The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1884-04-17
THE CONDITION OF MEXICO.

Hubert Ii. Bancroft, the historian
Of the Pacific Coast returned from Z
visit Of several months TO Mexico, and
represents 10 a Chronicle reporter that
the condition Of Mexican society Is
gradually improving, though the
condition Of the working people Il
pitiable In the extreme, in many cases
practical bondage or serfdom being
their lot. Yet they are generally +
good and efficient workers. whose
wages are 90 low that the cheau
Chinese cannot compete with them.
The negroes Of the United States are
besides them a lazy lot, with dull,
stolid brain. The middle class of
Mexico, Mr.. Bancroft says, is coming
IN, and upon its increase and growth
depends the prosperity Of the nation
The upper classes are made up of
every degree Of race, iuteTmixture.
and in point Of culture and refine
ment, stand high. The business out
look is fair, real estate is advancing
In value, and agricultural methods
are Improving 70 some extent.
Though the Mexicans are not as a
rule good business men, trade Il
largely In the hands Of foreigners.
Americans taking the lead Ia bank
ing and manufacturing. On account
Of the cheapness Of labor, almost an v
business, well conducted, would Be
successful. Under proper attention
the native Mexieans NAV be tau0ht
anything, 90 that q manufacturer
who studies how 70 handle them will
soon hnd himself ct the head Of the
best kind Of artisans and operatives,
Who will work hard aud patiently at
from 80 to 90 cents q day.
Very few Of the best classes of
Americans have as yet appeared In
Mexico. Low and coarse border
men, mining speeulatoB, political
and religious adventures have drifted
In. These, with DISCHARGED railroad
men and brOken-doWn lawyers and
doctors, constitute the worst forelgn
element In the country. Such char
acteB have caused q general digtrust
Of Americans by the natives.
The roads in Mexico are a. safe A
Ia the United States, thanks 10 Por-
hriO Biaz, who, BY orgAnizlnR 4 svs-
tenn setting thieves 10 catch Thieves
and establishing rural guards, turned
hordes Of highWaymen Into usefu lin
struments Of the law. There h SfiIl
on some Of the trains and af The sfa-
tons g small armed force, but this is
more % give the soldiers occupation
than from any raal necessity. iugfica
Il swim In this direction. A robber Il
quickly caught, and summarily dealt
with, being oltsn shot BY his carfOfs
on pretenss % attempted esnspe h.
fore reaching Jail.
The 0oVeTumoht q Mexico AZ mrs.
snt 4 Republican only In name. K an
toclaiic, o. Ct least arisfocrafic. rsfhsr
than Republican. The Preaidanf h
more absolute than any uTInce ~
potsntate In Europe. The conOr.so
represents the goTornment-that 4 10
ays the governing class, which 4 the
afisloeraoy-a = responsible alone
o the president and his ministers.
TIE governors of the several state.
While 1uDcisntly supreme within
certain Iimifs, are still under the swnv
OF the central power, which exercisss
preponderafing indlenee "a an
elections.
A great dsal Of attention A. being
paid . education not only b. the GOV.
ernments but by All parties and cls.,-
81 Common nehools are eYsTyEhers,
and q ffsa collsge In each stafa.
There are ehaFitabls institutions
without number. ssylun8 of the ssv-
"a kinds and hospitals for R1naraf
aud spe ~ dIsease8 Ihars saiitaF-
aTy atnlo1r hefl n The city n fTexica'
e led e any q London sRpsion
q New HeFk.re ssI i., i..5'1-.1fs'-ss.
The 1ahonal aEaacs8 ere in 4 -
Plorable con1l-l1lIs aIid bIl,lS Z Z 8
eOrruption prevails % large extent.