New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-23
LABOR IN MEXICO.

A great many silverItes have been pointing to
the good times in Mexico as an argument in
favor of free silver. But they neglect to go into
particulars Mexico has always been a free
silver country; but it only began to be prosper
Gus when its present enlightened Executive,
President Daz, assumed the reins OF Govern
ment Whatever prosperity the country il en-
joying therefore, must be attributed TO him
rather than to free silver. Moreover, 1t is the
men who already have money, or who can com
mand capital, who are prospecting in Mexico.
They are steadily growing richer, while the poor
are steadily growing poorer. That is what free
silver is doing for the great Southern Republic in
spite Of its stable Government and splendid re-
sources; and that is what It would do in this
country If it should be adopted.
This Is no rhetorical statement; 1t is capable
of proof In the last issue of THE Examiner"
a Baptist publication OF this city, the Rev. w.
H. Sloan, who has been missionary in Mexico
for seven years, gives some facts as to the con-
dtion Of the working people In that country.
Mexico he says, is no place for laboring man.
nor for man on salary. But 1t is the place
for the man who has capital. Such man can
take advantage Of the cheap labor OF the coun-
try and raise products at almost no expense
which he can export to foreign countries ut gold
prices Every such capitalist in Mexico is ready
10 make an affidavit any day, saying that free
silver Is a good thing. SO it ls-for him. But
how Is IL for the artisan the farmer and the
laborlng man? That is the question that the
American worklngman Is most interested in hav-
ing answered. And Mr.. Sloan answers ii in Il
way that leaves the free-silvcr advocates not a
leg to stand upon.
He begins by saying that the Mexican dollar
is worth about II cents in American money,
though It has more silver in it. And then he
shows that silver and labor are about the only
cheap things in the country For years" he
says IL have seen the people in their homes;
know the wages they receive. and the food they
"eat. for have eaten it with them; | know their
appeals for better wages. the destitute condl-
lions Of their squalid homes. and know that
their life Is cherries and hopeless. If free
silver could have made any people prosperous
"and contented 1t would have done with the
"Mexlcans. But 1t has been n blessing only 10
"the capitalist, who could buy silver with gold.
and who has enriched himself at the expense
"of the aborer" Coming 10 particulars and
reckoning In American money we find that
skilled mechanic gets 81 cents day. police
man the same. common aborer from - to 80
cents lerer-carrers from SO 10 So month,
clerks from So to SD Il month. The cheapest
house rent for the aborer is from 81 ~ 10 SO
month He must live on beans and corn cakes.
often without a table to eat upon. with no bed for
himself and family, and no furniture except Il
rude box. One cheap suit Of clothes for each
member of family is the rule for working peo-
pie. and they must sleep in the clothes they wear
during the day No Mexican laborer, rs rule
can ever own his own home. Free silver has
enormously increased the wealth OF capitalists
In Mexico: but 1t has kept the workingman In