The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-11
LAND OF THE GREASER
An Interesting Chat About the
Customs Of the Mexicans.
Henry Knippenberg Returns from an
Extensive Tour Among the Mines
-~CheapnesS of Labor. ~

Mr.. Henry Knippenberg has returned
from an extensive trip through Mexico. He
was the guest of Mr.. E. W.. Nash, of Oma-
ha, and the party consisted of Messrs. Nash
and Page, of Omaha, Mr.. ]. L. Matthews,
of San Antonio, Tex, w. A. Geist, of Den
yer, and X. c. Barton, of Valardina, Mex
leo. The trip consumed some three weeks.
The party visited many of the celebrated
silver mines and old cities Of Mexico. In
response to questions about the country, it's
productions and it's people, Mr.. Knipper-i
berg said:
II never saw so much filth, sorrow, pow
erty and contentment combined. In the
City of Mexico there is a grand avenue,
built by Macmillan and, for it's length,
IL is one of the finest in the world. 1t is
the grand driveway of the city, the one on
which the aristocracy takes it's airings on
afternoons. The sidewalks are SO arranged
that the poorer classes can squat upon
them which the women do in great num-
cites and hunt for vermin on the heads Of
their children, not in the least disconnected
by the presence of the aristocracy, while
the latter seem to be edited by the sight.
The element of what we call female mod
esty seems to be wanting among the lower
class. Near Durango, where we visited a
mine. there was quite a lake formed by
the deposit of water from the mine, and in
this lake were dozens of women bathing.
without the least apparent shame. In look
ing at the contentment, L asked myself il
our civilization is a failure-that is, If civil
ization is expected to bring contentment.
There the workingmen receive 80 cents q
day, and each morning the women who
go by the numbers which the husbands
draw, In goods, 50 per cent. Of the days
wages before the money is earned. Yet
these people never think of striking or in
any way demanding an increase of wages;
in fact, there would be a revolution il
any increase was proposed. Ignorance
makes the people happy, or, at any rate
when you enter Mexico you change
your money for Mexican COIN, receiving
two dollars for one of ours. This makes
bills seem large down there.
The poor people are the most interest
contentment. They have cathedrals in ev-
cry, town and village, and each has it's
bishop and corps of priests. This is a good
thing, because the different classes meet
on a level here. And church musici Why,
every church seems to have ar organ In
each corner. The poems. who include nine
tenths OF the entire population, are more
the slaves in the United States. But for the
Catholic Church these people could not be
governed at all. Think of a population liv-
ing every day from hand to mouth, with
no thought of tomorrow. A Mexican may
miss a few meals, but he won't grumble If
he has tobacco and corn huSkS TO make
cigarettes.
KILL TO HIDE CRIME.
I'm that country everybody carries arms.
Mr.. Nash and 1 walked out one evening
while at the mine, and, In a few minutes.
we were overtaken by our friends who
warned us not to go out day or night with
out firearms. Down there people don't COM
nit murder merely to take life. it is usually
done to conceal some robbery or even a
petty ofsense. When a Mexican rObs a
man he kills him in order to have the prose-
cutting witness out of the way.
9TH present administration of Mexico is
regarded as the most progressive the coun-
try has ever had since the republic has
been in existence. and under II the people
are being elevated-at least as much as the
money class will permit. In fact. the Presi-
the masses, which is shown by his care
for Americans who are making improve
ments and investments there. In consider
ing the lack of improvements in Mexico
you must remember that the cost of labor
is nothing. The reason why no machinery
is used IS that 1t costs more TO run the
machinery than II costs TO produce the
product by manual labor, TO say nothing OF
the cost of the machinery; Inc ore from
the mine which we visited is transported
five miles on donkeys at % cents a ton,
our money. That is 22 cents a ton a mile
for the short haul. No railroad in the
United States works so cheaply, and where
the element of time is not considered, the
carrier in Mexico does not Cypress the ship
thine with those people is nothing. No
one ever does anything to-day which he
can put of until next week, and as they
wait for IT,: This condition must con-
tinue until the poems are edu-
Gated. and / cannot sec how
education can be extended TO them. The
wealthy classes have acquired vested rights
as against the peon class, and they viii
not Voluntarily surrender them. AS they
will not do this, the race must be dis
placed by a more progressive people. The
mines are the richest In the world, and
IL silver should come TO be an international
money material there will be such an influx
of Americans 10 Mexico that the character
of its population would change as quickly
as IL did in California. II President DiaZ
can carry out his policy, Mexico will be one
Of the great. and the most interesting coUn-
try Of the world.
NHAt Mexico city we called on Governor
GRAY. and were more than kindly cared
for by him, though at that time he was In
great distress over the serious illness OF
his son. Every attention which we could
have asked was anticipated ~ the volun-
tary tender OF the minister. No AmsCican