The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-28
THE MONTEZUMAS.
A People Who Have Some Good
Qualities But Many Bad Onea
The Boosted Hospitality OF tAe Mexicans
Purely Mythicai-Common Law Mar
rizges Very Common-Gntrust-
WORTHY Poems.

recent resident of the City of Mexico
was in Kansas City few days ago, and
in chat with a journal reporter ex-
ploded great many of the romantic
stories told Of ideal chivalry and other
Arcadian and idylic characteristics of
the Mexicans. His opportunities for
studying the people were unexceued
and he had little else to do. BE trav-
eled all over the country many times
and studied the people with exceeding
care For over a year he has been con-
nected with the Mexican Central rail-
way in an important capacity. 81 only
speak for myself" said he, "bnt for
one l failed to find Mexico the fairy
land had piccrred to myself There
are lots of Americans there who are de-
lighted with it and who would live
nowhere else, and it may be my fault
that i do not like the place. But
could not, even though / tried very
hard TO do so. as nay business called me
there. In the first place, the native
lower class Mexican hates an Ameri-
can. 1t is not very pleasant to have an
ugly-looking greaser growing out
'gringor as he passes you or huri at
you the bitter curse 'tabroncP
''Some one has said that Mexico was
ninety-fre per cent climate and i've
per cent. Quien sabeT (who knows2)
have often thought that about fifty per
cent. of 'u1iana' tomorrow ought to
be thrown in The Mexieans never do
to-day what they can do tomorrow.
The boosted hospitality and chivslry of
the lower classes are pure myths. The
upper classes are splendid people. high
minded, hospitable and generous But
the lower classes, the poems, are the OPP
posite. They say: Ny house is yours
but it is lip phrase and they do not
mean it. The blowing Is done with
sticks and thrashing with horses and
the reaping with sicklea America could
sell agricultural implements in large
mum bers were it no. for the duty. The
only thing we would need from them
is fruit and coffee. The prospects for
reciprocity are therefore not very fiat
tering, as they really do not sell US
enough fruits and coffee TO offset the
agricultural implements.
at costs so much to get married in
Mexico that few of the lower classes
ever marry. The church does not REQ
ognize state marriage and the state
does not recognize the church wedding.
The consequence Ia that common law
marriages are the rule. Tbea, is little
of what we call immortality In the sense
of prorniscuity. The police never take
any notice Of anything unless somebody
makes a complaint
at Is Internationally true that the
peon is an unconscionable thief Hotel
men never buy more than enough for
one meal The servants would steal
the surplus Everybody in Mexico buys
lottery tickets, and have seen an old
lady selling tickets within the doors of
the cathedral. An important step is be- |
ing taken by President Diaz. vino Is .
wide-awake and progressive man. who |
Is bitterly hated by the clergy or priest |
hood. He is taxing the large land own |
eTs or hacienderos, who own vast tracts |
of uncuitivated land The owner of
these haciendsss declare they viii have |
TO cultivate them or gsve them up. II |
Is question if the poems would have
ambition 70 cultivate the band after il /
was turned over. A great mistake Is 4
made by foreigners In going there ia i
the winter, when the place Is dry and /
dusty. They should go in the su<nneS
when the rains refresh the earth every 1
day. Sharp showers fan daring the 4
rainy season. bet the sun rises bright .
and pleasant every morning. AS said .
IN the beginning Mexico may do for
some, but I prefer the United States
mad have come back to live here"