New-York tribune., 1881-08-15
A PESSIMIST IN MEXICO.

THE GRAvE-PLoUGHs CAR COUPLINGS AND
CHURCH ORGANS STOLEN AND PAwNED-EvEN
THE BUzzARDs DIsGUsTED WITH TIIE PLACE
KILLING MISSIONARIES FOR FUN--"A BAD WEEK
FOR ACCIDENTS"
To ne Editor OF The Tribune
SIR recent article in a paper devoted to the
interests OF Mexico. declaring that this city
reer from thieves than any other large city in the
world sets my pen running this theme. The
missionaries are thrown in lights to the prevailing
shadows Having already formed the settled
opllllon that 1t was an open question whether this
Mexican Republic not largely composed of
thieves and beggars, the above-quoted statement
set my blood boiling at once Though from personal
observation and experience. should declare, per-
haps tins city to be nest of robbers and asylum
of villains of all Sorts would not assume that it is
worse than any city of its size in the United States
Tor 1t is not But would like to sit down for few
minntes upon those writers who are eternaly harp
ing praise of this town without mentioning its de-
fects. wish my countrymen to understand the
treatment they are to expect when they arrive here
and am ready to declare on oath that they will be
robbed. cheated and beaten out of their cash as
readily as in New-York
In a broad generalization of the different classes
OF inhabitants will recognizes two great divi-
sions: The very best and the very worst. The
union of the most brutal nation of the Old World
with the most hardened of the New World-the
exhibited all the vices without virtue, of tho
parent stock. Time instead of ameliorating, has
hardened and the native Mexican of to-day-not
the Spaniard nor the pure lndian-is the vilest,
most degraded, most devoid of principle and honor,
of all races, mixed pure that exist on the face of
the earth.
1t has said that life is as safe here at present
as In any large city III the United States aud be-
uevei is; but why it is one can tell. Ger
taluly middle g. viii of
the mixed people, have conpunctions in regard
to numbering Life with them is not regarded
as sacred they even look upon death by shooting
as honorable. and rather court it than otherwise 1t
perhaps of such perfect familiarity with fire.
arms. Not that they shoot, for they cannot
they the worst marksmen in the world
but every carries Il revolver. Beg, borrow
steal pistol he must and will and
carry it in as exposed place as possible.
The Mexican, gentleman well as iepero is most
consnmmate fop not only in regard to his horse but
in bis equipments He may parade himself with an
incruStation on his skin of seven years dirt and
with shirt that has survived six months continu
wear but no will invariably carry large nickel
plated revolver hanging at his side and sho wing half
it's length of barrel below his Jacket To the butt of
this revolver he will generally have q cord and tas-
se or steel or el-plated chain. attached. If
he is horseback he will have jingling bits clank-
ing sabro and saddle shining with silver orna-
ments; but he will never be without caroline or
revolver. The result OF all this display of firearms
is, that they are perfectly familiar with weapons
IN IA general way, and think of pointing
pistol at man than AT post. 1t has almost super
seeded the knife. though that peculiarly Spanish
weapon is not mfrequently used
NATURAL BORN THIEVES"
Az to stealing the iT,vO is a thief from his
mothers arms. II is fact and | state it as con-
trned to by the chief of police that nine out of
every ten OF the boys and men found in the streets
OF Mexico, peddllng papers lottery tickets, or
soliciting hight employment generally, are thieves
and pickpockets and only approach you on the
lookout for opportunity to plunder you. So
they that the police cannot distinguish
the bad ones. in the United States and in Euro
pean cities. but class them all capable of any
crime.
Now. to be perfectly frank with the readers of
THE TRIBUNE. the animus of this may be found in
the fact that ! have had vaiise stolen from me-
and under the most aggravating circumstances.
But to be equally frank with myself and cqnally
tair, | have waited ten days before writing this
and i'll those ten days have set foot inquiries that
have ELECTED the following facts have found
that hardly person Wis ting Mexico has remained
here three mouths without losing something of
vaue. have not conversed with single person
that has resided here that length of time that has
not been sufferer. Before my recent loss was as
one travelling with his eyes shut had visit ID
places reputed dangerous to lIfe hal carried n
revolver hung my hip for four months had
trusted implicitly my moros and companions in re-
gard to property, hut only look ng for some
danger to my person. 1 laughed at the stories of
plundered friends until my eyes opened by hav-
ing the matter brought home. With some expert
ence with the police here, would like to saw that
they, though 40 numerous, are inefficient and as
useless the thieves are bold and successful There
organized bands of robbers here that pursue
their trade systematically in Europe An article
of value taken this city is at once sent to Pueba
and other large towns and sold there while these
stolen there are sent here for SALE Night and day
these degraded villains the watch for any
thing lying about loose.
MAN WITH A GRIEVANCE.
disappointed dealer in agricultural machinery
met me the otner day in Pnebla. During the excite
to Mexico it thought that all Mexico needed
was improved agricultural implements to enable it
to take rank with the great nations of the world
An enterprising Chicago firm forthwith shipped
down large lot, including the latest inventions in
mowers. reapers thrcshers, etc, with several men
In instruct the natives in their USE | met one of
these menthe Others had left the country-and he
to his expression, " in frame of
mind" Said he:
" 1t is just holy terror! These people have lust
ahout worried me to death. Here Eve been here
more'n q year, and how many mowers and reapers
do you think Ive solds Well sir amt sold onei
These Mcxicans are just caution to snakes! Why
they come here and get one of my machines and
take ii out on their plantations and smash it all to
pieces. and then say faint good enough for EN-
And the worst of 1t is, have almighty hard work
to get the pieces of that machine back to the shop
They'll never buy what they can steal cheat o