Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-06-19
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TRAMPH.
Kssay nssA ~ NE Laaeassss Rish sehssl
Csnnsaesssss Jass -, 1879, By Asiss
Minnie Hedges.

Suno 80 1877, ~ W.
Tramp. tramp. they are marching. Not
Sherman's boys, from Atlanta TO the sea, but
men, women and children are on the tramp,
oscoming vagrants and vagabonds, an eyesore
and nuisance TO the peace asd order loving.
But whence come they, From what cause
And what is TO be done to rid the commu-
atty Of the presen; tramp nuisances
TINS question has agitated our legislative
bodies during the past year perhaps more
than any other, and almost all Of the states
have q last passed laws for the protection
o. the citizen and the punishment of the
tramp. That they are on the increase is
plainly discernible. That they are fast be-
coming vast and increasing danger is
equally %. BY their lawless acts they are
making both life and property unsafe.
These people are not only increasing in
numbers out are organizing themselves into
syssemized bands, having regular modes Of
Were they honest men in search of an
honest living they would everywhere find
welcome. But large proportion of them
are the refuse and scum of our large cities.
VINO sieze upon the opportunity afforded BY
the harvest seasons to invade the west. For
aging their living from kitchens, travelling
from place to place on railway trains sliced
By sheer force they constitute an element a
iawiessness which challenges prompt and de-
cislve measures for their suppression.
Experience has taught that the greater in
dussry community has the greater will be
us prosperity, hence we say, every man who
does not produce something is drag to in
dnstry Check the growth of nations in
dustry and you blight the mental deyelop-
ment OF the people. Stimulate these indus
tries and you quicken the pulse Of progress.
which gives life. vigor and endurance.
scatter broadcast over q nation number.
less gang OF lazy, loathsome. unproductiye
INDIVIDUALS and you tap its Industrial. pro-
ductlve energies and the vital fluid viii be
drained into pool Of stagnation.
Xhere are many trees in the forest with
trunks 50 smooth that parasites can find no
mold Tor their rootlcts. But in this l9th cen.
fury with its boosted civilization. trees are
grown with bark SO rough affordine such good
hold TO that class of plants that they flourish
20 the complete absorption Of the life blood
TIL the motley assemblage of verdure envel
opes and hides the once glorious and
symmetrical tree.
Luxury and idleness are the inveterate foes
o. health and longevity; privation and toll
II NOT carried to excess, promote health and
long life. -
!, we should suppress this evil, because /,
throws On society a multitude of hungry. ma,
ked, destitute people who must be supported
by the Efforts Of the industrious and law,
abiding.
Il is Tar more benevolent to find employ.
ment Tor people teaching them to become
creators OF wealth, than to bestoy upon then
CUTS, thus rendering them mere absorbers O.
other mems earnings.
but our newspapers say these tramp.
wont work." All the worse for the system
that in the space of a few short years has &C
demoralized part of our people that they
are beyond the reach of our best efforts /.
it possible that the efforts of centuries has
only taken US 80 far toward enlightenment,
that three or four years win lead us to ouI
starting point? Can you, in such . shor,
time drive the energy, the manhood, the in.
domitable will of an American out, and gil
it's place with the soul of metropolitan beg.
gar? What makes people tramp? Laziness!
Can few years so completely change the
whole character OF people? Is industry SC
feeble in its hold that it flies at the breath OF
adversely?
This tramp question begins deep down in
the system. 1t has its home close to the
framework of society. It is said, occasion
brings the man. Let US hope it is true, for il
ever occasion called its voice is now heard ir
the land. 1t comes up to US from the high
ways along which the tramp ''piods his
weary way" 1t echos through the streets Of
cities, from foodless, destitute homes of thou
sands Of men, women and children. No,
from the homes Of the ignorant alone, but
men and women Of education take up the cry
that comes from squalid poverty and add
their lusty pleadings till nausnt else is heard
in our land. These people must haze aoork
Earnest, persistent labor, i the one universal
kew to sure and n-faiing areceas.