The record-union., 1892-01-06
A LOCAL SORE.

1t is a settled truth that prosperity is
dependent upon labor-that is the founda-
ton of all honest gain. 1t is likewise true
that those able to work who viii not
work when they are offered opportunity
to labor, are supported by those who are
industrious, the former thus forcing them
selves into the class that being without
means and unable to work OF to procure
work, constitute the group for which
charity concerns itself.
But the class able to work, and pre-
ferring to live in idleness, to beg, to
loaf about disreputable resorts, to live in
tramp camps and pilfer food and clothing
from the homes of the people, is very
large; in fact just now phenomenally so
in and about Sacramento. What to do
with these fellows is a question of pres
ent local importance. So many as can
be put in to Jail ought to be sent there
with promptness. But in prison they are
still leeches upon the industrious. To
feed, shelter and clothe them costs every
taxpayer his share. Now why not make
these fellows at least earn their salt. We
have changing that presumably is ex-
ercising this class of worthless. 1t is out.
we hear, cleaning street crossings
needed and constant work in the rainy
season. But is the changing as large
as it should be? Cannot the whole
regiment of stout loafers in the city be
put in such fear of that they dread most
of all things, that they will strike out for
other quarters?
Each one Of these fellows is a vagrant.
They can be seen in vagrancy every day
loaing about the doors of infamous
places, and at night sleeping in these
dives and holes or curled up on boxes
about the streets or blocking the way
upon the sidewalks. They do not seek
labor; they do not wish to find it: the
changing is the proper place for them.
Even if the cost of working the gang is
considerable, still they ought to be
worked, and worked hard. The true
rule of assistance, accepted now by all
who have given the subject attention, is
in giving labor to the loafer to give such
labor as is most distasteful, in order to
drive the recipient to independent action
and self-helpfulness.
Such is the horde of vagabonds now in
this city, they so swarm upon the streets.
especially at night, that it is really a
matter demanding very serious attention
as to what shall be done. Our local col
umns yesterday recited the story of a
camp of these loafers, who had stolen
bedding, food, tents, clothing, etc.. and
were living on the fat of the land. lust
over the north levee, at the expense of
people who work. In certain notorious
dives and dOggeries this same class of
fellows congregate daily and nightly, and
go out from them to prey upon the peo-
pie; and one of these dives, an especially
villianous place on the north side of X
street, has developed into a thieves den
of the vilest order, where these spouges
upon industry fairly swarm day and night
"a mingling of beggars, sneak thieves,
ex-convicts, tramps, burglars and gar
roters-who find there a congenfal home
from which they turn out to prey upon
the community. There are three or four
other resorts pretty nearly as bad.
1t may well concern the people whether
it pays" to permit these places TO exist.
waving all questions Of decency and of
morals. The vagrant, thieving, prowl-
ing brotherhood must have resorts: if
they cannot find them here they will 90
elsewhere. They are, as are all men.
social animals" and unless they can
have rallying points and dens of resort
they viii desert us. It is sufficient to
know that this same brotherhood makes
certain sections of our streets impossible,
except by the hardy, the police, news
paper men and other venturesome people.
along in the evening and night hours.
The dives pour their human refuse upon
the Walk ways, where they spew and
sprawl, and stagger and lean to, from
dusk till the small hours. They consti-
tute wall across the street practically,
and absolutely cut off travel by women
and children and timid people along a
chief portion of principal business
highway.
How long are the people to endure all
this? Shall not there he rousting of
this crew out of the city by offering them
work, if it is only breaking rock. with
penalties for refusal: or by swelling the
changing, and by closing up the resorts
where they have social communion
How would it strike the City Trustees to
puck up the necessary courage 20 WITH