, 1877-08-19

10 the Editor Of 7he GroutcT:
CHICAGO, Aug. l8.-We can hardly Iook Into
ncwspaprr but we see some mention made Of the
rush into the cities Of men from the country, and
the general dislks manifested for farm labor by
things they frequently adviae young people gcncse
ally TO stsy AWAY from the city and be coptented
with The farm. This Is all very good, bnt they 60
on 70 advise men ont Of employment in the city TO
get into tho country. Very good advice no DOUBT
bnt few realize now utterly imposs,blc for many to
follow that adsica. Many ypoor men With whom I
have been in contact in this city would gadT leave
If they had money enough to get out with; One
great reason OF our strikes and riots WAS surplus
Of n,en In the cites. Ii there we're no u'ore ncn
in city than were required to do the work there
would be few idle hands. and you know the old
saying. Satnu finds work for idle hanis to do y
fvs to
ton to the deserving poor who desire to 80 into
tho county to lire not TRANSPORTATION to tho pc:-
tho noor have they, vaue ~ highly as do thoi.
wealthicr neiehhors their goods and chattels. II
they were Obliged to dispose Of 5hem they M @ would
replace with new, which they could i'll afford.
II no other arrangement could be made with the
railroad companies, I am convinced that It would
!hc money by taxation, or by appropriation by
Legislature, or in some other way, and pay tue
railroad COMPANIES the regular rates 81 tFauspora-
ton AMI freight: To be sure it would cost con-
siderable amount OF money, bnt am not srre but
it won}d be money, sayed ii, the end. Our riot
COS; US in subaaing G i and II the cessation OF
It.,
lively little beside thu losses sustained in Pitts
burg anu elsewhere. II all these losses of the
Government, the people generally, and the rail-
ronds, could be summed pD nnd tue aamc amount
Of money been laid out in transporting these poot
families out into the country, what an amount Of
happiness might have been caused, and It would
have had tendency to prevent these strikes and
riots. by taking AWAY some OF the surplus help TO
eauaIize the supply and the demand. What
happy condition Of the niairs Of labor 1t the de-
maid equals the supply! Eut. III regard TO tho
cost OF this, think when the railroad companies
transportation scheme that thcJ would also favor
IT, and ii they did not give It free they would mike
great reductions. It would be good plan to put it
into the povee Of the Mayor OF his city to issue
passes, ind 10 appoint committees to investigate
into the circumstances and characters Of those ap-
taxing advantage OF free pass system to crafty
their travelling propensties and fncsinatlon.. The
passes should be issued only to those who are wur-
thy, and only good to 90 out OF cities into the
country not out OF one city into another, and only
good for 100 miles, OF any DISTANCE agreed upon
this subject / hope to lirc to sec the day when
rhis scheme will be in active operation, as believe
that it would be the means Of doing away with
grenr deal OF suffering in our large Cities Nothing
should be left undone that will be likely to amclio-
rate the condition OF tho poor, and what can be
done let it be done quickly. for many are predict
ing hard winter for all and especially hard for the
destitute ScRlnSER ScHATcH -HAHD-
That something should be done to help unct-
ployed men into the country where tney may be
of some use to themselves and to mankind gen
orally, Is generally admitted. Are there not
enough responsible and Interested men in Chi
cago to establish some sort Of a bureau having
this object in view?