,387 men, viz. : 15,407 

 foot, 5,140 horse, 1,463 artillery, and 377 coast- 

 guards and invalids. The estimated total ex- 

 penditure for the War Department in 1872-'73 

 was $10,252,522.32, which would include an 

 extraordinary appropriation of $2,628,239.50. 



Public instruction is in a comparatively 

 prosperous condition; the number of schools 

 is steadily increasing, through the liberal ap- 

 propriations of the central and the various 

 state governments for the development of the 

 system, and the cooperation of private indi- 

 viduals. The following institutes in the city 

 of Mexico are supported by the Central Gov- 

 ernment: an advanced school for girls, pre- 

 paratory school, and schools of law, medicine, 

 agriculture, engineering, fine arts, commerce, 

 and arts and trades; besides which there were 

 in 1873 in the whole Federal District 338 schools 

 of all grades, 103 being for females, and the 

 total attendance being 22,407, of whom 8,773 

 are females. 



Among these schools were twelve under the 

 jurisdiction of the Lancasterian company, six 

 under that of the Benevolent Society, the 

 schools of the Foundling Hospital and other 

 charitable institutions, private schools to the 

 number of 100, and three for adults, with 248 



pupils, 148 of whom were females. In the 

 other States there were 8,682 public schools, 

 of which 8,498 were male primary, and 29 male 

 ^r i ;un mar-schools; the total attendance of all 

 of tin-in was 106,864, of whom 19,694 were 

 females. The number of public schools for 

 adults was 28, with 986 male and 76 female 

 pupils; and that of the literary institutes 16, 

 with 2,498 students. 



The first session of the seventh Congress 

 terminated on January 21, 1874. Wo here 

 transcribe the more important portions of the 

 PivMdent's message to that body before its 

 adjournment : 



Citizen Deputle: In the first period of our ses- 

 sions you have considered subjects of great impor- 

 tance, which you have decided to the advantage of 

 the republic. The long-pending treaties which the 

 Executive celebrated with the King of Italy, concern- 

 ing commerce and extradition, have been approved 

 by Congress, and will soon be ratified in order to go 

 into operation as a low of the Union. The friendly 

 relations which fortunately exist between the two 

 countries will be thereby rendered more intimate. 



The great work which cost such bloody sacrifices, 

 the laws of reform,* having definitively received 

 constitutional sanction, now form an integral part of 

 our institutions. This act, of the highest impor- 

 tance for the Mexican people, will ever be a title of 

 glory for the seventh constitutional Congress. 



The intelligent discussion which has continued 

 during your session upon some other reforms in the 

 fundamental compact gives reason to hope that they 

 may soon be terminated, aiding not only to perfect 

 our system, but also to further develop the practice 

 of liberal principles. Congress having scrutinized 

 the popular election of magistrates of the Supreme 

 Court of Justice, the highest tribunal of the Union, 

 to which the laws concede such high attributes, has 

 been duly completed. The judicial organization in 

 Lower California was insufficient for the vast extent 

 of its territory, causing real damage to public inter- 

 ests. This evil has been remedied by the action of 

 Congress, in establishing the new tribunals found 

 necessary for so noble an object. 



The subsidy granted to the steamship line be- 

 tween Vera Cruz and New York having been re- 

 newed by Congress, this important means of com- 

 munication will continue to exist, and will afford 

 new advantages to commerce, and greater facilities 

 for the movement of passengers between the ex- 

 treme and intermediate points of that interesting 

 line. 



A new line of steamers between Vera Cruz and 

 Havana, which is to touch at several ports of the 

 Gulf, having also been subsidized by another decree, 

 tiiis line will efficiently serve to stimulate our mer- 

 cantile relations with the island of Cuba and the ex- 

 portation of our valuable national products. 



The modifications made in the law of real-estate 

 contributions have remedied defects shown by ex- 

 perience. Some disadvantages for the tax-payer 

 have thus been abolished without damage to our 

 fiscal interests. The admitted propriety of extend- 

 ing to a greater number of localities the benefits of 

 the telesrraph inspired Congress with the resolution 

 of establishing new telegraphic lines from Michoacan 

 to Guadalajara and the ports of Mnnznnillo and San 

 Bias, as also from San Luis to Zacatccas and Duran- 

 go. The utility of these measures is unquestionable, 

 as is also that of the decree for the canalization be- 

 tween the lagoons of Chijol and Tamiahua, in the 

 State of Vera Cruz. These communications will de- 

 velop an important trade. Among other beneficent 

 measures taken by Congress, that relating to a road 



* Separation of Church and State. 



