CENTRAL AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
1886.
EXTENT OF THE COUNTRY—CLIMATE—MOUNTAINS AND
VOLCANOES—EARTHQUAKES—RIVERS AND LAKES—COSTA RICA'S AREA,
POSSESSIONS, AND POLITICAL DIVISION AND GOVERNMENT—HER
CHIEF CITIES—NICARAGUA, HER TERRITORY, TOWNS, AND MUNICIPAL
ADMINISTRATION—HONDURAS' EXTENT, ISLANDS, CITIES, AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT—SALVADOR, HER POSITION, AREA, TOWNS, AND
CIVIL RULE—GUATEMALA'S EXTENT AND POSSESSIONS—HER CITIES
AND TOWNS—INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION—ISTHMUS OF PANAMÁ—AREA,
BAYS, RIVERS, AND ISLANDS—DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT
RULE—THE CAPITAL AND OTHER TOWNS—POPULATION—CHARACTER AND
CUSTOMS—EDUCATION—EPIDEMICS AND OTHER CALAMITIES.
Central America proper embraces the region situated between the state
of Chiapas in the republic of Mexico on the north, and the former
state, now department, of Panamá on the south, extending from about
latitude 7° to 18° north, in length from 800 to 900 miles, and in
breadth varying from about 30 to about 300 miles. The united area
of the five republics comprised therein is about 175,000 square
miles.[XXVII-1]
[Sidenote: PHYSICAL FEATURES.]
The climate of this region on the Atlantic coast is about the same
as that of the West Indies, somewhat modified by various causes. The
Atlantic coast from Trujillo downward, including the Mosquito region,
is low and insalubrious. That of the Pacific coast is better in every
respect, the heat not being so oppressive, which is due to a drier and
purer atmosphere. The result is, that while the coasts on the Atlantic
are nearly uninhabited, those on the Pacific are lined with towns and
well settled.
Beginning with Guatemala, and going southward, in Los Altos, the
highlands of the republic, the average temperature is lower than
anywhere else. Snow falls occasionally near Quezaltenango, but soon
disappears. The heat is never excessive.[XXVII-2] In the vicinity of
the city of Guatemala, the thermometer ranges from 55° to 80° with an
average of 72°. In Vera Paz, the north-eastern department, it is nearly
10° warmer. The whole coast from Belize down to Izabal and Santo Tomás
is hot and unhealthy.[XXVII-3] The state of Salvador, lying entirely
on the Pacific slope, has probably a higher average temperature than
Guatemala or Honduras; but the heat is oppressive only at some points
on the coast.[XXVII-4] Honduras has a fine climate, excepting the
portion spoken of on the coast of the Atlantic.[XXVII-5] Nicaragua,
with the exception of her department of Segovia, which borders on
Honduras and has the same surface and temperature, has a topography
and climate of her own, with an average temperature in the lake region
of about 79° to 80°, due more to favorable causes than to elevation.
In Costa Rica there is almost every degree of temperature, from the
intensest heat of Puntarenas to the constant spring of San José, or
the autumnal temperature of the belt above Cartago. The coast from
Chiriquí lagoon to the north is hot, wet, and unhealthy.[XXVII-6]
Properly speaking, there is no dry season on the Atlantic coast of
Central America. However, from June to September, inclusive, there is
less rainfall on the Atlantic side. During these months the Pacific
slope has its rainy season, but the rains are brief, occurring in the
afternoon and night.[XXVII-7]
At a short distance from the Pacific coast the country is
traversed from north-west to south-east by an unbroken chain of
mountains,[XXVII-8] at least to Nicaragua Lake, and covered with
diversified vegetation. This cordillera is a connecting chain between
the Rocky Mountains of the northern, and the Andes of the southern,
continent.[XXVII-9] On the slopes and summits are fine table-lands,
some of which are quite extensive, and all temperate and surpassingly
fertile. It may be asserted that no portion of the earth presents a
greater diversity of level on an equal extent of surface than Central
America, or a greater variety of climate.
The majority of the highest peaks are volcanoes, and no less than
thirty volcanic vents are said to be in activity. Extinct craters,
rent rocks, lava beds, scoriæ, vitrified, charred, and pumice stones,
hot and sulphurous springs, mark Central America as a most volcanic
region.[XXVII-10]
[Sidenote: HISTORIC EARTHQUAKES.]
In a region abounding with volcanoes, and where great convulsions of
nature have taken place, earthquakes—violent ones, at times—frequently
occur.[XXVII-11] The great shocks experienced by the city of Guatemala
in 1751, 1757, 1765, and the one of 1773, which caused the abandonment
of the old site, have been elsewhere mentioned.[XXVII-12] The year 1809
was noted for a succession of violent temblores, causing much distress
among the inhabitants of Guatemala and Honduras, and doing much damage,
particularly in the latter state.[XXVII-13] Since that time the five
republics have constantly had such visitations, causing at times loss
of life and damage to property. I give in a note a number of such
occurrences.[XXVII-14] The Isthmus of Panamá has likewise repeatedly
experienced the effects of earthquakes, some of which have created much
alarm and injured property.[XXVII-15]
[Sidenote: LAKES AND RIVERS.]
From the lofty sierras and volcanic cones descend streams, which,
meeting on the plains below, form beautiful lakes, or swell into rivers
that roll on to either ocean. They are numerous, and though not of
great length, because of the narrowness of the region they traverse,
are by no means insignificant.[XXVII-16] The country has several lakes,
some of which have occupied the attention of scientists, statesmen, and
merchants, and I will have occasion to treat of them in connection with
interoceanic communication and commerce farther on.[XXVII-17]
* * * * *
The republic of Costa Rica is that portion of Central America extending
between Nicaragua and Panamá, and having on one side the Pacific Ocean,
and on the other the Atlantic.[XXVII-18] Costa Rica has the islands of
Colon, San Cristóbal, Bastimento, La Popa, and others in Boca del Toro;
the Escudo de Veragua in the Atlantic, the Cocos, Caño, San Lúcas, and
Chira in the Pacific; these latter two and smaller ones lying within
the gulf of Nicoya.
The political division of the republic is in provincias and
comarcas;[XXVII-19] namely, provincias of San José, Cartago, Alajuela,
Heredia, and Guanacaste, and the comarcas of Puntarenas and Limon. The
provincias and comarcas are alike divided into cantones, and the latter
subdivided into barrios. At the head of each provincia and comarca
is a governor, and of each canton a jefe político, all of executive
appointment. The police department is under the governor, unless, in
special cases, the supreme government should assume the immediate
control over it in certain localities. Each provincial capital has
a municipal corporation,[XXVII-20] acting, like the governors and
other subordinate authorities, under the general ordinances, made and
provided for the government of the whole republic.
The cities of the republic are San José, Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela,
Liberia, Puntarenas, and Limon. There are, besides, seven or eight
villas, and nine or ten pueblos.[XXVII-21]
The republic of Nicaragua, probably the most important section
of Central America, is bounded on the south by Costa Rica, on the
north-west by Honduras, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the
south-west by the Pacific.[XXVII-22] Nicaragua has a few insignificant
isles or cays on her coasts of both oceans.
[Sidenote: POLITICAL DIVISIONS.]
The republic is politically divided into seven departments; namely,
Granada, Leon, Rivas, Chinandega, Chontales, Matagalpa, and Nueva
Segovia. Their capitals or head towns are respectively Granada,
Leon, Rivas, Chinandega, Acoyapa, Matagalpa, and Ocotal.[XXVII-23]
The departments are subdivided into distritos, and the latter into
cantones. For the purposes of civil administration there is a prefect
at the head of each department, who is also a subdelegado of the
treasury; a subprefect rules over each district, and the cantones have
jueces de paz.[XXVII-24] These officials are appointed by the executive
government. The capitals of departments and head towns of districts
and cantones have elective alcaldes, and regidores constituting
the municipal corporations.[XXVII-25] In each department there is a
gobernador de policía, who likewise derives his appointment from the
national executive.
[Sidenote: NOTABLE CITIES.]
The principal cities of the republic are Granada, Managua, Masaya,
Leon, Rivas, and Chinandega. Managua was an insignificant town, but
being situated between Granada and Leon, was made the national capital,
in order that the government might be rid of the complications arising
from their constant rivalry, and intrigues to control the destinies
of Nicaragua. The position of the capital is a splendid one, the
surroundings being very picturesque.[XXVII-26] The streets are not
paved; the town has not a building worthy of mention. The government
house is a low, square edifice, with balconies in the old Spanish
style, without any exterior ornamentation or architectural character,
Leon, the old capital, is situated on a beautiful plain, and spreads
over a very wide area.[XXVII-27] In the central part the streets are
paved and lighted. There are some fine buildings in the city, those
most worthy of notice being the cathedral, a strong piece of masonry,
often used as a fortress in times of civil war, the old and new
episcopal palaces, the university, government house, two churches of
greater architectural beauty than the cathedral, four buildings which
were formerly convents, and now devoted to objects of public utility.
The place being in the region of earthquakes, and the temperature
extremely warm, the buildings are made to meet these conditions. There
is also a fine stone bridge, which García Jerez had constructed. Near
Leon, and with only the width of a street from it, is Subtiaba, which
has a separate municipality, and whose church is the largest, after
the cathedral, and the oldest of the temples in Nicaragua.[XXVII-28]
I give in a note some information on other cities deserving of special
notice.[XXVII-29]
The republic of Honduras is bounded on the north and east by the bay of
Honduras and the Caribbean Sea, extending from the mouth of the River
Tinto to the mouth of the Wanks or Segovia. On the south it is bounded
by Nicaragua—the line of division following the Wanks for about two
thirds of its length, and thence deflecting to the south-west, to the
sources of the Rio Negro, flowing into the gulf of Fonseca; it has a
coast line of about sixty miles on this gulf from the Rio Negro to the
Rio Goascorán. On the west and south-west are the republics of Salvador
and Guatemala.[XXVII-30]
Honduras possesses in the gulf of Fonseca the islands Tigre, Zacate
Grande, and Gueguensi; and in the Caribbean Sea the group known as Bay
Islands; namely, Roatan, Guanaja, or Bonaca, Utila, Helena, Barbaretta,
Morat, and other smaller isles.
The republic is politically divided into seven departments: Choluteca,
Comayagua, Gracias, Olancho, Santa Bárbara, Tegucigalpa, and Yoro.
Nacaome is the capital of Choluteca, and Jutecalpa of Olancho. The
other capitals bear the same names as the departments to which they
belong. The departments are subdivided into districts, and at the head
of each of the former is a jefe político, appointed by the executive,
who is the organ of communication between the supreme government and
the people.[XXVII-31]
[Sidenote: TOWNS AND HOUSES.]
The principal cities in the republic are Comayagua, anciently called
Valladolid, the former capital, and Tegucigalpa, the present seat of
government. The former is on the right bank of the Humuya or Ulúa
River, and on the southern border of the wide and fertile valley
of Comayagua. From its position, upwards of 2,000 feet above the
sea-level, surrounded by high mountains, its temperative is mild
and equable. The political disturbances of the country have reduced
Comayagua to a low condition,[XXVII-32] and the loss of its standing as
the capital has tended to bring it down still lower. Most of the houses
are of a single story, and built of sundried bricks. The former fine
fountains, monuments, and public buildings have gone to decay. The only
building still in good condition is the cathedral, which is a rather
imposing edifice.[XXVII-33] Tegucigalpa enjoys a cool temperature,
and has an excellent climate. The city is the largest and finest in
the republic. It is built with regularity, and has six churches, the
parochial edifice comparing favorably with the cathedral at Comayagua.
There are also a number of magnificent convents, and the university
also deserves mention.[XXVII-34] There are other places in the state
not entirely devoid of interest, a few particulars about which I append
in a note.[XXVII-35]
The republic of Salvador, the only one of Central America not having
a coast line on the Atlantic, is bounded on the north and east by
Honduras, on the south-east by Fonseca Bay, on the south by the Pacific
Ocean, and on the north-west by Guatemala.[XXVII-36] It possesses
the small islands called Punta Zacate, Martin Perez, Conchagüita, and
Mianguera in the bay of Fonseca.
For the purposes of government the republic is divided into fourteen
departments; namely, San Salvador, Cuscatlán, San Vicente, La
Paz, Usulután, San Miguel, Gotera,[XXVII-37] La Union, Cabañas,
Chalatenango, Santa Ana, Ahuachapan, Sonsonate, and La Libertad. The
departments are subdivided into districts, and the latter into cities,
villas, pueblos, and aldeas. The chief towns of the departments bear
the same names as the latter, excepting those of Cuscatlán, La Paz,
Gotera, La Union, Cabañas, and La Libertad, which are respectively
called Cojutepeque, Zacatecoluca, Osicala, San Cárlos, Sensuntepeque,
and Nueva San Salvador. They all have the rank of cities. Chinameca,
Jucuapa, Ilobasco, Suchitoto, Metapan, and Izalco enjoy the same
distinction. There are, besides, about 36 villas, and 176 pueblos.
[Sidenote: MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS.]
At the head of each department is placed a governor, who has a
substitute to fill the office in his absence, both being appointed
by the national executive for a constitutional term. They may be
impeached for misdemeanors in office before the senate.[XXVII-38]
The alcaldes of district head towns are the chief authorities of
their respective districts, and like the alcaldes of other towns, are
subordinate to the governor. In the event of absence or disability of
an alcalde, the regidor depositario assumes his duties pro tempore.
Alcaldes are represented in distant country places by comisionados
of their own appointment. Each town has for its internal management
a municipal corporation chosen by the direct votes of the citizens,
and consisting of one alcalde, one síndico, and from two to six
regidores, according to population.[XXVII-39] Such corporations act
under the general ordinances provided for the government of municipal
districts.[XXVII-40]
The principal cities are San Salvador, San Miguel, Santa Ana, which
has been the capital, Cojutepeque, which has also been the seat of
government, Sonsonate, Zacatecoluca, San Vicente, Sensuntepeque,
Chalatenango, Santa Rosa, Ahuachapán, and Santa Tecla or Nueva San
Salvador.
San Salvador was first founded at a place now called Bermuda, about
eighteen miles to the northward of the present site. During the
Spanish domination it was the residence of the gobernador intendente.
After the separation from the Spanish crown it became the capital of
Salvador, and for a while was the federal district, and seat of the
Central American government. The city, as I have stated elsewhere,
has been repeatedly shattered by earthquakes, but in each instance
rebuilt, notwithstanding efforts to abandon the site. Both the town
and its position are beautiful. It is in the midst of a broad elevated
plateau in the coast range, between the valley of the Lempa River and
the Pacific Ocean, 2,115 feet above the sea.[XXVII-41] The place has
a cathedral, and other churches, a national palace, a university, and
other government buildings. Excepting the central and paved park, San
Salvador is embowered in tropical fruit-trees.
San Miguel is justly considered the second city of Salvador. Its
houses have a home aspect, comfort in the interior, and elegance in the
exterior. It is supplied with water by an aqueduct. There are fountains
to refresh the air and to please the eye. Two iron bridges cross the
San Miguel River, said to have been constructed by Guzman at an expense
of $90,000 of his own money. Back of the town is the majestic volcano
of San Miguel. In the bay of Fonseca is the excellent port of La Union,
to the west that of La Libertad, and beyond that of Acajutla at a short
distance from Sonsonate and the Izalco volcano.
The republic of Guatemala is bounded on the north and west by the
Mexican states of Yucatan and Chiapas; on the east by British Honduras,
the bay of Honduras, and the republics of Honduras and Salvador; and on
the south by the Pacific Ocean.[XXVII-42]
[Sidenote: DEPARTMENTAL GOVERNMENT.]
The state is divided for the purposes of civil government into
departments; namely, Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, Amatitlan, Escuintla,
Chimaltenango, Sololá, Totonicapan, Quiché, Quezaltenango, Retalhuleu,
Suchitepéquez, Huehuetenango, San Márcos, Peten, Baja Verapaz, Alta
Verapaz, Livingston Izabal, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Jalapa, Jutiapa, and
Santa Rosa.[XXVII-43] They are subdivided into municipalidades, each
of which forms regulations or ordinances for the management of its own
affairs, subject to approbation or amendment by the supreme government.
At the head of each department is a jefe politico, and some of them
likewise have a sub-jefe.
The general government makes its administrative action felt in the
departments. Down to 1879 the laws relating to civil administration in
them were not only confused, but contained clauses which were, some
of them, opposed to the principles of modern legislation, and others
directly contrary to the liberal and progressive system the nation had
adopted since 1871.[XXVII-44] Hence the necessity of prescriptions
consonant with the existing situation.[XXVII-45] A decree was also
issued to insure common principles and rules for the municipal
corporations.[XXVII-46] Under the new order of things, the sum total
of receipts by all the municipalities in 1883 was $530,040, and of
expenditures $489,422.[XXVII-47]
Guatemala, the capital, together with the whole republic, has had
its beauties more or less extolled by every foreign traveller who has
visited it and published a book, from 1822 to late years. These praises
were well deserved; but they fall short of what they now should be,
considering the improvements introduced by the energetic administration
of President Barrios, which placed it on a level with many cities of
greater pretensions and resources.[XXVII-48]
The city stands about 5,300 feet above the sea, upon a fertile
plateau traversed by the Rio de las Vacas, being almost surrounded
by ravines. It is laid out in wide, regular, well-paved, and clean
streets, forming right angles, and has extensive suburbs. The number
of houses is probably 5,000, most of them of one story. There is,
however, a considerable number with two stories. They are mostly
constructed with solidity and comfort, and many have fountains,
gardens, and courts.[XXVII-49] Besides the cathedral, archepiscopal
palace, government house, mint, and other public buildings, there
are several beautiful churches, and a number of fine and extensive
edifices, formerly occupied by religious orders, and now devoted
to practical uses.[XXVII-50] There are many reservoirs filled with
potable water, some of them of handsome construction, and surrounded
by beautiful grounds. Water is supplied the city by aqueducts from
a distance of several miles.[XXVII-51] Most of the houses also
have wells. The city is likewise well provided with educational and
benevolent establishments, as well as places of amusement, such as the
theatre and the hippodrome.[XXVII-52] From the Jocotenango ward to the
circus there is a fine boulevard along which runs the tramway from the
Calvary. The city will soon be in communication with Port San José by
railway, as it has long been by telegraph with the other chief towns.
The monkish, funereal appearance which Guatemala presented prior to
1871 has disappeared, being succeeded by a pleasing aspect of life. The
city police has been organized and equipped in American style, and the
body of men is second to none in Spanish America.[XXVII-53]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: PANAMÁ ISTHMUS.]
Panamá was formerly a state, but under a recent organization of the
republic of Colombia, has been reduced to the condition of a national
department. It lies partly between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific,
and is bounded on the south-east by the state of Cauca in the same
republic, and on the west by Costa Rica.[XXVII-54]
There are a number of islands belonging to the department, among
which are the Mulatas archipelago, the Pearl group, Coiba, Taboga,
and Flamenco.[XXVII-55] The range of mountains traversing the Isthmus
is a continuation of the Andes, but the elevation in some parts does
not exceed 300 feet above the sea. From this ridge flow about 150
streams into the Atlantic, and more than double that number into the
Pacific.[XXVII-56]
The state has been hitherto divided into departments; namely,
Panamá, Colon, Coclé, Chiriquí, Los Santos, and Veragua,[XXVII-57]
which are subdivided into distritos parroquiales. At the head of
the distrito capital and departamento de Panamá is a governor, and
the other departments have prefectos. Each distrito is under an
alcalde.[XXVII-58]
[Sidenote: BUILDINGS AND POPULATION.]
The city of Panamá is laid out with regularity, on a rocky peninsula,
presenting a fine appearance from the sea, as it stands out from the
dark hills inland with an air of grandeur. The Ancona hill 540 feet
high rising a mile westward of the city—helps to render the place
conspicuous. But on entering, the visitor finds himself disappointed.
The principal streets cross the peninsula from sea to sea, intersected
by the Calle Real, running east and west. The place has a quiet and
stately appearance, without promising comfort. The houses are mostly
of stone built in the Spanish style, the larger ones having heavy
balconies in the upper stories, with court-yards or patios. There is
little relief or variety.[XXVII-59] The smaller ones are of a single
story. The churches and public buildings, namely, the cathedral, casa
de la gobernacion, cabildo or town hall, ecclesiastical seminary,
and four convents for friars and one for nuns, were strongly built;
but years of neglect and the deteriorating effects of the climate
have brought many of them to decay; notwithstanding which some of the
ecclesiastical edifices are still used for the service of God, whilst
others, not utterly ruined, are applied to other purposes.[XXVII-60]
The place was at one time tolerably well fortified, but the
fortifications no longer exist; the south and west ramparts are,
however, in good condition forming an agreeable promenade. The drainage
is very bad; many necessary things to insure cleanliness and comfort
are wanting; good potable water being scarce and high-priced.[XXVII-61]
The city has enjoyed the benefit of gas light for several years
past, and since the construction of the canal was begun, it has
had many improvements introduced, among them a fine and spacious
hospital.[XXVII-62]
The place next in importance on the Isthmus is Colon, otherwise known
as Aspinwall, on the island of Manzanilla. It is the Atlantic port
of the Isthmus, and contains the stations, offices, and wharf of the
railway company, as well as those of the several steam-ship companies,
and likewise a number of buildings of the ship-canal enterprise. The
town was progressing rapidly, and had a number of fine modern buildings
other than those before mentioned, but it was ruined by the vandalic
act of revolutionists, which event has been elsewhere described in this
volume.[XXVII-63]
The official census of population in the Isthmus of Panamá for 1880
showed the number of inhabitants to have been 307,598.[XXVII-64] The
report laid by the state government before the assembly in September
1882 stated that the population had increased since 1880 to 343,782,
which was due to the influx of men employed on the canal-works. There
have been many fluctuations since. The proportion of negroes and
mixed breeds has ever been larger than the pure whites in the city
of Panamá and on the Caribbean Sea coast, and after the opening of
the canal-works it became greatly increased with laborers from the
coast to the south, Jamaica, etc., almost all being negroes. In the
interior departments the case is quite different, the majority of the
inhabitants being of pure whites.
Efforts made from time to time to develop foreign colonization
through land grants have never led to any advantageous acquisition of
immigrants.[XXVII-65]
[Sidenote: ISTHMUS SOCIETY.]
The number of American indigenes on the Isthmus is computed at about
10,000.[XXVII-66] The chief of the Savaneries claimed the sovereignty
over the land they occupied, and their rights thereto were recognized
by the authorities of Veraguas.[XXVII-67]
The Manzanillos occasionally visit Portobello and neighboring villages,
and at one time, if not always, were in a state of warfare with the
Bayanos. The latter hate the Spaniards and their descendants, but are
friendly to the English.[XXVII-68]
In 1873, a law was enacted to compel the wild Indians to adopt the
usages of civilized life, and prompt action was recommended by the
executive of Panamá in 1874, but nothing came of it.[XXVII-69]
There are but few families of the higher class in Panamá, and time is
required to establish a footing of intimacy with them. Considerable
has been said in Europe against the character of the women of Panamá,
which is not borne out by fact. Much real worth exists among them.
Indeed, the native women of the Isthmus generally, possess the best
qualifications. They are not only pretty, graceful, and refined,
but are dutiful daughters, and excellent wives and mothers. Those
in the higher positions, even while laboring under the disadvantage
of a limited education, which during a long time was the case with a
majority of them, have, as a rule, been of industrious and economical
habits. In later years the young girls of the better class have been
enabled to acquire an education. The same cannot be said of the women
of the lower classes, whose moral scale is quite low, marriage with
them being the exception rather than the rule. For this state of things
the upper class is partly responsible, inasmuch as from a misguided
feeling of charity it looks upon the practice with indifference instead
of frowning upon it.[XXVII-70]
The women of Panamá, since the early days of railway travelling,
have abandoned their former ways of dressing and of arranging
their beautiful hair, adopting European fashions and putting on
hats. The women of the lower order, till very recently, wore the
polleras;[XXVII-71] but this is becoming a thing of the past. These
women are very untidy; they move about their houses slipshod and
stockingless. The dress of the native laboring man is a pair of cotton
or linen trousers and a shirt.
The young men of the educated class are well-mannered, and most of
them have an average share of ability, but application and steadiness
of purpose are wanting. Like their sisters, they are kind and
affectionate to their families and relatives.[XXVII-72] Nearly all the
male inhabitants speak English as well as their native language, and
a number, who have been abroad, are conversant with French and even
German.
In their domestic life, notwithstanding their constant intercourse
with people of other nations, the Panamanians keep themselves secluded,
much as they did before the railway was constructed. They still hug a
portion of their old opinions and prejudices. Nevertheless, the fullest
liberty of conscience and of religion being recognized by the Colombian
laws, all forms of worship may be publicly practised.[XXVII-73]
[Sidenote: EDUCATION.]
The government of Panamá has not always manifested a proper interest in
the diffusion of knowledge among the masses. It must be acknowledged,
however, that during the existence of the central régime, prior to
1860, the children throughout the Isthmus had a better opportunity
to acquire instruction, there being schools with paid teachers in
nearly all the towns.[XXVII-74] After the revolutionary period became
inaugurated, the funds of the government hardly ever satisfied the
greed of political leaders, or sufficed to meet the cost of a large
military force, and public instruction suffered. This occurred more
particularly in the interior, and even the capital has seen its public
schools closed for the want of funds.[XXVII-75] The legislators in
1871 gave a new organization to this branch of the public service,
but for various reasons nothing was accomplished until 1873, when the
philanthropic Manuel J. Hurtado undertook the task of getting some
light out of the existing chaos. His efforts soon began to yield good
results, though more satisfactory ones might have been obtained had
the state government afforded larger means.[XXVII-76] Normal schools
have been also established for training teachers, and several other
educational institutes have been founded, one for females under women
of a religious order. Nevertheless, the majority of young men possessed
of means go abroad or to Bogotá to complete their education.
The Isthmus has not produced any notable literary or scientific men,
properly so-called, though there are and have been among its people
bright intellects. In political and diplomatic life, however, may
be mentioned as notabilities Justo Arosemena, José Obaldía, Pablo
Arosemena, and Jil Colunje.
The newspaper press has been during many years represented on the
Isthmus by the _Star and Herald_,[XXVII-77] which is the vehicle for
the communication of news between Europe and the United States on the
one side, and the countries in Central and South America on the other.
It has been for many years, and continues to be, entitled to rank as a
first-class newspaper. Its local edition now appears daily in English,
Spanish, and French; the edition for Europe and the United States,
to leave by each departing steamer, is in English; and the one for
Central and South America is in Spanish, the publication then bearing
the name of _La Estrella_.[XXVII-78] Several other newspapers have been
published, besides the official organ, from time to time in English and
Spanish, or wholly in Spanish, but they have been short-lived.
* * * * *
Bull-worrying is a popular amusement among all classes.[XXVII-79]
Cock-fighting is also much patronized on Sundays and
holidays.[XXVII-80] Horse-riding, and in later years driving, are
recreations of the better classes. Public and private balls, and an
occasional play, concert, or circus, when artists cross the Isthmus,
help to break the monotony of life.[XXVII-81]
[Sidenote: HEALTH AND DISEASE.]
The Isthmus has suffered, not only from revolutions, but from
calamitous visitations in the form of epidemics, particularly
small-pox; also by convulsions of nature, and devastating
fires.[XXVII-82]
Asiatic cholera visited Panamá in 1849,[XXVII-83] at a time when the
Isthmus was crowded with strangers, early in the California gold fever.
The destruction of life was heart-rending, as it spared no class or
condition.[XXVII-84] Malignant fevers, pulmonary and throat diseases,
and other maladies do their work of destruction, and yellow fever often
carries off its victims from among unacclimated strangers.[XXVII-85]
The tablon, a disease imported in 1873 from Cartagena, assumed an
epidemic form, and carried off many of the aged and children.[XXVII-86]
Few, if any, precautions are taken to improve the sanitary condition
of the capital, and much less of any other town. In fact, any partial
efforts will be of little avail so long as drainage is so bad, and
the habits of the lower classes continue so filthy. The necessity
of sanitary measures is generally admitted, and ordinances have been
enacted to that effect;[XXVII-87] but their observance is spasmodic at
best.
The public hospital of Panamá city in 1865 was a poor affair.[XXVII-88]
In late years, through the efforts of the private charity, improvements
have been introduced, and greater pains taken in the care of the sick
poor. The canal company has likewise made ample provision for the
attendance of its sick employés and laborers.
Hurricanes and floods have helped to destroy life and property, and
cause general distress. Fire has on several occasions left large
numbers of people without shelter and utterly ruined.[XXVII-89]