The herald., 1893-10-08
THE TRAMP PROBLEM.
AN ARRANGEMENT OF THE GOV,
ERNMENT APATHY.
The Necessity for Extensive Public
Works-A Plan to Issue Fractional
Currency as n Means OF Assist
ing the Project.

Mr.. H. G. Needham OF Newhall has
some decided ideas as to the solution
of the tramp problem which are pre-
sented herewith.
'What is to be done with the
tramps?" is the question found oftenest
in almost all our daily papers. while
armies of idle men throng our cities.
Many of these are honest working men
out of employment and driven to life
of wandering from destitution. 1t is
eaid the question of what is to be done
with them is serious, and go it is if the
organized government meet them only
with fixed bsyonets and uniformed
police.
That many in these vast armies of
idle men are hardened criminals none
can doubt or deny, but by far the larger
percentage are as yet honest men. but
fast being driven to lives Of dishonesty.
One of these travel-stained men said re-
Gently to the writer: "What is there
left for us to DO? No food; no work /;
no money. Ordered to move on ever
and ever until foot-worn, weary, dis
couraged and disheartened man will
commit a burglary and take chances OF
punishment simply as change and an
assurance of bread, at least"
What q land this of ours Men
driven to crime who long to be honest.
Were it not better that instead of
heightened speeches and prolonged de-
bates these representatives of ours
would speedily evolve some rescue for
these starving multitudes? Inaugurate
some system of extensive public i'm
provements; build heightened turnpike
roads and construct bridges; or build
transcontinental railways If you please.
But some would say the building and
operating of railways by the government
would interfere with private corpora
tions. Suppose it does. Is it the duty
of government like ours to protect the
incomes and profits OF few thousand
millionaires while the masses etarve
Are not life and honesty more than
profit and income? Is there any dan
ger OF these legally enriched men starv-
ing or dying in the poorhouse even ii
their incomes and profits be cut off for a
season?
ment, by encouraging such improve
ments as these to support the armies OF
idle men and honest toilers, or drive
them to acts OF lawlessness and then
support them as criminals? And
criminals they will certainly be, many
of them. unless something be speedily
done; for where is the man who will
starve while surrounded with plenty?
But some say the treasury is depleted
and no money to pay. Suppose it is,
are there not abundant ways in which
this expense could be met? Where is
the injustice in these days where the
masses are willing to toll for bread in
ehaving few thousand each from the
salaries of an army OF Office holders ?
And if this does not suffice then meet
the emergency as it was met once be-
fore. Was there not time when the
treasury was depleted and was not
emergency money issued to pay gov
ernment employees? And did not such
money buy bread and clothes?
There ia the inconsistency in our gov
ernment issuing fractional currency to
meet the present emergency, redeem
able in 20, 40 or 100 years if you please
And make it receivable, for public debts
or service. Does any one suppose any
such money would be refused by mer-
chants and dealers? And more, does not
every one know that If issued in small
denominations that only a part of it
would ever find it's way back into the
national treasury, the remainder being
oet, burned and worn away long before
he time of it's redemption.
Criminals from their own choice and
volition should be dealt with speedily
and firmly but the man made crimi-
nal in order to appease the hunger of
himself or wife or child, deserves the
sympathy and assistance of his govern
ment.
/ would not ask that money be given
any man for nothing nor. that soft
enap be provided for every disreputable
person that patrols our highways, but l
do ask that some way and means be
provided that honest men may remain
honest and still be able to buy
bread in this crucial hour OF
our country's history, and while
the public mind is aroused and in hearty
sympathy with the thousands of starv-
ing men, Let us not forget that for
years every city has had thrice as many
starving women and children-starved
with the sanction of the law; children
driven to theft, women to lives of ain
and shame simply that the nation, state,
county and city might gather in blood
money to pay the salaries of careless Of
ficials from the licensing of traffic
which carries only poverty, sin and de-
bauchery in its wake. And these same
officials today will fritter away days and
months in uselesa debate, while millions
cry for bread.
What wonder that God visits us with
such grievous times Gould He be q
Just God and do otherwise?
Something must be done, and that
speedily. or pages of our national his-
tory will be written before the seasons
change again that will not be fair to look
upon.
Have we men in high places who
value life above moneyed profit; who
love God and humanity, and will extend
q helping hand to despairing thousands; ;
or will they with prolonged Indifference
wait until these legally enforced schools
OF crime shall graduate their thousands
to march over this fair land of our with
knife, torch and bludgeon?
We shall see.