G. W. CAVINESS by G. W. Caviness

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1902

G. W. CAVINESS

By G. W. Caviness

Mexico

ACCORDING to the report of the American consul, the foreign population of the City of Mexico is as follows: Spanish, 10,000; American, 4,000; French, 3,000; English, 1,500; German, 1,000; Italian, 400. The entire number of Americans in the whole country is estimated at 10,000, so it appears that nearly one half of all the Americans in the republic are in the capital. The ratio would probably be the same for other nationalities. Also in commercial importance the City of Mexico will about equal all the rest of the country.

The English language is spoken on trains, in hotels, and in most large commercial houses by some of the employers or head clerks; but to do business which would bring one in contact with the natives requires a knowledge of the Castilian language. One can learn enough Spanish in a few months to do ordinary business; but to become really proficient requires years of study and practice.

For an ordinary day-laborer, or even for one working at more common trades, Mexico does not offer much inducement. A common laborer receives from fifty cents to one dollar, and a mason or carpenter from one dollar to one dollar and a half a day, Mexican money, which is worth a little less than half as much as United States currency. The Mexican laborer of whatever class is shiftless and unreliable, and never has anything ahead. Carpenters

painters, or masons will come to work for you in the morning, and at ten or eleven o'clock you will have to give them from twelve to twenty-five cents to get their food for the day. This you have to do every day. When you pay them off at the end of the week, there is no assurance that they will return at the beginning of the next week.

On account of this condition of affairs, a foreman, or overseer, who can be depended on is a necessity, and commands good wages. In the running of machinery, skilled workmen are in demand. On railroads, in factories, and mills, foreigners and not Mexicans will be found in charge. As to wages in such positions, it is impossible to give anything definite. Employers pay what they have to; and employees get what they can; but in general, such positions command good salaries.

Such situations cannot often be secured by Sabbath-keepers, although not much attention is paid to Sunday. One can usually get all the help he wants who will work Sunday and rest on Saturday. The best openings are for one who has a small capital, and can establish a business under his own management. He can employ native labor cheap, and with kindness and much patience he can do well both for himself and for his help.

Most of the valuable lands are passing into the hands of a few men. The State of Guerrero is said to belong to twenty-eight men. Haciendas, or ranches, are usually measured by the square league. There are, however, some smaller holdings that a few families with small means might secure; but in my opinion, Mexico is not the place for one who has difficulty to make a living in the United States, and wishes to better his condition by coming here. This will be shown more fully as we consider other particulars of the existing conditions. The need of the people, the good one can do, and the advancement of the message are the things that should attract workers to this most neglected field. In our next article we will note something of the cost of living, and then speak of some of the special lines that seem to present opportunities for doing good.