ACTUALITIES OF ROZARIO (SANTA YE). 237
vinces of the interior. It is also conuected by a coach- line with Mendoza^ which lies nearly in the same parallel ; and during the last four years it has thriven by the Para- guayan war, and by the railway being run towards Cordoba — a Central Illinois, which will presently make Rozario another Chicago.
And now, from being the commercial capital of the Argentine Confederation, it aspires to become the political. A bond fide Federal Washington or Rio de Janeiro is much wanted, and Hozario is a central site far superior in every way to Buenos Aires. Its promotion is ardently desired by the provinces, and the Deputy Quintana highly gratified them by introducing into Congress the following pro- ject :—
"Art. I. The City of Rozario is declared Capital of the Republic, comprising the territory between the Arroyos Saladillo and Luduena, on the River Parana, with a league of inland depth.
"Art. 2. All public properties and establishments within the federalized territory become national property.
" Art. 3. The Executive shall have two years to prepare the necessary buildings for the national authorities, the latter meanwhile residing in the City of Buenos Aires.
" Art. 4. This law shall be submitted for acceptance of the Provincial Legislature of Santa Fe.^^
The bill was passed on September 18, 1868, by a majority of one — 20 to 19. Had there been a tie. President Mitre would have vetoed it. But Sor Tijedo, though opposed to the measure, left the Chambers without voting. President Sarmiento will doubtless stave off the measure during his term of office — six years. After that time Rozario will have the best of chances. Meanwhile, the value of land has at least trebled, and the Central Argentine Railway will presently make it independent of its big neighbour.
