San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-07-19
MEXICO CITY LETTER.
SOME PERTINENT COMMENTS ON
SAN ANTONIO VISITORS.
Why DiaS Was Reelected President
McKinley's Nomination Popular
The Fourth of July, Etc,
Special Correspondence.
CRY OF MEXICO, July Is, 1896.

yet been made, but there is no ques-
ton that President Diaz is unani-
mously reelected for another term of
| four years and this is an honor that
rarely falls to any ruler of a great
nation. While Diaz made no effort
to gain re-election-indeed, / think he
would have preferred retiring-there
is no question that he is the choice of
| the people and the foreign element
here rejoice in his reelection. .Diaz
has grown old and gray in the service
of his country and the duties of the
presidency fits him like an old glove.
He is courteous and polite TO all, but
n martinez in duty and discipline. He
is no mere figure head, no King Log,
for having a good conscience and a
strong will he is prepared to use the
latter when occasion requires and
with effect, yet he is conservative and
consistent. He lays down a rule and
that rule must be obeyed, no matter
who it is, for as a general he permits
no INSTRUMENTATION in ranks, yet with
al he is kind, courteous and consider
ate. He has stern sense of duty and
acts, though he does not say so, on
"a
lie office is a public trust" and woe
be to him-friend or foe-whO betrays
the confidence of the people by NAL
feesance in office, for he will be hand
ed over to justice and there punished
as many have found to their cost. He
is not dictatOrial or autocratic, he
never exceeds the power concurred by
the constitution; he has not what we
call ''the big head" and being so idol
lied he might be excused if he had
but is simply actuated by the sense of
duty. He has that keen perception
and that sense of enterprise that en-
courages foreign investment in the
city and that sense of honor that pro-
tects those interests. That is why I'M
der his rule foreigners are on his SIDE
that is why investments increase, and
that is one of the many reasons why
this country is fiourishing to such an
extraordinary degree. There are
many good, honorable men in this
country able to fill the office of presi-
dent with honor to themselves and
the country but none have the tact
or ability of Diaz. He is man of the
time and it seems as if providence
good work that he has done for his
country.
Railroad construction and other inn
provements in Guatemala has neces-
STATED a great amount of labor and
this cannot be supplied in the home
marked. There has been, an active de-
mand for laborers from here, especial
ly for the Guatemala Northern rail
road. Captain III. f. Dennie, the COM
pany's agent here, secured and has
shipped nine hundred men, some
women, children, horses and other
necessaries. These were sent by spe-
cial train to Vera Cruz and thence by
chartered steamer to Puerto BarriOs,
from which point they will go TO
their destination. The Mexicans are
glad to go because they get higher
wages and they are sought for be-
cause they are better adapted to the
climate, for Guatemala is almost at
sea level, is very hot and subject to
fever that is rough on Europeans
and Americans. 1t is on a boom now
and those who can stand the climate
can make money better than in most
places. 1t is really funny how the big
hirers Of labor for foreign works deal
with the poems. They, or their agents,
look around and get suitable men, at
a contract ranging from 20 cents to 81
per day. If any distance is to be
traversed transportation is provided
but there is a gradual deduction from
salary to pay for it. From that mo-
ment the hired man is prisoner. He
is put with many others, in a ina
son." a building or some large room,
and allowed twelve cents per day or
board, which is supplied to the whole
gang by compatriot for about s
cents. The rest goes in pulque and
cigarros. They are paid salaries, but
| do not get them until they get to their
destination. When all is ready they
| are marched to the depot in charge
of the police, put on the train and
guarded to their destination. If any
desert or break their contract they go
to Jail.
Naturally considerable interest is
being taken in the American presiden-
tial election and McKinley's nominal
ton is thought so advantageous for
Mexico that good wishes for his sue
cess are expressed. This is mainly
for his endorsement of the gold stan
dard, which has been so advantage
Gus for Mexico, for under it native in
dustries have increased and prosper
ed, employment found for her people
and riches amassed that would have
gone to have enriched America or
some other country. The exchange
has done this and has proven a big
protection for native industries. Then
again the Mckinley idea of reciproci-
ty, as was Blaine's, is favored by the
enterprising and progressive for its
adoption would be of advantage to
Mexico.
i There is a well defined rumor that
at recent meeting of the cabinet the
question of taxation was considered
and steps ordered that are to be taken
with the view to a satisfactory re-
vision of taxes. To further this end
committees of the different elements
in taxation will be appointed and