The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-04
SEATTLE, TUESDAY. JUNE 4.


Massachusetts has eEofSea scHeflc
for the settlement of the tramp problem.
composed in part Of the colonist idea sug-
sested by Gen. Booth, OF the Salvation
Army. and In part OF the Pingree plan
for the relief OF the unemployed. brought
Coward by the mayor Of Detroit. The
Massachusetts, plan consists OF herding
all the convicted vagasonds and tramps
on a farm. ard setting them at work
earning their own living.
For this purpose a rocky and marshy
tract OF some 9.e9 acres has been pur-
chased The land can be ditched and
cleared of stone and made fairly fit for
agricultural purposes. To this farm ev-
cry tramp convicted OF vagrancy will be
sent for TWO years. Here he will be set
10 work clearing. ditching. building
houses, barns, etc, and assisting in farm
ing the land as rapidly as il can be
brought into cultivation. In other words,
he will be set TO precisely the same work
that new settlers In any new state have
been compelled TO do. If the tramp is the
victim OF circumstances and has any
thing in him at ali. he may. after two
years OF such discipline. turn out a fairly
decent citizen. He will al least acquire
the knowledge OF how TO make a living
on a piece OF ground. and how TO get that
ground in condition 10 raise crops. taking
IL In state OF nature. To that extent he
viii be benefited.
II is believed that the farm Will within
a brief period become self-supporting. or
practically so. It certainly can be so
made Il in the hands OF experienced and
competent men. For many generations
rocky and sterile New England farms
have supported families. ana their own
ers. by persistent hard work. economy
and thrift carried in some instances to
she verge Of sordianess. have accumu-
lated a handsome surplus for investment
elsewhere. II Is no uncommon thing for
the owner of little rocky New England
farm 20 have snugiy stored away in
safe deposit vault one or two mortgages
on Western farms. beside which his home
sarm would look like a garden patch. II
the New England farmer can support
family on this land and accumulate a sur
plus. certainly number OF able-bodied
men. working under intelligent supervis-
ION. ought to be able to raise sufficient
for their clothing and subsistence on
land OF the same class.
There is nttle danger of accommodating
too many hands on the Massachusetts
farm. The plan VIII Ice looked on with
horror by most OF the professional mem
bers ~ the unwashcd fraternity, and
they will he apt 10 az Old that state in
their culture psregrinations. The casual
tramp. the victim Of misfortune and hard
times may. however. be gathered In occa-
ssonaily aud many such viii gladly vel
come a plan which viii tend 10 elevate
them 70 The plane 81 self-supportsng and
consequently se!f-respccjing citizens.
Fortunately for this state. the true
tramp element is as vet scarce here. The
man seeking for work. although penni-
less and from necessity norced To travel
a1oot. Is not tramp. although he IS
often IN fair way 70 become 50. But it
woald not be Il had idea - take a leaf
out ~ tho Massachusetts, hook ana pre-
pare now farm refuge for the tramp or
for the unfortunate unable - ind work
or a livelihood. For that purpose sec
zion Or tNo OF the school or granted lands
~ the state might be reserved There
would be employment for years IL getting
az in cultivation. and under decent man
agement the expense 10 the state would
he llght. II would sc an educational Geld
% some value ana would III those who
sotourned there for while Cor the work
OF making homes FOR themselves en- the
unsettled lands ~ the state.