The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-15
Aim Piukertsn's Advice.

Mr.. Pinkerton-o,d Allan. as he waa
called by his friends-took great in
terest in the welfare of young men. and
we remember q conversation with him,
held several years ago under the shade
of noble maple in the beautiful gard
en- of his Monroe street home, which
left lasting impression, and a rep
reduction of which may encourage many
struggling men.
My YOUTH" said Mr.. Piukerton,
''was continuous struggle. knew
but lit e of the joys OF childhood; my
fate was work. When was old enough
to see the distinction between right and
wrong-and / think il children arc
properly educated they viii soon realize
the difference 4 obeyed the dictates OF
my conscience, and 10 that ascribe nv
success in life. No matter how many
temptations were paced in my way l
adhered to my principles. In political
matters conscience was my guide.
Early in life 1 enlisted in the cause OF
my native country's (Scotland) freedom
and when | came to the United States
became red-hot abolitionist. l have
erred many times in my lie, but have
endeayored to right every wrong unwitr
tingly committed.
F., ..Many Young men have come to me
! APPLYING for advice and assistance. My
! advice has been the same in every in.
stance. If young man is willing to
work and to lead an honest life he viii
be successful. have given pecuniary
assistance to some applicants, and
acted unwisely. A healthy young man
needs no pecuniary assistance from his
friends if he has got the get-up in him
which makes men of sound principles.
"a number OF young men just start
| ing out in life asked me for advice as to
what profession or business they should
enter. In every instance admonished
them to steer clear of counting-rooms
and stores. Ny experience has taught
me that clerks of every description are
the most unhappy mortals. as they are
expected to live and dress well on small
salaries. know of hundreds of clerks
in Chicago who are compelled to steal
and pilfer in order to keep up appear
ances, while industrious young me-
chanics save little money every week
in the year.
MANY young men from the country
are ruined in large cities, and my men
could tell you of scores of prom sing
young gentlemen whose honorable ex.
istence ended at the 5ridewell. They
came to Chicago with the expectation
of finding work, and being disappointed
they fell into the hands of thieves and
thugs. 1t seems to me that the news
papers of the country should warn
! young men against coming to large
cities. OF course. some are successful.
but to the great majority the step is
fraught with danger.
| young women also should avoid
large cities. When they arrive from
their country homes they are innocent,
and easily fall victims to the profession.
al Washers of the cities. Girls can
earn more money in small towns and
cities. Thousands of Chicago factory
girls and clerks in the dry-goods SoreS
can not earn more than five dollars pei
week. They have to pay from one &c
two dollars room-rent per week, which
leaves them a balance of three dollars
| for board and dress. The result OF
such life is apparent Look at our
| factory girls. Starvation is written upon
/ their faces, or If they escape the marks
of hunger you can notice the marks Of
shameful life. | have made several
! efforts to induce the newspapers to
/ call attention to this state of affairs,
but have been only partially success.
full"
The man who gave this timely advice
( is now at rest forever; but his word:
should be needed by the young people
of our city and State. We have seer
much of the sutferings of strangers in
Chicago and other large cities. and car
answer for the truth of MIR. Pinkerton'
statements. Every year Iowa sends 6
number of her young men and womer
to the large cities, and in nine case:
out of ten they return penniless anc
! ruined. while at home or in the Yves
they would become valuable and re
spected citizens.-Burlington HaUkeye