New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-20
AetpNork Dailp Mibm,re
PROBLEM OF PAUPERISM
To tie Editor Of The n. Y. Tribune.

SIR: The American statesman who would deserve
true title to the appeation, ought have an answer
to that most important question pIopounded TO the
American people" What do yOE proposs to do about
PGspeTism ~
Its proper solution involves only the happiness
but the perpetuity of the Republic and perhaps
pacity of mankind to sustain free and rational govern
ment.
Hew-York is probably as prosperous State as any
in the Union, and therefore affords fair subject for
criticism in her policy Of civilization Her statirtcs of
pauperism show constant and aOceerating increase in
the number of those requiring more or less public
sstance to keep body and soul together" Tnis
fact proves that must be radical in the prn
cipes governing the growth of Der progress.
Every citizen who in favor of the grand theory Of
American government, Equality of Rights Gin the en-
oyment of life liberty and the pursuit OF happiness,
ought 50 have definite idea why polzcal system
has thus aided in realizing its great ideal, the welfare
and hsIpness OF the whole community, tar as they
depead Ou the arrangements and institutions of society.
My views will now state definitely ss can.
In the very interesting article with which you intro
duced this subject your felow-ctizens, yOu sug-
gested the establishment of gigantic workhous-s,
"opon to every conner" This suggestion shall not
combat but hope its realization, III scme shape or de-
gree may neorste the most pressing needs OF nvo-
untary clers during the early days of the inauguration
Of a remedial system that shall reach toe seat OF the
disease and gradually effect and maintain permanent
cure.
The root of the evil exists in false legislation, the
fIuirs of which are the overwhelming burdens pile
upon the shoulders of labor through the agency OF
UsURY on MONEY AND LAND. II the right remedies be
adopted the first generation thereafter will witness 80
huge a relief from the mighty evils of pauPerism that
there viii be no danger Of retrogression.
&" The land belongs TO the race" and every ind
vidual has as much right proper portion Of 1t as he
has to life ITSELF 1t he must exit, and from 1t de-
rive bis chief sustenance Now society, In e.
tablsling its laws in relation to the Land has no
right TO adopt such system as viii deprive
any one of a Just participation IN the common
ratrmony of the race The letter and spirit of the
theory of our Government recognize this great primer
ple but thus far in our career little attention has
been mid 10 the consequences OF It's violation. Inherit
inc and following the lead of the despotsms Of Europe
IN this matter. we have allowed money to monopoize
any quantity of land, and extort heavy tribute from
all who occupy It, The natural tendency of this unwise
arrangement is to make but two classes in society,"
few very rich, and the many very poor Two Of the
worst features in the European SYSTEM 1t Is true, nave
been abolished, primogeniture and enta bat that re-
form falls very far short of subdung the evils it was
intended TO cure or mitigate. To meet the present
crisis and indeed to establish principle that will per-
peually secure the great objects Of the American the
orv Of government we mus. restore the people their
tight of individual possession of the SOIL To tins end
let il be enacted that from and after the 18th of july
1860 no person shall be capable Of holding by purchase
OF inheritance in this State any greater amount OF land
than is herein specified in the respective localities Ge
sienated viz: Within the Incorporated bounds OF all
cities containing 100 0OO inhabitants and upward, the
Ern shall be 100 feet square for all cities AMI VHages
Of less than 100 GEO inhabitants 2 feet square ana
leo acres in farm land All sales to be recorced IN the
County Clerks Office The homestead not TO be liable
10 forced sale, under any pretense whatever
This scantv outline will 70 indicate the spirit
AND mode of operation Of measure which IN one gen
Grafton would rescue Stale from that appalling gun
of paupers that threatens TO swallow up everything
that ought 10 be dear the philanthropSt and repub-
Hcsn At the end of the first generation sucn mdeouS
institution as The Barracks in Cherry street, with
its 40 families the natural and inevitable elimination
Of our present system, would be sought Tor IN VAIN In
the then Commonwealth OF New-York. The voters OF
that dsy could not be bought and Sold as the homeless
and povertysricken wielders of universal suffrage are
now frequently accused OF being
Thus, without disturbing the present rights OF land
holders gradually, peacefully, and beIehcally Tor all
the BODY polite could throw of the sertdom OF land
lordry as quietly a. it emancipsted it's slaves, COM
mencine in 1900 and in 1898 leaving no chattel slave
in the Empire State.
Land Limitation was one Of the measures hrs'
brought before our counrymen by eonsideraDe eooS
Of Land Reformers" about twenty years ago. Az
that time they were not that the practice was ID
existence anywhere upon be face OF the earth bnt as
evidence that we have not oyerestma'ed the benehcG
results of this far reaching REFORM we solicit an earn
est rerusa of the following extract from IN interesting
hook of travels by he Rev. Charles H. Brace Oh TINS
ctv entitled Hungary in 1912, published by SeiiO
nor lie bsss mage or two, under the heading OF " de-
hreczn developing come of the practical effects oil
Land Limitation in that community. de observes:
Whatever may -sld Of The outside Of pebreezin NO
rcna hospable homes are scarcely 70 DC ioId IN h H.
There beartiress, al oEefhosmg Iosisdi.sy s ~
such a. quite put to iS ina the '0ia''
e sppesrsnce cf the Debrcczin population h@ .oneths
IN It v-ry comfortable and substantial IN Al the "''
iar-s there not noble, but there arc no DeSTars
The buk OF the population are sa9e,h nd ~ bs
"a Would b.. under any ieuda domination Indeed tina.
M c.nar;ty and ineencr whole population seem to
have always been very remarkable Ihey az agiee tnei.
Loverty there and the Protestant BhSp VINO
tuov the peote sd to that 10 has kno"eoge tAe
wee not ahuidIed people IN the citS VINO cona nov iea
boTbood and containing 80 OCO souls there WsIe Tooo
chdren in lie schools Many OF them seemed 70 tlihk
u ,Ts T sher Jei.te provision Of the law that
should ~ land more hoH lzo PEI o. aITas II @
TO be extent Of h landed property ahg9!4 80
french Socialism IL any way thought oil Sss
curious KNOW shout the ae' aus ~ Ieee t " , M in
.pct.d to know ths hsn the iess amount OF is9