New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-18
THE TRAMP PROBLEM.
TIE TRAMP PKDBLEM.
HOW TO PUT THEM AT wORK-THE MAKING OF GOOD
CLOTHES FOR THE POOR.


To me Edftor Of The TrtbunS
SIR: From an educated German tramp"
learned this summer that hundreds Of skilled cabinet
makers wachmakcrS jewelers. etc, were out OF employ
mcnt and traycrsng the country to find IT. Think OF the
condition of these men they stad IN the hot reekng,
poor quarters u IA city like NewfOrk! In the country
roads they find breathing room and the sod Is better bed
th the flooring Of somo cellar At the farmhouses they
ofener get fed than refused, glad to say This very
German was nguist he spoke English with grammati-
cal elegance He had been educated, he said. for mer-
chant house. had s county TO better his fortune
but had twice fallen sick before gaining employment ana
was lust then hospital His atenuated face and
thin trembling fingers bore evidence to the truth OF that
art Of his story at least. Surely a little respect
fu consideration shown 10 such man Is not misplaced,
nor need any fear she fool IL she feels com
passion for But wOmans compassion and drlolcts
of food are not going to end the trouble they only
alleviate IT, Men, and men OF position. only can do A.
when the panic" sent all these poor men afoat, cap
alists cried out 0yor-producon," called IN Their
funds, hid them away. and are tremDngY waiting Tor
some political Moses to part the waters that they may
walk over on dry land. Was there "oyer-productionr
OF shoddy, yes. Or trash. yes. OF aduteIation yes
Whom the sh0ddy, the trash, the adulteratlon FOR
For rich OF the we-to-doi Nay. verify: Let any
one walk through street gwen over 10 retail traic III
any OF large elties and examine the piles OF goods
exposed at the oIs for sale They will ind large
portions OF 1t unfit for any purpose whatever
They lave no beauty, warmth, durability, nor claims
TO fitness. Will sensible well-to-do person buy any
tended for market or innocent simDles! what earl
cature on integrity in manufacturers Hide Il or sol III
rags my counrymeu and Try the production OF non
est stufs Tor those ieowcitizens" whom You at TINS
time delight honor! Bang out your capital; SET
YOUR uls going spin good strong threads, weave Dand-
some cheap stuS, let wool he wool ana hot waste De
satisfied with living percentage from capital invested;
40 not eXnct usury from the poor on cOttOnades Keep
grouud peas your pepper dirt trom your drugs;
uut flint IN your glass, glue on your ur.lture; make
shoes that viii prove instruments Of torture 20 little
children and that Will keep together for more than two
weeks that the poor ana above all the poor woman,
may get their pound for ter pennies anu There VIII no
LONGER be "OVer-prOduCtiOn" Put the Wiling one To
work ut what his egh1or needs; pay each man his daily
wages that his family may he able To purchase their
sOiong needed comforts, and in little while money
will be In free crculatOn for. it's not the
wants OF the wealthy nation they sup
Piled largely the seas) but the wants of the
workers Tor they buy what * made at their doors.
Let the thoughtful push the active In the matter let the
spend little time In demonstrating how toll
ing man aud nj, family must be allowed 10 live to lie
good and happy instead OF running after Dame Nature
with sharp stick trying 10 beat her secrets out of her.
How man came 10 exist is but "A pgmy among prob
lens when the question Of How shall he best exist ~
looms up like mountain before When the last
question the most vitality important OF the
Gay then shall De worthy the name OF Christians,
and only then shall the tread Of The tramp" cease IN
land. MRS. ID.
Deiqcdre County, Penn. Nov. IA, 1876.