The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-04
HOBOs AND TRAMPs.

The Blaine Tribune has been quoted as
approving Senator Forests bill for the
suppression Of hobos and tramps, and also
in statement that leach day this class
of criminals is getting more numerous"
and that "they will not work, and they
make it the study Of their lives how to
procure their living from of the honest
toiler."
All must admit that this is a true and
none too severe presentment of the classes
named, and that if they are to prey upon
the community by pursuing career of
crime or sharp practice provision should
be made for such punishment as will deter
and restrain them. There should be either
no punishment or such as will be effectual
for at least modification of the evil. A
penal law which is simply diversion to
those against whom it is aimed is but
m ockery--subversive of respect for all
law.
But when we are spending millions to
civilize and educate the Indians, and other
millions in efforts to Christianize the
heather of foreign lands, it is surely worth
while to stop and think whether a like
disposition, nationally exercised, might not
at least check this rapid growth of hobo
ism and trampism, if not to a very con-
siderable extent reclaim and utilize those
who are already enrolled in this vast and
growing army of social pests.
Mentally and physically. if not morally
and industrially, the average hobo and
tramp is equal if not superior to the
average Indian. on whose behalf our gov
eminent and many humane societies are
exerting themselves, or the average hea-
then for whom the churches are making
missionary efforts. Every observer must
have noticed that even when exposed to
the hardening effect of the chain-gang,
many of the waits have good faces, and
nearly all of them are fairly bright.
The fact is, that their ability to live by
their wits-to ''beat their way" as they
express it--affords evidence that they are
possessed of keen intelligence of misdi-
rected sort. and of good address Probably
in many cases their vagabond habits are
due rather TO miseducation than to inher-
ent vice. Probably many or most of them
have been early impressed that labor is de-
grading or less genteei than idleness.
In this view 1t would seem worthy of in
quiry whether these outcasts are not
worthy of associated effort which might
have sound business principles even to 3
greater extent than mere philanthropy to
sustain it. Would not it be worth while 10
consider whether by associated effort and
proper approaches many or most of them
might not be set to work chopping wood.
cutting sawlogs. peeling tanbark, burning
charcoal and clearing lands, or in other
useful employment--not by Hobo Re-
clamation Society or other means as dis
tinctive aud degrading as service in the
chain-gang, but in manner to make them
as little conspicuous rs possible, and make
these employments incident TO well-de-
vised plans for their mental and moral inn
provement and preparation for some per-
manent useful pursuit.
In this way, perhaps, many of these
people might be diverted from careers of
crime into channels Of usefulness, at little
II any pecuniEy expense 10 those engaged