Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-07-30
Absolutely pure.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO.

The facts regarding the industrial
conditions in Mexico are beginning to
be pretty we'll understood, nOtwith-
standing the erroneous and misleading
statements made by silver agitators in
this country. These roseate and exag
gerated representations are made to
bolster up an argument. The special
pleaders who make them for this pur-
pose would never dream of applauding
industrial conditions in Mexico If they
were not under the necessity Of main
tanning an argument.
1t is beginning to be pretty well un-
derstOod generally that there has been
notable improvement in Mexico the
last fifteen or twenty years, and that
the cause of it is the establishment of
public and private security under the
strong and wise dictatorship of Gen.
Porlirio Diaz Lawlessness has disap-
peared. Peace and security have pro-
NOTED the arts and encouraged the in
yestment of capital. 1t is a new coun-
try whose hitherto untouched natural
resources can be developed. This is
the whole story. The detail of coinage
has had little effect.
But Mexico today, although imprOv-
ing, is far from an inviting field to the
American of small means, be he arti-
san or farmer. The United States is Il
paradise in comparison with Mexico
for the wage Garner or The small farm
er. The resources Of Mexico are ;n
inviting field for capitalists for the
few who have sufficient means to i'll
large "UtriEriSrs, such ~ construction
of railroads and public works and for
speculation. IL is so largely because
Mexico offers at once rich natural re-
sources and low wage or cheap labor.
And the tendency Of the single silver
standard is dead against the wage
Garner and the small farmer, for it
deceives the former in the matter of
prices and the latter by its fluctuations,
the cost Of insurance against which
is largely saddled onto the producer.
In other words, it is the plain people
who gets tie worst of it in Mexico. If
the representations of the silver agita-
tators in this country were correct,
then Mexico would be distinctively a
good place for the poor man, the Ia
boring man and the small farmers TO go
to. But that is exactly what it is not.
1t is a bad place for such to go to.
They are debarred from the opportuni-
ties of the rich natural resources of
the country, or from fair share Of
the profits of their development. 1t is
only those of large capital who can
hope to reap the harvest.
Now, this is precisely contrary to the
representations which are argumenta-
lively made in pursuance of the silver
agitation in this country. Yet it is
the absolute fact.
And as to Mexico the same silver
advocates are utterly inconsistent and
contradictory. Assuming to be blmet-
alist, they cite the example Of Mexico,
whereas Mexico is not bimetallist,
| but a silver monometallist country. III
has the single silver standard. 1t Illus
trates the fact that the unlimited coin
age is simply monometallism. If the
example of Mexico is to be approved
then the silver men of this country
ought to confess that the single silver
standard, and not bimetallism at all, is
what they are driving at when they
advocate the adoption of the same
coinage system here which exists IN
Mexico and which there establishes
the single silver standard.
The example of Mexico, for whatever
it is worth or not worth, is good only
as an illustration of silver monome'
tallism. There is no bimetallism ID
Mexico, although the law there pro-
yides for free coinage of gold ana Sill
YER at a fixed ratio. That is to say
the Mexican government will coin al
that ratio both gold and silver, free o.
charge to the possessor of bullion, Oh
at the charge Of the taxpayers bu'
nobody having gold will offer it to the
Mexican mint, since the mint STAN
adds nothing to the value OF gola Dul