The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-10-01

have constituted source from which
the peasant obtained, free of charge,
the material for fertilizing his land.
Recently, however, one of the munlcl-
palities, in order to get revenue, sold
the right to these pools to private com.
pany, which in turn distributed the FER
tilizing material to the peasants, not
free of charge as heretofore, but for a
fixed sum. The peasants recognizing
the evil economic effect of this change
organized boycott not only against the
company, but also against any fellow
peasant who dared to purchase from the
company, thus establishing essentially
the same boycott which the Irish have
long welded against their enemies.
The result Of it all has been that, &C
cording to yesterdays paper, some 200
or 800 peasants came in conflict with
the gendarmes, and had some six Of
their number killed and twelve seri-
ously injured.
Having characterized briefly the sur
roundings Of Naples shall now turn
to the city itself. My six days stay in
tho city has proved very profitable, not
because of any sight seeing" as the
tourist usually looks for, but simply
because certain sections Of Naples, it
seems to me, represent extreme cases of
slum conditions.
Owing perhaps TO its situation and al
50 to the fact that Naples is a sea port,
we find in it so many peculiarities, not
met with in Wisconsin, that think it
worth while to mention few As far
as possible | have tried to illustrate
these peculiarities by the postal cards
which | enclose under separate cover.
Generally speaking the life of a peo-
pie is one of the most inaccessible things
to get at. In most countries the people
are very apt to disguise their actions
and feelings from the foreign onlookers,
and as rule try to be at their best
when they are conscious of some inqui.-
tive observer. To this general rule
Naples and the surrounding country
proves the contrary Foreigner or no
foreigner, the people seem to care about
nothing but themselves. Thus in the
main thoroughfares innumerable coach
men will snap their whips near your
r., OF
and when they have this, will begin to
"jew" down their own price until it
dwindles into mere pttance. Similar
ly innumerable booths will bang their
brushes against their stands with in
credible force and will point out to the
foreigner in rather offensive way, that
his shoes need little better gloss than
they already have.
Turning little from the principle
thoroughfare we are met with curious
sights on every hand. First of all we
notice the enormous number of fruit,
lemonade and toy stands. Next we no.
tice the exceedingly large number of
beggars who indeed present a lament
able sight, hnt who, if all supplied with
coppers, would tax the pocketboob ex-
cessively. We, also cannot help notic-
ing the strange combinations of oxen
and donkeys hitched to the same wagon.
Lastly the stranger fails to notice any
of our common milk wagons, the COWS
and goats being driven along the streets
and in some cases, rs / have observed,
are MIXED while standing on thc side
walk of leading street.
But the sights which greet the strang-
er as he wanders through some of the
narrower and more remote streets are
still more interesting. Here one sees
women washing clothes in the middle of
the street, Everywhere one sees WON
EN-, men and children lying squarely
across the stone sidewalks, and fast
asleep. having very little regard for the
pedestrian, who az q matter OF course
turns out in order to pass. One of the
view S enclose represents some twelve
boys and men huddled together across a
sidewalk. The sight here presented is
only typical OF manv met with constant
ly Naples, it should be remembered is
not at all reluctant in advertising its
social conditions. While I have found
it very difficult and often impossible to
procure views showing the bad side Of
life, l have found no difficulty whatever
in Naples in procuring ell the views l
wanted; in fact, the first views shown
TO the stranger are the views of which |
write. 1t is needless to say that many
OF these street sleepers are very scantily
clothed, and in many cases posses only
the rags they wear. and the stone where
on they can Law their head" AS the
result of numerous inquiries learn that
even capable laborer in Naples can
earn an average wages of only 30 or 30
cents a day
But my letter is again growing unduly
long, | will therefore stop enumerating
the many sights Of Naples. just one
more fact about Naples. ! refer to the
fact, that, whether buying fruit from a
fruit dealer, or stamps in postoffice or
tickets in a railway Office. the stranger
is obliged many times to call attention
to the fact that he is waiting for his
change. or if change has already been
given him. that he IA waiting for more
change. After calling for the change,
L al. IL,