Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-01-23
MEXICO'S PUBLIC PORTERS.
A CHARACTER SEEN EvERYWHERE
In CITY STREETS.
United in a Guild, and Honest-Pro-
digious Loads That They Carry
The OuestiOn of PAY


Throughout Mexico the cargador is
the universal public porter. On the cor
ners of city streets where traffic is most
dense, three or four cargadoes always are
standing waiting for job. To summon
one, it is needful only to step to the
window, or out upon the balcony, and
clap ones hands. All within hearing re
spond instantly to this call, and the first
of the several difficulties which attend
employing cargador is that of segrega-
ting the man who is wanted from his
companions who are not wanted, but
who insist upon being hired. As a semi
public functionary, each of these public
porters is duly licensed by the civic au-
thorities, and is compelled to wear con-
spiculously brass badge on which the
number of his license is exhibited.
Theoretically, he can be held responsible,
under the police regulations, for loss or
breakage of articles while in his charge.
Practically, however, this legal provision
is without value-inasmuch as the entire
sum of his earthly belongings seldom is
more than his white cotton shirt ana
trousers, his battered straw hat, the
cushion that serves to save little his
back, and the mecapal with which he
swings his load. All that can be gained,
therefore, by judicial proceedings against
a delinquent cargador is the mixed plea
sure of compelling him to forfeit his
badge and to spend some weeks or
months in Jail.
Fortunately, the need for such extreme
action very seldom, almost never arises.
In every city and in every large town
the cargadorcs are united in cofradia,
guild, that is governed within itself by
severe laws. Professional honesty alb
solutely is insisted upon; and it is much
to the credit of these men-who fire.
'quently are intrusted with articles of
value which would suffice to keep them
in comfortable idleness for year-that
dishonesty among them is unknown.
There arc cases on record, indeed, of
cargadores who have given their lives
in defence of the property confided to
their care. In less essential matters of
morals, matters not affecting the rep
utation of the profession as whole, the
individual cargador is free to conduct
himself, so far as the cofradia is con-
cerned, pretty much as he pleases. If
he sees fit to drink more pulque than is
good for him, and thereby becomes so
oblivious to the orders of his employer
as to go Lopelessly wrong with his load,
or so at odds with the law of gravity as
to come down by the run and involve
himself and his lading in general wreck,
his fellows are far from reproaching him.
A cargador made OF such base stuff soon
finds himself in enforced idleness; and,
as there always are more men than there
is work, his loss of custom is some one
else's gain. In point of fact, however,
injury to the load is almost as rare as is
deliberate theft. Even when the heads
of these carriers are muzZy with over
much pulque, their legs continue firm
under the most prodigious and the most
heterogeneous loads.
The extraordinary collection of things
that cargador can carry upon his back
and dependent from his person is truly
surprising. A trunk, or baie of goods,
or any single large article, he disposes of
easily. 1t is when he is engaged in
moving household furniture that he
really shines. In such case, his base
of operations usually is chair.
This is an article that readily may be
swung on his back, and that lends itself
to the attachment of a miscellaneous
load: a bed and bedding, rolled up to-
gether, placed on the seat and sur
mounted by picture or two, rose
fraa ~, hat
the legs and rungs a roll of mating,
domestic utensils, sword and several
pairs of shoes-in addition to all of
which he will carry on his left arm,
raised that his left hand may steady his
load, an iron pot; under his right arm
an umbrella and broom, and in his
right hand parlor lamp or tin cage
caagador walking along the streets in
the middle Of an iron bcdstead is sight
to remember; and still more memorable
is his appearance beneath perfect
mountain of rush bottomed chairs. Yet
with ladings OF this stupcndous and
perilous nature he will work his wa5
through crowded streets-dodglng sue
SS'SANiy A'oN ps'9oShSoSA93 SotiAttSc
carts and tram cars-and come tri-
umphantly to his journeys end.
Excellent though the service rendered
by the cargador almost invariably is, the
normal foreig ner shrinks from employing
him because of the inevitable fight that
must be fought before the difference be-
tween what he wants to be paid and |
what he ought to be paid can be adjusted.
This is a matter that cannot be reduced
to system, and that dcfes all rules. In
every case his pay must depend upon the
distance to be traversed and upon the
size and weight of his load-factors of
uncertainty which open field of argu-
ment that practically is limitless. The
safe rule is to compel him to name his
own price, always difficult matter to
accomplish, and then to offer him half
as much as he demands. Ordinarily,
after sharp discussion, these terms are
accepted; but brisk little wrangle is
sure to take place when the case is re-
At