The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1877-11-20

Commencement Of the Winter Cam
paign-Hcw to Make Vagrancy
Profitable il Not Odious- Sensl-
BILE Suggestions of Dr. Elliott.

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BILE Suggestions of Dr. Elliott.
The near approach Of winter brings vii
it our annual visitation of tramps-son
OF them worthless vagabonds, many OF thel
victims of unthrift and carelessness, an
some hard working, honest men, who al
jOurneying to seek that employment the
could not find at home. Night after nigh
our police are called upon 10 extend she
ter to these homeless wanderers, and a. Tia
weather becomes more rigorous, their mum
Der will increase
Situated MS Sedalia is, al the crossing o
two of the greatest fhoronghiares IT, TN
west, which extend to the four cardinal
points OF the compass, it can safely reIy
upon being visited by an army OF medicsnt
who travel in those directions. As il ia a
present, shelter Is never refused to thos,
who apply for it. They are taken to tn,
city Jail, which il warm and comfortable
and locked in for the night. They receiv.
empty stomachs in the morning 10 resume
their wanderings or 10 loaf about town
begging or stealing, until arrested as
Migrants or thieves.
There is a remedy for this evil, and il il
cannot be abolished, it should be utilized.
These tramps claim shelter, and the
dictates Of humanity accord 1t to them
They cannot be allowed to lie out and
freeze to death, or to be driven to resort TO
mSrder. burglary or robbery by their des-
peration. But they should be made to pay
for their lodging, and in addition to that
they should be provided with a cheap,
wholesome breakfast, and be made to pay
for that also, in labor.
The abominable condition OF our streets
is but too we'll known. Let the men who
claim the charity Of the city earn it, and
in the morning let them break rock tor SO
many hours to render fair compensation
for their lodging and breakfast-not as a
disgrace or punishment, but as payment
for value received. Sometimes there is
~ many As eight or ten men provided with
shelter in one night. This number put to
work would accomplish considerable. We
believe il this plan were adopted it would
result in lessening the number OF vagabonds
who make this a stopping place in winter. |
or and turing their idleness to account.
Tie following is DIR. Eliott's suggestions |
70 the MayOr of st Lolis.
The suggestion would make is an obvi-
Oas one, not bordering On sentimentalism.
and, perhaps, to those vino are inexperi
enced in the treatment OF chronic paupers
and dead beats, may Seem harsh. IL il that
work at about hog uayes be supplied. under
police superintendence. SO that every one
begging for food or lodging must earn il bv
full amount OF honest labor, before re-
ceIving relief or any return for IL. Let
soup houses or kitchens be opened in several
parts Of the city, 80 as TO avoid confusion at
any one point. and in immediate connection
with each or i'm the near vicinity, let a
work-yard or sheds be established, with
rock piles and hammers for street-macada-
mlzing work. Perhaps some other kind Of
plain and common labor could he devised
in addition. Then, when the applicant
comes, let him be required 10 do two hours
fair work for every meal and lodging,
which world practically fix his wages (but
not payable in money! At 60 cents per day,
being an allowance of Is cents for every
meal and the same for lodging. For that
rnm, "a 1 know by trial, an abundant and
substantial meal, soup and boiled meat,
potatoes and bread can he supplied, and the 6
cost 70 the city, taking into account the low
rate Of payment for work done, would be /
reduced almost to nothing ;
What would be the probable results?
/. No one who could find work elsewhere ,
II better wages would come to the city soup
houses and wOrk-sheds; but there would be
, certain recourse in failure in all other.
>. The decent man, If really out Of means.
would be thankful for the opportunity Of
honestly earning his food aud lodging with "a
Dut the disgrace Of begging, and though q
poorly paid would be saved from absolute ,
3. A stop would be put, partially at least.
70 city tramp Begging, for the applicants at
private houses. could be told where to go
or food and shelter, on condition for work.
ing, and il would be possible TO refuse them !,
without feeling Of inhumanity. At pres :
mt, let the man he ever so strong and stout, |
he relief can scarcely he denied
4. The thoroughbred pauper or tramp ,
FOnld not come at all, CT only at the ex- :
IRENE pinch Of hunger. To work hard for
mere food and lodging wages, would excite
nis extreme disgust. The proposal would
insult him. A days work on such terms
md without whiskey would be more than
MS tender sensibilities could bear. \