Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-07-12
Far Fields are Grcen-A Mexican
Glamour.


men in seaoh Of a fortune. Multitudes
Of these hitter, on the principle that
''far fields are green" have hurried
down to Chihuahua and the other Mexi-
can States, only to encounter the most
bitter disappointment. But the capt.
talist has had even more grievons ex-
perience, fact which he will find out
in all its dreary magnitude very shortly,
Ii he don't know it now. Impelled by
the desire to absorb tho profits Of con-
struction and lured on by small Mexi.
can subvention, American capital has
built railways recklessly towards and in
Mexico that have very slim prospect,
indeed, Of paying running expenses for
years to come. II is question, in sooth,
with many keen observers, as to whether
the subsidies of the Mexican govern
ment are sufficient In amount to pay for
building the many and expensive bridges
which the Mexican authorities compel
the railways to erect over the innumera-
bic dry water courses that abound in the
Sister Republic.
Tho average Fastener has very i'm
perfect idea OF the character OF the
country which is traversed by the rail
ways into which he has put his monuy
so lavishly--so foolshly, as he will say
himself, some years from now. From
FL Paso to the city Of chihuahua the
country Is Of tho most barren descrip-
ton conceivable. For distance OF two
hundred miles, more or less, not tree
algns the roadway. Not even a patch
Of chapparal can be deserted by the naked
eye to give grateful rest between sec
tions. Tho water courses are all
dried up, and have been so, apparently,
for ages. For genuine sterility it is
hard. indeed, to surpass chihuahua.
Before Diminishing the Mexican Central,
IT may be rs well to say that persons
who have been along the whole twelve
hundred miles or 30 Of its road, say that
until the region which environs Mexico,
the capital city Of the Republic, is reach
ed, scarcely tree is encountered. There
arc. of course, considerable mineral riches
in process of development in Chihuahua,
Rfango. aHsatecas, and others of the
Mexican states, which will benefit by
American railway enterprise. But, not
conten. with the truth, the imagination
OF the gullible Yankee is busily engaged
in investing every mountain and canon
with the glamour of incompatible trea.
sures, which exist in his minds eye
alone, and which will be as hard to find
as Boutwell's famous hole in the sky.
He disdains to bear in mind that ancient
and suggestive adage Of the old Spanish
conquistadores, founded upon experience.
that man will grow poor on gold
niue. may make living on silver
mine, aud will grow rich upon an iron
mino. The Americans who have invested
their shekels in Mexican railways are
not aware of the fact that the Moxicans
are probably the most frugal people on
the face of the earth. A handful OF
beans, few chilies and little jerked
beef, are ample for the needs of their
modest cuisine. Although their garb is
picturesque and attractive, it is quite
chenp, and it does not often require re-
newal. The peon class in Mexico receive
wages 30 low as to mako it impossible
that they should buy much from Ameri-
cans or any other people. The trans
portation question is encountered by the
fact that the burro and the peon will
transport goods at such an incredibly
low price as to insure exceedingly low
freight rates by the railway companies,
Thus, as a matter of fact, ores are to-day
transported from Chihuahua to the city
of Mexico, a distance of some twelve
hundred miles, by burros, for four cents
pound.
However, the capitalist can take care
81 himself. Our remarks are intended
10 'oring reflection 10 the numerous class
of Americans, intent upon adventure and
upon hewing out for themselves career,
who might be tempted to run down into
Mexico without considering all the pros
and cons OF their new departure. Three
months ago Chihuahuawas overrun with
these people. For ten who were there
then, hardly one is there now.
Hard experience, often of the NEST dis
heartening kind, has done its work, and
those who could get away have doue so,
in great part.
The city of Chihuahua is quite pic.
: tgTssape, i one confines ones self to the
Plaza and the grand Cathedral. A nu-
merous chains> gang, occasionally re.
eruited from American adventures,
keeps the streets clean. a State House
is being built, the stones for which are
brought into the town on the backs of
burros, showing that the old primitive
methods still flourish. The markets are
very poorly supplied. Butter, EXCEPT
when, at rare intervals, small consign-
ment arrives from the United States. is
unknown, even on the hotel tables. 1t
Is none the better for its long excursion
In torrid temperature. The milk is
yielded by goats, great herds of which
depasture on the rocky hills which sur.
round the city. Potatoes and veqeta-
bles of all kinds, except onions and
chilies, are brought from the United
States. There are some American ga.
looms, in which the traditional cock tail
may be obtained, but however desirable
, these may be to those who are athirst.
swallowing them at "two bits a drink
does not help man to make living in
region where he comes in contact with
the cheapest labor to be found on the
American continent.
In fine, to wind up our little homily,
we would say to those of our readers
who contemplate locating in Mexico, if
there are any such, don't. Come, in
stead, to the evergreen bowers. bosky
della and flowing waters of Los Angeles
county, and abide here. You will travel
far before You will encounter anything