Evening journal., 1896-10-27
FREE SILVER MEXICO.
Former Wilmingtonian Writes
Some Facts.
NO SUCH THING AS HARD TIMES.

EVEN INDIAN WORKMEN LIVE
WELL.
The hue and cry that has been raised
against miserable free silver Mexico,
appears now to he a campaign canard
of the first magnitude. The true situa-
ton is clearly explained by we'll
known former Wilmingtonian, Charles
G. Farra. who has spent eight years In
Mexico. where he sought and found q
good situation, something very difficult
to accomplish in this country. Writ
ing from the City of Mexico, October
10, Mr.. Farra says:
"The papers containing speeches of
Candidate Bryan you kindly sent
reached me all right some time ago.
81 was glad, indeed, to get them, as
our newspapers, both Spanish and
English. give only brief accounts of po-
litical doings in the States, and but
short extracts from important speeches.
You probably know that l am
partisan of free coinage.
Il think | would be in favor of the
old-time money and the Chicago plat
form anyhow, under existing condi-
tions in the United States, even though
had never had any Mexican expe-
rience
q know that Mexico is being held
up as an awful example of what would
follow should the United States decide
to adopt free coinage Of silver. The
gold standard people seem to have
found a strong point in comparing the
pauper labor of Mexico on a silver
basis with the high rate of pay en-
loved by the American workingman
living under the gold standard.
Anyone in the least informed upon
the past history of Mexico must know
how very unfair such a comparison is,
even though the statements concern
ing conditions were facts.
"From the time that bold adventurer,
Cortez. came upon the soil OF Mexico.
with cross in one hand and sword
I'm the other. to subdue the innocent
and thrifty Aztecs, the great bulk of
the inhabitants, have been a prey TO
everything that could further degrade
them. 1t is only in the last two decades,
since the advent of railroads and the
enforcement of wise laws by a liberal
government, that the people have dis
covered they have some rights on
earth.
"The tyranny Of Spanish rule was far
worse than the Cubans have ever sut-
fered, and for long period following
the. gaj9ipg. OF independence rom
| history is little more than a series o.
revolutions. The domination of the
church kept the people stepped II
/ ignorance and superstition. The dis
/ astrous American war and the severa
! times when the country has been vic
| tim of the ambition of foreign princes
/ further retarded progress. The system
of peonage inflicted upon the Indian 10y
| the land owner in former times, was a
/ form of bondage, compared to which q
| chattel slaves condition was often one
of complete bliss.
Surely a country with such recent
/ history could scarcely be expected T.
rise to the level of the most enlight-
ened nation in one generation. Still
to-day Mexico is enjoying prosperity
and Of the kind that reaches out to al
classes of the people.
"There are no railroads in receivers
hands. On the contrary, they are al
constantly increasing their earnings
/ Old lines are being extended and sew
eral new ones are being built; the mosi
notable Colonel Hampson's line, from
the capital to Acapulco on the Pacific.
Bank failures are seldom heard OF
the reports show that all pay gooC
? dividends. besides keeping respectable
reserve funds. Business Of all KINDS
seems to prosper. At any rate, on'
scarcely ever hears the cry of hare
times. which. for some years past, ha'
hecome chronic in the United states
Free coinage Of silver is no new thini
in Mexico. 1t has never been on an.
other basis. The government slmpl'
coins all silver brought to its mints
4 lust as it has been doing for nearly 80
, years.
"The secretary of the treasury find
= no difficulty meeting the governmen
! | obligations, there being comtortaDl
) surplus at present, even while take
are being reduced. He doesn't lose an
4 sleep troubling about a gold reserve
nor does his conscience rise up asalhs
him for having been mixed up IN an
affair on the order Of Mr.. Carlisle's LAT
.. bond deal
} "The 'ifty-cent' dollar so muc
talked of and abused has always pee
worth one hundred cents in MeXlc'
where it circulates and is at home. II
value never has deprecated in any pa
Of the country. At the present tim
with exchange 1913, it's purchasin
d power is just as great in any natiN
y product as it was twelve years ago,
8 which time the Mexican dollar WI
,t only trifie less in value than go
i one. In fact many commodities a.
i much cheaper now as new enterpris'
have been constantly springing l
n which manufacture a variety OF art
4 cles formerly imported from abroad.
10 1T need not make a difference to al
'e permanent resident OF Mexico VIII
r their dollar is worth in the Unit'
States, Italy or the Fiji Islands, so loI
g as it will buy 100 cents worth of pr
,e duce in any business house or mark
s. at home. It is plainly apparent tn
n the appreciation of gold has great
49, benfted Mexico. The gold premium
bar against extravagant import
as ton, thereby encouraging home man
factures. while at the same time it
= an incentive TO the investment of 70
eign capital.
A. "The street railway system OF tn
q city was lately sold and is now bell
4 operated by a foreign syndicate. II
4 price paid was $4,000, 900. There