Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1884-05-03
THE MEXICO OF TODAY.

Hubert II. Bancroft, the historian.
has just returned from Mexico, which
country lie has been studying for
several months past. Knowing that
he had gathered a fund of useful infor-
m alton regarding the social condition,
business prospects, and political situa-
ton of that republic, reporter of tho
San Francisco Chronicle called upon
him, when the following conversation
took place;
What is the present condition Of
Mexican society?"
Slowly but gradually improving, I
think" came the reply. The long
period of peace has tended to foster
general development throughout tho
republic, though this Development has
not been so rapid of course as it would
have been if the common people had
been further advanced in civilization
when the peace began"
"How would you classify Spanish
American society,"
For general observation it may be
divided into Two classes, the high and
the low-the former embracing the
dominating element, the educated, the
wealthy, the politicians and non-pro-
ducers generally: the latter the serv-
ing element, the poor and ignorant
toiers. For purposes Of closer analy-
sis you may very properly make Of
the people three or more divisions"
" Is there no middle class, such MS 10
found in the United States and
Europe?"
mo, although there is something
| of the kind in the course of formation.
1t is alone by concretion or Goa escenco
of mental and material Improvement
into body social of this standard that
the integrity of the nation is to be pre-
served, and this the leading statesmen
clearly understand"
! "How does the common class in
Spanish America differ so materially
| from similar castles in other countries"
Both in origin and Development
or conditions, rather, for there has
been little development. You must
take the conquered American aborigt-
nails as base, give them innumerablo
European and African intermixturcs,
steep them in ignorance and supersti-
Mon and grind them under the heel OF
political, commercial and social des-
poiism for three or four centuries and
you have here a connection, as may
say, difficult to find elsewhere" -
"What is the business outlook?"
Every fair. There is scarcely any
occupation in which man of ordinary
business sense and energy, having
reasonable capital, may not engage
with profit. Real estate in the cities
has doubled and in some instances
trebled in value. The advance has
been particularly marked in the capt.
tai, which is now gridironcd with
horse or rather mule railroads. under
efficient native management and which
lead out into the country for miles in
every direction. Agricultural lands
have not advanced in like proportions,
though large sums have been spent in
improvements. particularly in water
supplies and irrigating. | was assured
| by the owner of one hacienda, and that
by no means the largest, being only
twenty LEAGUES. that he had spent for
water over $500, coo during the past two
tyears."
Are the Mexicans good business
| mem"
lot as rule: the lower orders are
enabled to minister to their own nece.'-
stiles, but they cannot provide for
their superiors. The higher classes
holding their haciendas and city prop
erty still regard work as disgraceful,
and shopkeeping is tao closely akin to
| work to suit even their poverty.
| stricken brother Nowhere are the
several classes more strictly divided
than in their daily traflics. The poor
man's pulque shop, bakery and provi-
sion store are very different alf,irs
from the establishments that Supply
the wealthy, and the one does moi pre-
tend to mlnglc his affairs with these Of
the other The lower class live and
labor within themselves. They hiiild
their houses, provide their own food
and clothes, and doctor themselves
when i'll. Few tirstclass physirinns
would soil their fingers with the sick
1