position or work, he will find it cheaper than in the United States, but to go to Mexico to eat the same food, to wear similar clothes, and have the same comforts as in the States, he will require two silver dollars for every one dollar received in the United States, and then be worse off in that he has no society and no pleasures.

Not to repeat what I have stated on this subject, I refer the reader who would like to know more fully my views about emigrating to Mexico to the chapter on "Immigration from the United States," in the paper entitled "Geographical and Statistical Notes on Mexico," pages 125 to 129.

Conclusion. I should be very glad if the explanations made in this article result in dispelling some of the errors prevailing in this country in regard to the conditions of labor in Mexico; and I hope that, in case restrictions against Mexican trade are discussed, they will not be urged on the ground that our articles are produced with peon labor. I sincerely hope that both countries, instead of acting in a manner contrary to the ends of nature, which has placed the one beside the other, and has given them different climates, productions, and possibilities, will co-operate with the purpose of nature, and not interpose other obstacles to reciprocal trade than those that are absolutely necessary for their mutual well-being and progress.

APPENDIX No. 1.

I. WAGES.

The following tables of wages paid in Mexico are taken from Mr. Ransom's report on Money and Prices in Mexico, dated at the City of Mexico on September 26, 1896:

WAGES PAID IN THE CITY OF MEXICO IN 1896.

[Per day, except when otherwise stated.]

1 Wages of laborers range from 25 to 67 cents per day; wages of blacksmiths range from 75 cents to $1.50 per day.

WAGES PER DAY PAID IN THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO IN 1896.

WAGES PER DAY PAID IN TEN MEXICAN COTTON FACTORIES-ORDINARY

FACTORY HANDS-IN 1896, MEXICAN CURRENCY.'

Lowest paid men, 25 cents; highest paid men, $2.50; lowest paid women, 12 cents; highest paid women, 75 cents; lowest paid children, 12 cents; highest paid children, 37 cents.

'These rates expressed in United States currency will be about one-half. (The Mexican dollar equals 51 cents in United States currency.)

WAGES PER DAY PAID TO MEXICAN COTTON FACTORY OPERATIVES ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OCCUPATIONS, IN

'At present rate of exchange these rates, expressed in American currency, are about one-half (51 cents to the dollar).

WAGES OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES IN 1896.

MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY.

WAGES PER DAY PAID TO MINERS IN THE DIFFERENT STATES.'

[In Mexican currency, equal in United States currency to about one-half.]