To describe the life of the country people of Chile it is necessary to
classify the disintegrate parts which enter into combination with all
those who till the soil, and in which each has a personal and common
interest. The first grade in the classification is the peon, the lowest
class, who owns no land, and is illiterate, hard working, destitute,
and docile.
The second, Land Owner No. 1, lives upon a small plot of non-productive
ground. The possession is small, but nevertheless his own, acquired by
industry, economy, or inheritance. If he works for others as a peon, it
is a matter of choice. If he has sons they work where they choose. His
land being insufficient to maintain himself and family, is used as a
residence only.
The third husbandman in the classification is different only in
distinction as to the amount of his worldly effects; his habits,
customs and life are the same as Land Owner No. 1, except upon a little
more extensive scale. He is perhaps more selfish and self-contained.
His ambition is not to improve himself or his family, but to add to his
money and possessions. He is facilitated somewhat in his avaricious
aims by his small means.
The fourth grade in the agricultural classification is the outgrowth,
the evolution of the classes below him. He calls himself a gentleman,
but lacks the breeding, manners and education to justify the title.
He is of the “roto” type, only richer, and better dressed, on parade
occasions. He owns lands sufficient to support himself and family
without manual labor. This independence is usually acquired by years of
selfish economy and penuriousness, or by inheritance or marriage. His
one aim in life seems to be the acquisition of money, no matter by what
means.
Fifth and last in the grading of the agriculturists comes the
hacendado, or landlord, the owner of large, valuable and productive
haciendas. He usually regards himself as the prince of earth,
all-powerful and influential. His hacienda is his dukedom, his
fortress. No one can enter or leave without his permission and all
within its limits do his bidding unquestioned. He is lord and monarch
of all he surveys, and takes little heed of those below his social
station. The hacendados run politics and make presidents, name
congressmen, senators, judges and governors.