The Opelousas courier., 1889-12-28
SYSTEMS OF "oHEoKAeE.n

--
Joe Howard Thinks They Are a Nuisance.
Policy ofAHenesty.
Are we a nation Of liars, thieves,
cheats? If not, what Is the meaning OF
the universal suspicion which pQfEons
every brother S eup Why these checks
in street cars, these mechanical contriy-
ances in barrooms, these private detect
i've agencies? You remember what a
hubbub was created years ago when con-
ductors were compelled TO wear massive
medallions, with intricate mechanism,
supposed to show correctly the number of
fares taken. Theyslooked like 50 many
Japanese gods with bungling, oneroqs,
burdensome ornaments about them. The
directors suspected that the conductors
were stealing, and every time the con-
ductor pulled the spring that rang the
bell he challenged public scrutiny; and
the suggestion came toteYegySnind, sthe
company suspects this manfobea thief
and so they did ssuspect every man to be
a thief, and theysdoubted fhe accuracy
Of their mechanism as well, because CO.
verify and secretly they sent spoilers,
old men, young ladies' tender children,
workingmep Id eYeryepossible disguise,
to keep tally Of the humber of people
who rode upon the cars and paid fare
for the privilege. As.it*was IN Boston
SO it was in New York and in all the
great centers. The, system of checkage
in use upon III railways today is not
only expensive to the companies and an
intolerable nuisance to the travelling
n,,El;o G,4 q ds,.oo[ ;,,r,,o,,Snn 30 4ba IN
tegrity of eyerytman in the employ.
/ buy a Ticket from here to Boston.
and pay in advance. / pay So for my
ticket, and ri. 80, or whatever, for a seat
in q drawing room car. It should be
quite sufficient for me to give up my
ticket to a gatenan as / enter the depot,
and my other ticket to the porter in
charge Of the drawing room Car, as I
enter the car. Instead Of which, | am
stopped at the gate as I enter the
depot, in order that q gatenlan may
punch the ticket. I take my seat in the
car. In comes a train conductor, who
takes my ticket and punches it ia three
or four different places, I settle down
to read my paper or my book, and along
comes the drawing room conductor, who
takes my ticket and gives me another in
Its place, on which he punches the year,
the month, the day Of the month, the
number of the train, the number of the
car, the number Of the seat, my destina-
ton and the amount paid, an Of which
takes my time and giveshi1m Unnecessary
labor. We pass beyondsNeWEaven, and
another conductor comes, and he has to
punch my ticket, and another conductor
comes at Worcester, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the ticket. Then they c6n1esdi0ng again
and take up the tickets.
Come with me Into any 81. i bar
rooms, restaurants, i cafes. Time
was when a mancould oWifhshig friend
into d cafe, ordersMs l6monade OF what
ever he wanted. generally the latter,
throw his money op tho counter and
walk out, NoW1he has. n perform the
service Of a waiter. HRFing taken Ills
refreshment heswaafB WhAe. attendant
turns to q machine I'D thesback .of tie In
closure, from WITCH he drawB4sa card, on
which is stamped The amount To bespaid,
which amount isshoWn Id. 6llaring N&tttaEs
upon the machine as theimpresslon Is
Made. Thistle customer is Compelled
I'd carry sometinesla distance Of d hun
dred feet. AN ALL eysnts he FAUST carry
IT wherever the cashier chances 70 be
seated. He hands the check and the
money ~ 2 cashlsgs wipes MS mouth
and walks away IA other words, tthe
procedure that hisenaployer has no faith
n pun, anas pogn AZ a1d the sEslller q
INFORMED py tnis mecnaIlsA Mnlcn reg
lsteEs me amount. thas their employer
trusts llelshers or fllem.
And, akter asndochecks checkz
Ihieying coPaASters were supplied py
ingenious maohan1cs VITA little arrange
ments Dy WINCH Whlle pretending 20
register, fhey m;IsaiitX pocketed tne rare
without xsgasseElng: Harkespszg ~ s2l-
iesion WIN casnasrs caflnlf they Wls1,
defragd tnelr sInnleTelg; ms ysgy Week
Z hlan " Maapal aqLss SYaAscssu VI syeal1