The record-union., 1895-01-05
LET US MAKE NO MISTAKES.

LII Us MAKE NO MISTAKES.
While there is so much activity and
public spirit manifest in rounding up the
hobo. tramp and criminal element, let us
not forget that the call Of humanity is
still strong upon us. There are many
worthy men whose exterior may be
coarse and ragged who are suffering for
food, willing to work, and have neither
shelter nor the means Of getting it. The
people of the city of Sacramento will do
jury to these and in the general sweep
embitter still more the souls of men who
are down to the bedrock of existence.
There ought to be inspired by recent
events fresh outburst of the humane
spirit that will, guided by wisdom, sepa-
rate out the worthy from the criminal,
the lazy and the vicious, and see to it
that they have, for this winter at least.
as much as shelter, food and clothing
sufficient to keep them in fair warmth.
OF course, the honest poor man does not
sires to return value for all that is ad-
vanced to him. If he has physical abil-
ity he will labor. and will not reject any
form of honest labor, and this should be
provided for him in plenty. If there is
not in the public funds means that may
be applied to needed public work, such
as street-cleaning, waterfront improve
ment and filling Of low lots and the like,
then let us raise the means to enable the
honest poor man who has his home here
TO earn living during this winter. IF
we can raise money to entertain Eastern
guests, to give balls and parties and make
presentations, we can raise means to pay
men for labor that will profit the city
and save them.
OF course we are not to set up a charity
box to attract to US the outsiders; of
course our own poor are to be those who
are to be recipients of our aid; of course
the hobo, the thief and the thug are to be
made to fear and hate Sacramento; but
while we drive out the one, let exceeding
care be taken that we do no wrong to the
innocent unfortunate. They are human
beings, they have right 10 life, and
humanity bids US to see 20 it that they
neither starve nor are left unsheltered
from the storm. Let US not drive men
to criminal acts by stress of the de-
mands of the natural instinct to seek
food. We VIII write credit to the Capital
pelling the criminals and the incorrigible
tramps. We will make the letters of
that credit glow with the warmth of all
human sympathy, if we prove that the
honest poor man has nothing to fear but
all to hope for from our officials and COM
mittees of safety.
We have organized promptly enough
to oust the criminal class, the loafer and
the tough. Let us show equal readiness
to relieve honest distress. The Fedora
ton of Beneficence has done nobly; that
organization insures two meals and bed
TO all able and willing to work. But
there are some willing who are not able;
some who have families who need more
than bed and two meals; some who
ought to be helped to earn enough to get
up off of tue charity level, and set up for
themselves.
The worst use we can maksof men is
to pauperize them. Out of pauperlzation
is born Incidence, trampism and crime.
Men must be helped to help themselves;
they must be made to feel that what they
receive they earn, and that they can, II
they will. with kindly aid, rise to inde-
rnnnd OF, 20 nf ocrna dauraA.