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THE MISSION OF THE RAILROAD
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of the poor man; and the national school system, which would naturally, by education, open the eyes of the people to these absurdities, is made available by only ten per cent of the population. The railroad has already accomplished much to secure permanence of government, and protection for business ventures, by breaking up the organized bands of robbers which infested some of the richest districts; by bringing newer and more wholesome customs into the slovenly ways of trade; and by minimizing the opportunities for revolt and revolution, which used constantly to threaten permanence of government, by bringing all parts of the country into close and swift connection with the heads of departments at the capital. The next ten years will do wonders to help progress and utilize resources; but, alas! it will change the beautiful, picturesque, unpractical world we have rejoiced in. There is no rose without its thorn.

You will be tempted to think, when you return to El Paso, that you have gotten hold of a very thorny rose indeed, by the time the conscientious officials have turned your trunks upside down, and upset your bundles on the station