The Central Transit—Magnificent Enterprise for Texas and Mexico [pp. 184-195]

THE CENTRAL TRANSIT.
which may be used instead of culverts. The lumber for the bridge
over the Rio Grande can be taken by steamboat up that river,
Where other bridges may be needed, too large to be built of mesquite
timber, stone of excellent quality, easily wrought, may be conveniently had. On the table-lands hard pine may be used for cross-ties,
and on the western slope the redwood is abundant. The transportation of the iron would present the greatest difficulty. That for
the eastern part may be imported through Aransas bay, and as mnuch
as may be desired may be sent around the Horn to Mazatlan, If
great despatch were required a part might be sent up the Rio
Grande and distributed each way. With money at command, the
time necessary to build the whole road of six hundred and fifty miles,
from tide to tide, with greatest eeonomy, counting interest at six per
cent. per annum, would not exceed five years. Any amount of
Mexican labor may be had at very low rates; and these docile people do excellent work under proper guidance, The Mexican co,mpany have the privilege of introducing iron and all other materials
for building and working the road, and all necessary agents and laborers, free of duty or impost forever.
In view of the foregoing facts, well authenticated by reference to
approved maps, by personal inspection, and by reliable information,
the cost of building a single track, with proper sidings, from Corpus
Christi to Mazatlan, cannot be estimated at over twenty thousand
dollars per mile, including a sufficiency of rolling stock to do a paying business.'Ilhis gives the cost, from tide to tide, at thirteen millions of dollars; and it may be safely assumed that fifteen millions
will suffice to put the whole line in operation, from the harbor of
Aransas bay to that at Mazatlan, including interest. But detailed
estimates, based on special instrumental surveys, are needed. These
surveys should be made by men of known ability, uninfluenced by
the interests of existing companies, or by local prejudices. It would
seem eminently proper that the government of the United States
should have this survey made as the complement of those elaborate
and valuable Pacific railroad surveys heretofore made under the direction of the Secretary of War. It is well understood that the authorities of Mexico would cordially co-operate in such a work.
Objection may be made to the investment of capital in that part
of the road within Mexico, on account of the instability of government tl-here. The immense advantages to that country of such a.
thoroughfare, would incline enlightened rulers to give it all possible
protection; and it is known that the liberal policy of Governor
Vidaurri especially favors it. A company undertaking such an enterprise would carry with it much moral power, and its employes
would necessarily be numerous enough to give efficient security
against all minor interruptions. But if need be, the rights and
property of such company may well be placed, by treaty stipulations,
under the protection of our government or that of Great Britain.
Would this work pay good dividends to stockholders? This is
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