The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-22
PROFITABLE HUMANITY.


that is well entitled to more than passing
notice, relating to highly successful ex-
pertinent in practical philantrophy. A
wealthy German, of humane impulses, con-
cluded to make a benevolent and at the
same time business-like effort to suppress
vagrancy and the tramp nuisance, at the
same time making practical test of the
extent to which they were the results of
misfortune or of criminal Incidence.
With this end in view he proceeded eau
tiously at first, by renting several tracts of
land which had been unprohtably titled,
and then made arrangements with the po-
lice and municipal authorities to have per-
sons who were arrested for yagrancy
turned over to him, and with others to
send TO him the tramps who might apply
for assistance on the plea that they could
not obtain employment.
By this means, on a small scale to begin
with, he engaged a limited number from
these classes, warning them that while he
was disposed to give them chance to bet
ter their condition, and TO pay them fair
wages for honest work, their employment
and their compensation would be depen-
dent upon and commensurate with their
industry. They were further notified that
in case of their failure to work, having the
opportunity, information of that fact would
be lodged with the authorities.
These words of warning were supple
mented by assurances of sympathy and
encouraging promptings. With strikingly
few exceptions the experiment has sue
ceeded beyond his most sanguine expecta-
TONS As n rule the rescued waifs-in-
Guiding men, women and children-have
worked with a will; many of them with
enthusiasm. Most of the rented estates,
and several Others have been purchased,
between six thousand and seven thousand
people are now employed, and they have
not only been lifted from life of vaga-
bondage to one of more self-supporting
usefulness, but the experiment has proven
highly profitable to the benevolent old
German.
Churches, schools, libraries and places
of amusement have been provided for each
of the colonies from funds accumulated on
the cooperative plan, and many Of the
erstwhile Migrants are established in shops
and mechanical pursuits. OF the material
upon which this test has operated the re-
suits have proven that less than five per
cent were voluntarily and criminally va
grants and idlers. These it has marked
and consigned to their proper fate; the
others it has saved and ennobled.
The result should be lesson TO the rich,
especially the land holding classes the
world over. 1t offers solution to the va
graney and tramp nuisance, less expensive
and in every way preferable to the Jail
and chain-gang remedy. In Western
Washington as yet these classes have cut
but small figure. But they have invaded
other prosperous sections, and sooner or
later are likely to become sources of an
noyance and expense here. This German
experiment points the way for humane
and profitable use of their labor, in fields
of production, in a manner beneficial to
them and promotive of the general well
fare.
But to be most thoroughly effective it
should be applied before its objects have
lost self-respect by degradation to the
criminal or qaasi-criminal level. Work
should be provided for those who are out
of work and are willing to work This is
matter, not for the authorities, but
for combination of property
holders, capitalists and philanthropists. to
be managed on sound business principles
and with view to mutual proht and
public benefit. The old German philan-
thropist has demonstrated that such a
scheme is feasible, practicable, and in
every respect beneficial.