The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-01-11
-. 900 TRAMPS.
A N.isasee and Danger IN 0erma.y--Orsssa
sfshs Trsop-wandevissH a adicrafssnes.


sfths Trsop-wandeviasH aadicransues.
From ae Saturday Rert.s
OF late years the number OF German
trnmps has been steadily increasing until it
h,sh. i no. ALARMING. In some DISTRICTS from
r pnr to o. hsss w daily inn
village while the men, arc busy in the fields.
and as their wives aud daughiers. partly from
refuse crust. no ineonstdersSie tax Is ievied
| on tho honest and the Industrious. 1t Ia only
attractions to the Sssabond which are sub sub
,ected to such a visitation as this but no place
ONE estimate tho number u tramps in Ger
many last year amounted to 100000. and the
20 72.oOo oS1 marks; and Enough from ,hs al.
hculty Of obtaining accurate Information 1t is
Of those who have. made the matter subject
Of study sesm to think it fairly correct.
those xayIsrers as Idle or improyidsnt, Many
OF them are honestly in search Of employment
best Intentions, but by degrees they are apt to
formed which Is contsnted to live upon aims,
c the orgies Of an3 so ' wsn %Sss
from place 10 place. not to seek, but to avoid
new to the country, 1t is no, strange that 1t
should nave excited attention. and that great
and by private charity 10 meet the evil. It is
from tho writings OF those who are actively
X,
little pam phlet by Herr Won INSTRUMENTATION. a
clergyman whose seif-devoted efforts have been
aa@ rev, s by eonsiIeranIe success at Whems
particulars with respect to the life Of the con-
H. cam boast Of t," depcent which is both
ancient and rsaspectablc. From. time i'm
memorial the Wnndarianr have been recox-
nizei as an ildis,inet period in the life OF the
German handicraftsnan and almost as
es-ary part Of his education. As soon as his
apprenticeship WAS over II used 10 DO consd-
cred matter OF course that no should Shout
der his knapsaek and go out into the. world "
seek enpioylnent, If not fortune; Unless no
youth who stayed at home was considered -
now his by right. With few 1 f3a.r es1t in I his
pocket and ali his other possessions upon
his money lasted he led ED n Hisasant a and
careless lde in the open air and the little
inns ireInented by persons OF his cass When
it reached n low ebb he sought for work in
some neighhoring town. How long he remain
ed in his new position depended upon circuu-
stances; In summer II was seldom longer than
his vasrant life. When autumn came he grew
critical ~ to the character Of the masters, aud
made fun inquiry, OF his com panons a. to the
he applied Tor work; tor ii would nave been
and snow Two or trae years would be pas !ed
in this way; and then the wanderer would fail
IN i1es nna elter return nome or sete down
The system had many advantages. 1t was
very bonehcial to the health Of those who We're
doomed to S"dsntary occupations that they
shou becone used To regular exercise. and
that so much OF their youth should be- PASSED
having roughed tia iitilr when young and the
journey itself, tho si< LIT Of distant towns and
workmen extended their travels to switzariand.
and even to northern ltaly-the constant con
and tue shifts taught by necessity. had all their
effects In brightenins. 4uickoning, and ex
various masters in different places. the intell-
gent Joarneymth might gain such complete
unattainnble in his native place, particularly
II 1t was a small provincial town. On the
rowing life were grcntly reduced by police con-
troll. As soon AZ youth had finished his ap-
which his master testified to his conduct and
attachments. Wherever he stopped for "a night
ties and was duly signed by them. Each OF his
new EMPLOYERS had to insert u statement as to
and the chara tar Of his wSrk II he was susy
OF insub2rdlnation or the slightest infringe
ns it was Impossible for the workman to lind a
single n n,ghts lodging without producing his
aged. and .ronRhs. and criminals found tile
character Of a Handwerksbursch difficult and
unprohtAbe one To assume.
II would, OF course. sometimes happen that
the wanderers money ran out before he could
his first y.ar 'ss the o ss
snrslessness but IT was more frequently caused
me ssa Wbs,s m Ws to be found
times the GUILDS made 2 provision against this
eventually, Iha traveller applied 10 the one
to which he belonged. IL work was to be had
10 the town he.was told where to 20 to seek it
IL there was none. and he was des,ita,e he
enabie him to reach, another place and
make new trial. When the, guilds lost
TO a great extent, filled, by the single mem.
bers Of the profession. The master tradesman
meal. even when he had no employment to
offer. The wealthy burgher who remembered
tho merry days when he. too, had often been
hungry ana footsoro. and the matrOn whose
SON was truiging along tho mountain WAYS OF
crnl II the worst came to the worst, the wan
darer had right to beg, which was generally
only. when they we're Far from home one and the the
need was great that the more respectable OF
but after tho first month or two most OF them
We're ready to receive voluntary contributions
were freely offered by persons Of all ranks.
ahsy we mere, healthy youpG a,d light heared
had been compelled to eg.-tcclien was their
cant name Tor it1they would often indulge IN
more Plentiful s sl s sunper and moro eopious
sary for tho support Of lie. BIT no one looked
Theg Wsrs as sna or
Ei.rjed their mild excsssos with, the same
Of %n tSs II dd to the Or
Yet tas harmless ar hsss body Of wRnndering crafts
which the great army Of tramps that now af-
Gicts Germany has formed, Even in the old
fb here weEs Of course SIack sheen among
soon discovered these. and kept their eyes
upon them, II a man was evidently living
upon aims, instead OF seeking employ ,nent, lie
soon found that the cood-natursd indulg snce
with which he was accustomed to be treated
had come to an end. An elderly wanderer was
always regarded with suspicion If he made
any any claim on pubic charity for it was Gener,
compel him to change his pnce OF residence,
he ought to have saved enough to he able to DO
SO at his own expense: and. without strainins
their powers, the poll go wore able to make the
most INDECENT feel that honest work was loss
disagrsehbe than n constant series OF indig-
mites and vcxations.