The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-11-06
The Truth About Mexico-Geo. o.
.SkeIIy, a Goid-mine Owner
Throws Light on the
Subject.
From The Silver Knight-Watchman

Subject.
From The Silver Knight-Watchman.
SANTA ANA, CAL, Oct. II, 1896.
Dear Sir Il am engaged in mining in
Mexico. employ, at times, number Of
met, both American and Mexican.
hear so much talk about cheap labor in
Mexico thought would say something
on the subject myself, especially as 1 may
be supposed to know little about it,
being in my SEVENTEEN year in the Sierra
Madre range, in the state of Durango,
Mexico
When first went to Mexico there was
considerable cheap labor there. Probably
they mean then. But the times have
changed since for both republics. Times
were good when railroads were building
in the West seventeen years ago, but the
construction of railroads meant money
expended, which produced temporary
good times in the West. But the people
who live in the West and try to export
their products know by this time that
good times were then as unsubstantial as
the delusive mirage seen OIL the Mojave
desert, promising much water little
father on to the furnishing prospector who
was hoping to find mine or farm on
which to rear home, because it costs all
the profits of farm to ship the products.
But to the point. Would you kindly
get some Of these people to furnish me the
information about where these 35-cent per
day laborers live? 1 want few of them
say 10, ooo-I want to do kindness to
my friends i'll Durango also, and engage
enough IS cent men to go around.
My mine isn't paying much, but think
I may find good metal deeper down,
otherwise, at the rate am paying help
now may be compelled to close down.
have been paying 81 per day TO peon
Indians (my drillers make from $3.50 to
S2.75 per day, according to the shifts and
ground, eight to ten hour shifts for the
last eight years and whenever there has
been any changes i'll the salary depart
nent, 1 notice get spared, not the peon
nor the Barritiso.
| l believe i'll Zacetecas, on the Mexican
Central Railroad mines, they get rather
poor wages. The work is scarce as the
mines are mostly closed down, but the
Zacetecanos are such rascally set of
petty larceny ore thieves, ETC.. don't
| oy1to Nf
''V'' there without getting quen dollar
which shows that silver has some merit or
they wouldn't counterfeit it so much.
But my object i'll writing this is to tell
you that protection and Mr. Harrison, ex-
President of the United States, having
driven capital into Mexico during his
term at the expense of my own country
and people, will cause me to remain
under IS per day expense until 1 vote
for the free silver candidate at FL Paso,
Tex. 1 would prefer to vote in doubtful
state, if there were any this time.
A prohibition tariff on fuxing ores from
Mexico, paid for by owners of dry ores in
the states "robbing Peter to pay Paul"
system, made the Gugenheims leave
Pueblo, Colo, and Kansas City Smelling
works and carry thirty-fve millions to
Monterey, Mex, and erect the largest
smelling plant in the world, where they
find peon labor instead of white. AT
Monterey, Mex, Nuevo Leon state, there
was erected during the years of Harrison's
administration large furniture factory,
an immense brewery, nail works, three
smelling plants, etc. l am personally
acquainted with men who were shipping
hogs from Kansas and Missouri who were
making immense profits shipping to
Mexico. The Mexican government re-
tailiated on lead ores and fixed all that
mighty quick.
Though have just returned from Cen
trail America OIL short run, did not see
anything i'll the stores there not English,
French or German. Why is it that Uncle
Sam can't supply his neighbors when
they are so close! found them all wear
ing buttons with Uncle Sans co1ors
DIShbS'i with lllSilS, luC ulOllO .
Ameyica papa los americun0S," which
shows we ale not disliked as the English
and others.
won't give the Mexicans credit for
any superior WISDOM but think they
are blamed lucky in having free coinage
everything points that way. Prosperity
ahead of anything l ever dreamed of
exists there. There's plenty of money TO
do the business on and the cash is all
right, though it brings only So cents in
gold. But we don't seem to need gold;
we get things from England yet and
France also. haven't noticed any change
in costs Of goods except American goods
dollar buys just as much as it did five
years ago; everybody is contented and
happy. We don't grieve for the 'jaun-
diced colored sweethearts of the 'hupper
ten, " but rejoice in the possession of
fairer one.
By the way, am gold miner at pres
ent, or my mine happens to be a gold
mine. Silver free coinage will suit any
honest man, and the other one too i'll the
end GEO. G.. SKELLY.