Tombstone epitaph., 1896-10-04
UNDER FREE SILVER.
MeXieo'S Prosperity Increases
 Day by Dav.

'H"' Nt~Atis ' ms fiSsHSiSd uhHSI Ell yer. IT, says:
 ''l do not care to discuss the effect of the silver coinage on the material interests of Mexico with view Of influencing the result of the coming National election in the United states. Such course ou my part would be wholly improper, con- siiering the friendly and peaceful re- lstions existing between the United States and Mexico. The present polit- icsl issue in the former country is the question of the money standard, and do not wish to be regarded ss in any wise attempting to affect the outcome. l can give the facts relative 70 existing industries and the establishment Of new opes in Mexico under our finan- cisl system, and each may draw his own conclusions ss 10 the causes which have produced such an aNsk ening in commercial and indust -ial affairs. Occular dc monstrations of the vast development may be found by visiting the cotton and woolen mills in our various cities, Some are old, others recently opened. Our paper mills and their output also furnish ev- idence Of cur material prosperity. Until q comparatively recent period all the pulp used m the manufacture Of paper in this country Was imported. and the paper only was made in Mex ico; nov the pulp and everything that enters into the composition 0. the psperis made here. The departments Of the government will furnish exact data and statistics showing the growth Of iomesti; manufactures and co h. merce.
 While our material internal interests have increased steadily and health fully for the ias' 20 years, since the close oi the Indian hints and the repeal of the Sherman law, 60 called, in ,he United States, the growth oi Mexico's commercial and industrial in- terests has been particularly marked. The consequent appreciation in the price of gold and the increase in eI- change between Mexico and the gold standard countries at oLce operated to reduce importstions and stimulate home manu!ac,ures.
 The added price of exchange VA. in effect an addition to the tsriff. The importer added 10 the original cost the duty and cost oi exchange, Our cotton and woolen mills already in operation were obliged 10 enlarge their capacity and new ones were es- :sbli.hed. The number Of operatives necessarily had to be greatly increased.
 To chow the falling of in the con sumption Of foreign merchandise, i. may be said that the year prior 10 the increase of foreign exchange on silver our customs collections at the ports Of entry amounted to S32 ,00O.0G0. The next year they were sl4,O00.O00. In the fiscal year ending in 1890 our i'm por,a,ions exceeded S59, 100000. In the fscal year ending in 1895 they were slightly in excess of S34 900 900. h., ta increased. In lS90-9l they amounted to $63 GOO 900, and in IS95-95 to s90,- GOO GOO. There was nothing in the nature of commercial panic consequent upon the sharp advance in silver ex- change.
 Our mer chants are conservative and careful, and bank and business fail ures..are happily rare in Mexico under any circumstances. As to wages and the condition of laboring men, consid- ering the nature of the work and classes of industry, they comp,re f.vorably lith those in other coun- tries.
 The d. mand for skilled la'or has grown with the great increase in the number Lf mills and manuiac.Ories. This demand in all branches of labor is strong. The added exchange has not impaired the value of our dollar ns applied to the purchase Of articles of home manufacture. les buying power is unchanged in this respect, and prices of domestic merchandise and produce vary only according to the supply and the demand.
 Heavy investments of foreign capital in Mexican enterprises have been
 made since the appreciation of gold
 elsewhere.
 There is another point O! view. TE,
 foreign debt of the country is paystl'
 in gold. The duties on imported mer
 chan Iise are collected in silver, or on
 silver basic. The high rates ot ex
 change, together with the decrease il