The New Dominion

MEXICAN PEONISM.

A System of Serfdom More Hopeless Than Was That of Russia.

Peonism in Mexico is voluntary slavery, and comes about in this wise: A laborer borrows a sum of money (perhaps to get married with, or to pay for the baptism of his child, or for the funeral ceremonials of a relative—which demands a bonus of not less than nineteen dollars) and offers himself, i. e., his labor, for security. It is needless to add that the debt can never be paid. the mortgage is foreclosed and the obligation descends from father to son. Peons, whose ancestors contracted debts with long dead proprietors, continue to live upon the same estate, and their children and grandchildren after them, in a condition of serfdom more hopeless than that of Russia, because the victims themselves have no desire to rise above it. Generations come and go, but the shackles never fall, though no record remains of the original obligation. The peon is paid for his labor on an average of twelve cents per diem—not in money, but in leathern checks, which pass current at the "store," which is a feature of every hacienda—on about the same plan that agents and traders deal with Indians in the United States. Of course the proprietor can charge what he pleases for all the necessaries of life, and it generally happens that those who are completely in his power become deeper and deeper in debt as the years go by. To the casual observer the wretchedness of peon poverty seems so great that its shadow obscures the sunlight in fair Mexico, but after long residence here I am not sure that this system, which borders on the patriarchal, is not best for a naturally idle and irresponsible people. At any rate, to be suddenly turned adrift from their homes within the hacienda walls, where at least they are sure of food, shelter and protection, and left to shift for themselves, would be the greatest misfortune which could befall them to-day.—Fannie B. Ward, in Cincinnati Enquirer