Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-08-01
Ku-Kluxism in the West.

! there come reports so remarkable that Ii is
! with difficulty that one in the East can give
| them credence. The tramps have resorted
/ TO the rural sections of those States in so
large numbers As to defy local authorities,
waylay railroad trains. demand free trans
portation and break open cars and help
! themselves to the contents. They travel
about in bands and by sheer force OF num-
bers enforce their demands. II Is true that
these manifestations OF lawlessness and
violence on the part Of these yagabonds
are not general, else the State authorities
| would be compelled to scatter such bands
| of freebooters. Already the Governor of
Iowa has given directions for the punish
ment OF such of this vicious army of vaga-
bonds as are found in that State. and the
railroad companies In some instances have
become SO exasperated at the encroaeh-
meats OF the tramps that they are prepar-
! ing to resist them by force.
This Is a very lamentable state Of affairs
TO contemplate. because the tramp Is a
growing evil. The tramp has ceased TO be
a worthless vagTant and has come to be a
brutal ruffian, entitled to the sympathy of
no decent man. Still there are those who
will Insist that the body Of tramps is made
up of men who wander about the country
because they can fnd no work to do. The
facts. however, show that this Is not the
case. The idleneSs of the tramp IS not en-
forced. lie prefers TO wander about and
steal. He will labor when death is the
only alternative. He cares nothing for be-
ing sent to Jail. Indeed, in the iucement
seasons of the year he rather courts the
opportunity OF being sent 70 the poorhouse.
That this Is the case, one need not 20 to
the West 10 be convinced; but as the tramp
is found In that section in his higher devel-
sal ~ flIt.
OF his character from the Des Molnes
(lowa) correspondence OF the Chicago
Tribune:
"A farmer yesterday visited 4 gang of about
fty-all young men. who were lazily loungiRg
about 3 lumber yard-to get hands TO work in
the harvest fields, at 81 80 per day and board.
Every man refused. and the leader said he left
the State Of Maine three years ago, and had not
done DAYS work since-he could live without
work And they waited for the first freight
train, when they all piled on 1t and went"
This Is one indication Of the lawiessncss
which may be termed ku-kluXism. There
l., however. another indication OF lawlcss-
ness IN some Of the Western States which
We have already referred to. II Is the de-
termination OF "A class OF men to prevent
the use of labor-savlng machinery. This
opposition l. so feared by farmers in Ohio
that an agent of concern manufacturing
reaping machines with "binders" attached
complains that the demand has partially
stopped. Farmers have received warning
that II they use such machines their build
hugs will be burned. Machines have been
destroyed in fields. Onr farmer in Hano-
yer county, Ohio, recently wrote an agent
of machine company as follows.
Upon my return home my hired man
handed me a notice which hc found pinned on
ms bain notifying me not to use or sulrr u be
used binder IN saving my graIn this year.
stating II did they would destroy the same,
also my grain with it-sigucd Many Laburcrs.
| nder such circumstances | must confess
felt very offi,h In placing myself in position
that would offer any pretrNt for them 10 do me
or nv property mischief. hence | say, do not
Keep the machine for me.
II a southern farmer was served such IA
notice, aud. IN consequence, deemed il pru-
dent not 10 pursue coarse which would
be most to hi, profit Il not lnterfercd wiki,
ii would be justly styled bull doing"
and the men who engaged In such an IN
famous Interference with the rights OF 9TH
ers would be called ku-klux. II i, how
ever, all the same in principle. II a man
cannot pursue his honest industry In The
manner he deems most 10 his advantage, Ii
Is only one remove further 10 order him 10
leave the country within week unle,, he
courts the shot OF the midnight assassin.
Il is scarcely necessary to add that the
tramp Is the logical result OF the teachings
of those who have espOustd Communism
In its various phases IN this country. There
are thousands OF men IN the county who
have been brought up without a useful
calling and TO dcspise labor, who will not
work while they eau steal or beg. They
lind in the Communistic theories. In the
ciamor OF enforced idIeness and in the de-
nuuciation OF capital by political tramps.
an excuse tor adopting a lite of vagrancy.
The growing evil of the tramp IS one
that must soon be met with an iron hand
unless honest and Industrious people sub
nit To be robbed by the increasing army.
Already they are in such force in the busy
West, where labor is needed, that the jails
and worhhouses will not coutaln any part
OF them Further. an ordinary prison l.
regarded as an asylum rather than place
OF punishment. What can be done with
them: IL may cost something; but i,
there 4 better means of dispOsiug OF this
presen, nuisance and future terror than
for States to unite to transport them to an
island, some sort of Dry Tortugas, and
there compel them 10 toll or s'arye! One
thing, however. is certain. The iDdustri-
ous people OF the West will not submit to
be plundered and intinidated by the tramp.
After suffering until patience can endure
no more, they will organize vigilance com
mittees and rid the country of their pres
ence. But this is not the best way to deal
with the pest.-Boston Journal.
.