The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-10
Geo. Seward, Harry OverhOlt
and Other Topekans
Who We're Soon to Start For
Mexico
CHANGE THEIR MINDS.
Word From Mr.. NickersOn Says
Not Advisable Now.
Danger That Americans May
Pour in Too Fast.

A party consisting of Harry Overholt
of the state treasurer's office, George
Seward, assistant state treasurer, w H
Ruff, of the pension office, Fred Jenness
and several others organized sometime
ago to go to Mexico early next spring
or before. It was their intention to Sc
cure railroad work. The ardor of the
party has, however, been somewhat
dampened by the letters they have
received during the past two or three
days.
7 had fully intended to go.'' said Mr..
OverhOlt to a Journal reporter today,
but I have changed my mind and I be-
lieve now that L shall not go. All the
reports we have received have been
most discouraging- Here is letter
from H. r. NickerSOn who used to be
in Topeka and who is now general sup
erintendent of the Mexican Central
railroad. He says that Mexico is over
run with people looking for work and
he can offer no reimbursement what
ever. He says that if I went down
there I would have to start work for
less than an American can live on. He
advises me not to go.
Il have received other letters Just as
discOuraging and so have decided not
to go and I believe that the other boys
viii also give up going
Apropos of this matter the December
number of Modern Mexico delivered
to its Topeka subseri bers today con
AS has been frequently said in these
columns, Modern Mexico is not published
with the intention OF upholdng the south
ern repuplc as land OF unnlzed bless
ings. a place where big fortunes may be
made without capital. or high salaries re-
ceiVed without merit and return Of
hard work Hundreds of fortunes ana
thousands of comfortable homes have
been made in Mexico from the cultivation
and sale of coffee and fruits. and more
fortunes win be made in the next ten
years from these products But there are
a n les md al n71fa-r
other countrv on earth. and when a moor
man in the states is told that all he needs
is money enough to get to Mexico, that
coffee trees viii average six pounds
apiece a year, and that for the five or six
years he will have to wait until his trees
begin bearing he can feed his family and
pay his taxes with sunshine. he should
not believe it any more than he would
such an impossible proposition offered
him in the states.
Mexico is harmed. just as every coun-
try during its development, by boomers
who have no regard for truth or the mis-
fortunes that may befalI their victims
No man should give UP his situation
his farm to come to Mexico to locate. any
more tnan ne SnOuld go TO any otnef
country unless he comes with a living
provided from the start or sufficient capi-
tai to support himself until he can count
upon returns from the business in which
he engages. This is only common sense
No young man with a situation in the
United States can afford to leave it to
come to Mexico without something def
mite in view. unless he is specially quail
fed by reason of his knowledge of the
country and its language to command
situation. There are openings in Mexico
for the right young men, but the great
differences in business and social GUS
toms, laws and language. must all be con-
sidered- A young man with capital
enough to come TO Mexico and spend a
year learning the language. the ways Of
the people of Mexico. would probably
MRve little difficulty in securing employ
rffent. To a young man who has the
Mexico fever and who would leave
comfortable position to come to Mexico.
unprepared for entirely new conditions,
our advice is simply-don t.