The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-07-23

~ ulucI6ul llOuI oitiS III eAA~ SAAN~>-
States, that it is difficult to compare one
with the other. Taking up first the
SOCIAL. CONDITIONS.
The mass of the people a,e Indians.
They do ali common labor, are not land
owners, and climatic conditions demand
little clothing or shelter. Consequently
we find them lazy, dirty and poor. Their
wages are about as follows:
(a) Men on farms (fncas) 500 to $500
per year, with hut and one acre of land
rent free They board themselves.
(b) Men, carriers, etc, 81 to $2 per
day and board themselves.
(cl Women. s. to $40 per month and
board.
All the above are paid in Guatemala
money at IN per cent discount, which
makes the wages ia American gold
(a) $40 to $50 per year.
(b) 40 cents to SO cents per day.
(c) $I.2o to s. per month.
Next comes the foreign element, Ger
man, French, English, American and
Spanish. They do the business of the
country and own most of the coffee and
sugar fncas (far1ns).
Lastly comes the government circle.
All are natives, (many nearly pure In.
diam and they hold every Office and gov.
| ernnent position from policeman and
soldier to president. The only compari
son can make is: Guatet1ala, govern
ment circle and financial agents; United
States, political efficeholders and bank
ers. Guatemala, foreign elements; U
S., merchants and manufacturers. Qua
tema1a, laborers, Indians; U. S., farm
hands and unskilled laborers. This, YOU
will see, leaves out our farmers, skilled
! mechanics, transportation companies
ETC., which have no equivalent in thi:
country.
MORAL CONDITIONS.
The Indians are, with single except
ion, the most immoral people ever saw
the exception being the balance of Qua
temala's inhabitants. All houses ars
built flush to the street line, leaving {
small court enclosed by the building
Driveways are guarded by iron gates
Doors are heavy and solid, locked BY
ponderous bolts and padlecks. Window
are grated with iron rods like Jail. AL
these are to prevent theft, and miles o
houses, each having this prison-like ap
pearance, tell a most pitiful story o
mans knowledge of his neighbor's weak
ness. Divorce is by mutual consent. Ii
Ouezaltenango and Retalhulen province
the prefect of police has fined fathe
who married his daughter and also repri
manded several men who married thei
own- sisters. Such extreme measures
/ however, can hardly become popular
Bribery is general and open.
POLITICAL. CONDITIONS.
The president is supreme. He is elect
ed by popular vote, wherein his friend
vote their 1aborers as many times as ma
be necessary to insure good majority
and SO the present incumbent PRACTICAL
hands the office over to whom he like:
since it is all arranged beforehand
Three men have had the temerity to at
nounce themselves candidates for pres
dental honors land profits since my a
rival in May. All have been BANIsHEI
The president grants concessions for il
l dustries (for a consideration, appoint
r all officers (also for a consideration
forces loans from banks, levies duties an
amasses wealth at his own sweet will
The Gar of Russia isn't circumstano
:, to him. l mailed you copy of his I'D
s cree" relieving the banks from spec
: payment. This was Immediately folio,
ed by a forced loan of 81, 500, 900, as p'
), clipping from the Journal May 2ot
herewith. These will be further discus
ed in the financial section of this lette
Incidentally, La Republica." liber
e newspaper, found fault with the pre-:
e dents policy and was suspended until
:, editor could prove his statements.
e goes without comment that the paper
u still in suspense.
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
/ do wish Mr.. Bryan were here.
1t should be delighted to witness his mes
ing with silver dollar on its .nati
heath" 1t seems right that few prelil
mary statements should be made befo
judgment is rendered in this case.
!. 1873 Guatemala silver dollar was wor